The Women Ritual Processions "Lazarki" in Macedonia

• Main Author: F. Petkovski
• Format: Article
• Language: Bulgarian
• Published: SCS Consulting Ltd. 2014-06-01
• Series: Venec
• Subjects: lazarki; folk rituals
• Online Access: http://www.venets.org/getfile.php?id=175

This work reviews an interesting appearance of ritual processions on the Balkan Peninsula that has succeeded to maintain and keep the practice through vast period of transformations, changes and cultural developments. The women’s processions “Lazarki” (Лазарки in original or “Lazarici”, “Lazorki”, “Lazarinki”, “Lazarenki”, “Lazara” depending of the ethnic regions in Macedonia, appear as one of the most famous ritual practices in Macedonia that have maintained to survive their tradition even today. As a most adequate term, I will simply use the name “Lazarki”. These women’s ritual processions are famous in most of the countries on the Balkan such as Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece, Albania etc. performed by a group of girls that use a certain text or melody, as well as dancing or theatre elements as a basic and inextricable element (Maletic, 1986). The ritual is performed in motion while the girls are singing ritual songs or doing a ritual dance while traveling throughout the village or performing in the yard of a family that they have come to bless. The basic factor for this performance is the moment through which the ritual procession contributes towards the overall goods of the family, and as return, the group is rewarded with gifts such as food, clothing or money.