Professional paper
ANNUAL CUSTOMS OF THE COASTAL BUNJEVCI OF KRIVI PUT
ALEKSANDRA VLATKOVIĆ
Abstract
This article was based on data collected during May 2004 in the area of Krivi Put i.e. villages of Veljun, Rupa, Šojatski Dolac, Šolići, Žuljevići, Škopci and Krivi Put. The data elaborate the annual customs of the coastal Bunjevci of the Krivi Put. This article is not directed towards a research of the origin of each of the customs. The more attention was paid to ‘life’ and existence of customs in present times amongst families, which still live in the villages of Krivi Put as well as amongst families who emigrated from this area and they live in Senj and Rijeka. The author tried to record the interpretation and changes of meaning of particular customs during time and in different surroundings, but primarily in the villages in the area of Krivi Put and by emigrated Bunjevci families in urban centres. The author also paid attention to the parallel existence of pre-Christian and Christian elements in annual customs. The people with whom the author spoke about some customs described them according to their memory from their youth and according to the stories, which they heard from older people. These data were related to their childhood, which was at the first half of the 20th century. The data about the customs that they participated in were related to the period after WWII and they described the celebration of some holidays during communism as well as those today. Christmas, carnival, Easter customs and those related to the Day of Saint George, Saint John and Saint Martin are represented in separated chapters of this article. Customs and conditions of celebration of these holidays have changed today in general. It can be noticed that only a few elements from the past have been preserved. A large number of customs, which were presented in the article, were forgotten and today live only in the memories of some people or they are preformed, but in a changed form or with a new meaning. The reason for forgetting and disappearance of some customs can be found partly in de-Christianisation supported by the former government’s ideology, as well as in the migration of inhabitants, dissociation of local communities and modernisation. All of these elements should not be observed negatively because customs are not static, unchangeable phenomena and they change alongside social and political conditions. The changes of a customs prove its life in society where it is important that customs live. The customs give rhythm to daily life and by their repetition they give security to human existence.
Keywords
annual customs; coastal Bunjevci; Krivi Put
Hrčak ID:
17768
URI
Publication date:
30.12.2005.
Visits: 4.917 *