The Intangible Cultural Heritage of Macedonia
UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites is well-known, with the Macedonian republic being home to two such sites. However, the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage established by UNESCO does not receive nearly as much attention. The list was started in 2008 and consists of special practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, or skills that are part of a place’s cultural heritage.
Macedonia has five elements of intangible cultural heritage on the list, one of which is considered “in Need of Urgent Safeguarding”. We’ll begin with that one.
Glasoečko Male Two-Part Singing in Dolni Polog
Polog is a region in the northwest of the country, defined by the Šar and Suva Gora mountains. It is divided into Upper (Gorni) Polog and Lower (Dolni) Polog. The former is centered around the city of Gostivar, while the latter is centered around the city of Tetovo.
This traditional form of vocal music from Dolni Polog is sung by two or three men at social gatherings like weddings, dinners, etc. A leading melodic voice is joined by a drone voice, sung in a polyphonic manner and often alongside flute and/or bagpipe playing. The skill is mastered by talented singers who carefully imitate the techniques of their predecessors.
The Glasoečko is near extinction. The ethnic Macedonian population of Dolni Polog has been declining for decades. For example, Tearce Municipality in 1953 consisted of about 5,400 ethnic Macedonians forming 38% of the population. By 2002, the remaining 2,700 or so ethnic Macedonians made up just 12% of the municipal population. The trend of outward migration was not helped by the 2001 inter-ethnic conflict. The younger generations in the area have limited exposure to Glasoečko performances in order for the tradition to carry on.
Kopačkata, a Social Dance from the Village of Dramče, Pijanec
Pijanec, also known as the Delčevo Valley, is a historic region on the upper course of the Bregalnica River, south of Osogovo Mountain. Dramče is a village of a couple hundred people within this region.
The Kopačka is a traditional male oro (dance) involving small, quick steps and short bounces and kicks. The skilled dancers hold each other by the belt with crossed hands to ensure stability, starting the dance off slowly and progressively going faster. The leader of the semicircle has the most important role; younger men typically start at the end and work their way up as their skills improve over time. The folk group “Kopačka” limits the number of dancers in the semicircle to eight. The dance is accompanied by music including drums, a fiddle, and often a bagpipe. The drummers chosen are considered to be of the highest skill. Traditionally, the drummers were typically Roma (Gypsy), but today they are also ethnic Macedonians.
In 2014, the home of noted Kopačka dance leader Dimitrija Stanoevski (1917–2009), known as “Dedo Mitko”, was made into a memorial house. It exhibits old photographs, newspaper articles, folk costumes, and other pieces.
Feast of the Holy Forty Martyrs in Štip
The Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste are venerated throughout much of Christendom, but the annual commemoration on March 22 in Štip is particularly unique. The centuries’ old customs, known as “Četrse”, begin with locals gathering in the streets and squares in the city and then making their way up to the hill Isar, known as the site of medieval fortress ruins overlooking Štip. Along the way up, they stop at church to commemorate the Holy Forty Martyrs. Participants must also greet 40 people and gather 40 pebbles, 39 of which are thrown into the Bregalnica River. The last pebble is kept under one’s pillow at night. Musical groups perform throughout the day and night.
Cultural Practices Associated with March First
Shared with Bulgaria, Moldova, and Romania, these ancient practices celebrate the beginning of spring. It is best-known for the “martinka” made by women using two wool threads, one white and one red. The martinki are given to the community, who wear them on their clothes until the sight of the first swallow bird. They are then put on a tree branch, under a rock, into a grass bed, on cattle horns, etc. The martinki are considered to provide symbolic protection, ensuring a safe transition from winter to spring.
Spring celebration, Hıdrellez
Hıdrellez is a holiday celebrating the arrival of spring. Shared between Macedonia and Turkey, the holiday is primarily observed in Turkey but also by the Turks and some Roma (Gypsy) of Macedonia. It occurs in commemoration of when the prophets Al-Khidr (Hızır) and Elijah (İlyas) met on Earth. This occurs on the night of May 5 and the following day. In the Julian calendar, this coincides with April 23 which is St. George’s Day, Gjurgjovden.
Various ceremonies and rituals are performed as part of Hıdrellez, with an overall theme of nature. These customs are performed in hopes of protecting the well-being, fertility, livestock, fertility, etc. of the community for the upcoming year.
