Its main figure, known as "Kurent" or "Korent", has been popularly (but incorrectly) reinterpreted as an extravagant god of unrestrained pleasure and hedonism in early Slavic customs. In today's festival, groups of "kurents" or "kurenti" wear traditional sheepskin garments while holding wooden clubs with hedgehog skins attached called "ježevke", the noise of which is believed to "chase away winter". In this way, the presence of "kurenti" announces the end of winter and beginning of spring. Being a "kurent" was at first a privilege offered only to unmarried men, but today, married men, children and women are also invited to wear the outfit.