Ojkanje

Last updated
Ojkanje singing
Country Croatia
DomainsPerforming arts
Reference 00320
Region Europe and North America
Inscription history
Inscription2010 (5th session)
List Need of Urgent Safeguarding

Ojkanje is a tradition of polyphonic folk singing in Croatia characteristic for the regions of the Dalmatian hinterland, Velebit, Lika, Kordun, and Karlovac. [1] As described in The Harvard Dictionary of Music: "The ojkanje is a particular style of singing melisma with a sharp and prolonged shaking of the voice on the syllables oj or hoj." [2] According to experts, ojkanje is a remnant of pre-Slavic Illyrian singing from the area of ancient Dalmatia (today's Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro). [3]

Contents

In 2010, it was inscribed as Ojkanje singing in UNESCOs List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.

Geographical extent

Historically, ojkanje is found in the regions of the Dalmatian hinterland, Velebit, Lika, Kordun, and Karlovac, belonging to the Dinaric area, along with several neighbouring micro-regions. [4] [5] Dalmatian hinterland area is considered as main home of the ojkanje style and from there was expanded to other parts of Croatia. Migrations from the Dinaric region during the 16th and 17th century probably introduced this style of singing to Adriatic islands as well migration of Bunjevci from same area to Vojvodina and Hungary. [6] The solo singing type of ojkanje is associated most with the Lika region and surrounding Karlovac, while two-part singing is dominant in the wider area of the Croatian coast and its hinterland. [7] Specific types of ojkanje singing can be found between the rivers of Krka and Cetina (Drniška Krajina), in the regions of Ravni Kotari and Bukovica, in the Cetinska Krajina between Svilaja and Moseč, and the hinterlands of Trogir and Kaštela. [7] The mountainous landscape of Lika the Dalmatian hinterland proved ideal for the cultivation of ojkanje. [8]

Similar styles of polyphonic singing can be found throughout the Dinaric region of the Balkans, such as ganga, found mainly in Herzegovina and inland Dalmatia, and izvika from the Zlatibor area in Serbia. These enduring musical traditions show a connecting link among the populations of the mountainous regions. [9] Owing to emigration, ojkanje groups can now be found in western Serbia and to a smaller extent, Bosnia and Herzegovina. [10]

Description

The main significance with ojkanje is that it is not simply a genre of singing, but a very specific voice-shaking technique originating from the throat. [4] [5] Ojkanje has been described as "free beat singing" that is created deep in the throat and has been steeped in the culture of various local communities. There are two main ways of performing: individually, or more commonly, with a group. [4] Lyrics usually cover topics such as love, social or local issues, and politics. [11]

History

Ojkanje singing originated in its form in the Dinaric region. It especially thrived among the rural population of the Dalmatian hinterland and surrounding regions.

Ivan Lovrić (1756—1777) mentions ojkanje as part of Morlach culture. [12]

In the beginning of the 20th century, the Croatian Peasant Party began organizing folklore festivals which focused on rural traditions through their charitable wing. Traditional dancing, music, regional costumes were the main focus, especially in the 1920s and 1930s, with Ojkanje singing being an important addition. [13]

In 2008, ojkanje singing was nominated by the Croatian Ministry of Culture for inscription on the UNESCO Urgent Safeguarding list. [14] 2010, it was inscribed in UNESCOs List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding as representative of Croatia. [15]

In 2012 it was included into the national register of the intangible cultural heritage of Serbia  [ sr ]. [16]

Modern day

Over the years, Ojkanje singing was passed down from generations, with singers learning directly from their accomplished predecessors. However, the last century has seen significant changes in the traditional rural life, with younger generations migrating to cities and modern ways overtaking certain traditional practices, resulting in the decline of Ojkanje singing. [4]

Many folklore groups have been performing to keep Ojkanje singing alive. [17] A prominent group, "KUD Promina" from Oklaj was formed by five locals from the area to preserve and perform their region's local Ojkanje singing, [18] and their success insured them an appearance in the official video on UNESCO's website. Other cultural groups (KUDs) noted by UNESCO that are active in preserving Ojkanje are "Sveta Magareta" from Velika Jelsa near Karlovac, "Gacka" from Ličko Lešće, "Radovin" from Radovin, "Sveti Nikola Tavelic" from Lišane Ostrovičke, and notable people from Srijane (near Trilj) and Kokorici (near Vrgorac). Croatian public television has aired numerous programs on ojkanje groups and reviving the custom among young people. [19] [20] Examples of other groups include "KUD Petrova Gora - Kordun" Beograd, [21] and "KUD Kordun - Inđija", [22] formed by ethnic Serbs from the Kordun region of Croatia, but now perform throughout Serbia. There are numerous festivals and cultural events throughout the region that display Ojkanje singing to the public. [23] [24] The village of Prigrevica in Sombor, Serbia, and other places in Vojvodina settled by Military Frontiersmen has the musical tradition of Ojkanje.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Polyphony</span> Simultaneous lines of independent melody

Polyphony is a type of musical texture consisting of two or more simultaneous lines of independent melody, as opposed to a musical texture with just one voice (monophony) or a texture with one dominant melodic voice accompanied by chords (homophony).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dalmatia</span> Historical region of Croatia

Dalmatia is one of the four historical regions of Croatia, alongside Central Croatia, Slavonia and Istria, located on the east shore of the Adriatic Sea in Croatia.

Bunjevci are a South Slavic sub-ethnic group of Croats living mostly in the Bačka area of northern Serbia and southern Hungary, particularly in Baja and surroundings, in Croatia, and in Bosnia-Herzegovina. They presumably originate from western Herzegovina. As a result of the Ottoman conquest, some of them migrated to Dalmatia, from there to Lika and the Croatian Littoral, and in the 17th century to the Bácska area of Hungary.

The gusle or lahuta is a bowed single-stringed musical instrument traditionally used in the Dinarides region of Southeastern Europe. The instrument is always accompanied by singing; musical folklore, specifically epic poetry. The gusle player holds the instrument vertically between his knees, with the left hand fingers on the strings. The strings are never pressed to the neck, giving a harmonic and unique sound.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Split-Dalmatia County</span> County in southern Croatia

Split-Dalmatia County is a central-southern Dalmatian county in Croatia. The administrative center is Split. The population of the county is 455,242 (2011). The land area is 14.106,40 km2. Split-Dalmatia County is Croatia's most rapidly urbanising and developing region, as economic opportunities and living standards are among the highest alongside capital Zagreb and Istria County.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kochari</span> Folk dance of the Armenian Highlands

Kochari is a folk dance originating in the Armenian Highlands. It is performed today by Armenians, while variants are performed by Assyrians, Azerbaijanis, Kurds, and Pontic Greeks. It is a form of circle dance.

Croatian cuisine is heterogeneous and is known as a cuisine of the regions, since every region of Croatia has its own distinct culinary tradition. Its roots date back to ancient times. The differences in the selection of foodstuffs and forms of cooking are most notable between those in mainland and those in coastal regions. Mainland cuisine is more characterized by the earlier Slavic and the more recent contacts with Hungarian and Turkish cuisine, using lard for cooking, and spices such as black pepper, paprika, and garlic. The coastal region bears the influences of Greek and Roman cuisine, as well as of the later Mediterranean cuisine, in particular Italian. Coastal cuisines use olive oil, herbs and spices such as rosemary, sage, bay leaf, oregano, marjoram, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and lemon and orange rind. Peasant cooking traditions are based on imaginative variations of several basic ingredients and cooking procedures, while bourgeois cuisine involves more complicated procedures and use of selected herbs and spices. Charcuterie is part of the Croatian culinary tradition in all regions. Food and recipes from other former Yugoslav countries are also popular in Croatia.

Ganga is a type of singing that originated from rural Dinaric mountain region. It is most commonly found in the regions of Herzegovina and Dalmatia, but it can also be found to an extent in western Bosnia, Lika, Kordun and rural areas of north-west Montenegro. It is characterized by a lone singer singing a single line of lyrics, followed by others joining in, using a vocal style that is best described as a wail.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Regions of Croatia</span> Historical and cultural division of Croatia

The Republic of Croatia is administratively organised into twenty counties, and is also traditionally divided into four historical and cultural regions: Croatia proper, Dalmatia, Istria, and Slavonia. These are further divided into other, smaller regions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Central Croatia</span> Historical region of Croatia

In contemporary geography, the terms Central Croatia and Mountainous Croatia are used to describe most of the area sometimes historically known as Croatia or Croatia proper, one of the four historical regions of the Republic of Croatia, together with Dalmatia, Istria, and Slavonia. It is located between Slavonia in the east, the Adriatic Sea in the west, and Dalmatia to the south. The region is not officially defined, and its borders and extent are described differently by various sources. The term Central Croatia refers to the northeastern part, and the term Mountainous Croatia refers to the southwestern part of the territory; the far western part is known as the Croatian Littoral; likewise the terms 'Zagreb macroregion' and 'Rijeka macroregion' can be used instead. Central Croatia is the most significant economic area of the country, contributing well over 50% of Croatia's gross domestic product. The capital of the Republic of Croatia, Zagreb, is the largest city and most important economic centre in Central Croatia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Croatian National Guard</span> Armed force established by Croatia in 1991

The Croatian National Guard was an armed force established by Croatia in April and May 1991 during the Croatian War of Independence. Although it was established within the framework of the Ministry of the Interior for legal reasons, the ZNG was under the direct command of the Ministry of Defence. It was tasked with the protection of Croatia's borders and territory, and with tasks normally associated with police forces. The ZNG was formed with the transfer of special police units to the ZNG, establishing four all-professional brigades in May 1991, and was presented to the public in a military parade in Zagreb on 28 May. It was commanded by Defence Minister General Martin Špegelj before his resignation in early August. Špegelj was replaced by General Anton Tus, who became the first head of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lika cap</span>

The Lika cap, also known as kićanka ("tassel") or crvenkapa, is an important cultural symbol of the Lika region in Croatia, part of the Lika national costume traditionally worn by local Croats and Serbs. It is cylinder-shaped, with a flat top in a red colour, black sides, and often with a black tassel in the back.

Television in Croatia was first introduced in 1956. As of 2012, there are 10 nationwide and 21 regional DVB-T television channels, and there are more than 30 other channels either produced in the Republic of Croatia or produced for the Croatian market and broadcast via IPTV, cable, or satellite television. The electronic communications market in Croatia is regulated by the Croatian Regulatory Authority for Network Industries (HAKOM), which issues broadcast licenses and monitors the market. The DVB-T and satellite transmission infrastructure is developed and maintained by the state-owned company Odašiljači i veze (OiV).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists</span>

UNESCO established its Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage with the aim of ensuring better protection of important intangible cultural heritages worldwide and the awareness of their significance. This list is published by the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, the members of which are elected by State Parties meeting in a General Assembly. Through a compendium of the different oral and intangible treasures of humankind worldwide, the programme aims to draw attention to the importance of safeguarding intangible heritage, which UNESCO has identified as an essential component and as a repository of cultural diversity and of creative expression.

Croatian dance traditionally refers to a category of folk-dances, the most common being the kolo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Croatian national costume</span>

Croatian national costume, also called as Croatian traditional clothing or Croatian dress, refers to the traditional clothing worn by Croats living in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, with smaller communities in Hungary, Austria, Montenegro, and Romania. Since today Croats wear Western-style clothing on a daily basis, the national costumes are most often worn with connection to special events and celebrations, mostly at ethnic festivals, religious holidays, weddings, and by dancing groups who dance the traditional Croatian kolo, or circle dance.

The Register of Cultural Goods of the Republic of Croatia has been established in 1999. The Croatian Ministry of Culture is responsible for the administration of this public register, which has been created according to the Act on the protection and preservation of cultural goods of 1999. The register is a comprehensive list of all cultural monuments under national protection.

The term Vlachs was initially used in medieval Croatian and Venetian history for a Romance-speaking pastoralist community, called "Vlachs" and "Morlachs", inhabiting the mountains and lands of the Croatian Kingdom and the Republic of Venice from the early 14th century. By the end of the 15th century they were highly assimilated with the Slavs and lost their language or were at least bilingual, while some communities managed to preserve and continue to speak their language (Istro-Romanians).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cossack songs</span>

Cossack songs are folk songs which were created by Cossacks.

Atanasije Ljubojević or Ljubović was the Serbian Orthodox Metropolitan of Dabar-Bosnia from 1681, and then the bishop of the Orthodox Serbs in the Venetian areas in the Dalmatian hinterland and the Habsburg areas in Gornja Krajina. He is recorded in history as the only diocesan archbishop from the time of the renewed Serbian Patriarchate (1557-1766) who performed the diocesan service under Turkish, Venetian and Habsburg rule.

References

  1. "UNESCO - Ojkanje singing". ich.unesco.org. Retrieved 2020-02-05.
  2. Don Michael Randel (2003). The Harvard Dictionary of Music. Harvard University Press. pp. 227–. ISBN   978-0-674-01163-2.
  3. "Culturenet.hr - Ojkanje na UN-ovom popisu zaštićene baštine". www.culturenet.hr. Retrieved 2019-10-19.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Croatia (November 2010). "Urgent Safeguarding List: Nomination file no. 00320": 2–3.{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  5. 1 2 Jaramaz, Dusko (16 August 2019). "OJKANJE - najstariji način pjevanja na ovim prostorima kojega možete naučiti i vi". Hrvatska katolička mreža. hkm.hr.
  6. Grozdana Marošević, 2006, One-part Ojkanje-singing in the Historical Perspective, https://hrcak.srce.hr/23185 #page=144-145
  7. 1 2 Croatia (November 2010). "Urgent Safeguarding List: Nomination file no. 00320": 3.{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  8. Boersma, Paul; Kovacic, Gordana (8 June 2005). "Spectral characteristics of three styles of Croatian folk singing". The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. 119 (3): 1805–1816. Bibcode:2006ASAJ..119.1805B. doi:10.1121/1.2168549. PMID   16583921. S2CID   717234.
  9. Jordania, Joseph (2015). Choral Singing in Human Culture and Evolution. Part 2: Comparative Perspectives: LAP Lambert Academic Publishing. p. 245. ISBN   978-3659488412.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  10. Hina/HRT. "Festival ojkače u Petrinji održan bez incidenata". HRT Vijesti. Retrieved 1 December 2019.
  11. Croatia (November 2010). "Urgent Safeguarding List: Nomination file no. 00320": 5.{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  12. Stjepan Gunjača (1979). Ivan Lovric i njegovo doba : Referati i saopcenja sa znanstvenog skupa. Kulturno drustvo "Cetinjanin". p. 335. ojkanje
  13. Croatia (November 2010). "Urgent Safeguarding List: Nomination file no. 00320": 4.{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  14. Croatian Ministry of Culture (2008). "Ojkanje singing: Nomination for inscription on the Urgent Safeguarding list". unesco (at Youtube). Retrieved 8 November 2010.
  15. UNESCO Culture Sector. "Ojkanje singing". UNESCO . Retrieved 16 November 2010.
  16. 2. večer ojkanja
  17. Recept ojkalice: Jedan potra, drugi priuzme i trese, a onda svi gonimo do kraja
  18. Štefelić, Ivana. "Ojkanje oslobađa i dušu i glas". HRT Magazin. Hrvatska Radiotelevizija. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
  19. Šuvak, Vedran. "Mladi pokazuju sve veći interes za ojkanje". HRT. Hrvatska Radiotelevizija. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
  20. Sjeničarska zabava Retrieved on 2 March 2016
  21. Izvorna grupa Kordun Inđija Retrieved on 2 March 2016
  22. Četvrti sabor ojkavice: "Ajde, brate, zapivaj polako..."
  23. "Croat Veterans Accused of Silencing Serbian Songs". Balkan Insight. 2018-08-23. Retrieved 2019-10-19.