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CARNIVAL CUSTOMS IN TURČIŠĆE TODAY: THE PARALLEL EXISTENCE OF FOLKLORE
Maja Povrzanović
; Institut za etnologiju i folkloristiku
Sažetak
The author presents and interprets the results of fieldwork on the
carnival conducted in 1984 and 1985 in the village of Turčišće (Međimurje, Croatia). The fundamental thesis of the article is confirmed, on contemporary carnival customs as an expression of the relation of village to society as a whole.
Little village communities are subject today to an increasing cultural
uniformity. The situation in Turčišće is a typical example of this process, but the inhabitants of this village have a specific response to it. Many parts of the carnival that existed regularly in the village from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century, are now much weaker or have vanished altogether. But by presenting them outside the village - on stage and film, the people of Turčišće become aware of their carnival requisites and behaviour as special cultural traits that are attractive to the "outer world". So this is why the carnival is then shown in fuller form. An excellent example of this is a television program on the Turčišće carnival made three weeks before the
carnival period in 1984. Using the unusual possibility of active participation in creating a television program (they showed elements of their carnival without the involvement of a screenplay writer or director), the people of Turčišće presented their carnival in the fullest possible way. By confirming their cultural identity, they became creators of a small but unique part of the cultural mosaic of contemporary global society in which most cultural content is mediated through the vehicle of mass communication. At the
same time, the interest of the "outer world" for their carnival enhances the value of the carnival in their eyes, especially among younger people who are more a part of that "outer world" than the older population. So this is how the carnival customs have been sustained in the village, and some of the elements that have died out have been revived.
The forms, functions and meanings of carnival events in Turčišće are
analyzed with regard to changes of their contexts during the last three decades. Meanings are interpreted that the carnival has for the people of Turčišće, existing both in the village and outside the village - on various stages and on film. The carnival in the village means entertainment as authentic play; social cohesion at the level of the local community; maintenance of tradition; the possibility of acquiring individual prestige status in the community through a creativity important during carnival events. Carnival shown outside the village is a symbol of tradition that enables a cultural, and therefore (subjective) social affirmation of the village community in global society. It also means the possibility of social affirmation of creative or, on the level of the village, powerful individuals; the possibility of acquiring individual prestige status in the community through the function of mediator between the community and the "outer world"; institutionalization of social relations within the village; entertainmentas excursions, and secondarily as play. So, while carnival in the village for the people of Turčišće means primarily play and entertainment, when shown on stage or through mass-media, it becomes highly valued symbol of the village's cultural identity.
Ključne riječi
Hrčak ID:
49323
URI
Datum izdavanja:
15.3.1988.
Posjeta: 702 *