Baby bathtub – “kompacka”

3D Model

A wooden stave vessel oval in shape which served as a bathtub for bathing little babies. Only babies were bathed in this kind of bathtub, known locally as a kompacka. Great importance and ritualistic significance were attached to the first bath immediately after childbirth. The midwife responsible for this bath was called a babica. The activities performed at that time were thought to have a positive impact on the child’s future. Wanting the child to stay healthy and pretty, milk was poured into the water or a pinch of salt was added. After bathing, the water was poured into a place scarcely visited, over the side of kompacka where the baby kept its feet. It was commonly believed that if somebody did not follow such stipulations it might have had a bad effect on the child’s health.

ID no.: E/2212/MT

Time and place of creation: before 1939, Podhale, Poland

Museum: The Dr. Tytus Chałubiński Tatra Museum in Zakopane

Digitalisation: RDW MIC, Virtual Małopolska project