The Mystery of Vlach Magic in the Rural Areas of 21st century Serbia

Authors

  • Anđelija Ivkov-Džigurski Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad
  • Vedrana Babić University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sciences
  • Aleksandra Dragin Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad
  • Kristina Košić University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sciences
  • Ivana Blešić University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sciences

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2478/v10130-012-0004-9

Keywords

beliefs, magic, culture, Vlachs, Serbia

Abstract

 This article offers an ethnographic exploration of the Vlachs in the Branicevo region     of Serbia. The Vlachs rarely exist anywhere as a distinct ethnic group due to their     permanent assimilation with other ethnic groups. The thing that has always been     linked to the folklore of the Vlachs and still attracts a large number of people to come     and visit some remote parts of Eastern Serbia is definitely a certain mystery which     represents the essential part of the culture of this nation. Instances of Vlach magic can     be seen in the Timok area, all over Eastern Serbia and across its borders. Vlach magic     is a miracle or is miraculous, when looking at how long it has been present, its unique     rituals, beliefs, shamans and spells.     Vlach culture intertwined with pagan customs and interesting rituals, makes the     municipalities in Eastern Serbia mysterious places in modern 21st century Europe,     because the Vlachs are a mostly closed (endogamous) population which do not blend     with people of other nationalities.    

References

Barjaktarević, M., 1968. Osnovi etnologije (Basis of ethnology). Beograd: The Institute of Ethnography.

Dragić, D., 2002. ‘Vlasi ili Rumuni iz istočne Srbije i “Vlaško pitanje” – pitanja i odgovori’ (‘Vlachs or Romanians form Eastern Serbia or the “Vlach Question” – questions and answers’). In: Rumâńii sau Românii din Serbia de răsărit şi “Intrebarea Rumâńească”. Helsinške sveske No14. (Vlachs or Romanians from Eastern Serbia or the “Vlach Question” questions and answers. Helsinski files No14). Beograd: The Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Serbia.

Đorđević, T., 1922. ‘Iz Srbije Kneza Miloša’ (‘From Prince Milos Serbia’). http://www.paluba.info/smf/index.php? topic=13969.msg119827#msg119827 accessed 29 August 2011.

Frazer Sir, J. G., 2003. The golden bough. Beograd: IP “Ivanisevic”.

Greenwood, S., 2009. Anthropology of Magic. Oxford, GBR: Berg Publishers. http://rumunskamagija.blogger.ba/

Ivkov‑Džigurski, A., Romelić, J., Lazić, L., Dragin, A., Ivanović, Lj., 2011. Folklorno nasleđe u turizmu Srema (Folklore Heritage in the Tourism of Srem), Novi Sad: Prirodno-matematički fakultet, Departman za geografiju, turizam i hotelijerstvo.

Ivkov, A., 2007. Geografske osnove etnologije, Novi Sad: Prirodno-matematički fakultet, Departman za geografiju, turizam i hotelijerstvo.

Jojic Pavlovski, J., 2009. Vlaška magija (Vlach magic). Novi Sad: Prometej.

Jović, E., 2011. ‘Vlasi – život, običaji, magija’ (‘Vlachs – life, customs, magic’). http://www.vitovnica.com/vlasi.pdf accessed 26 August 2011.

Kanic, F., 1986. Srbija – zemlja i stanovništvo (Serbia – a country and population), Beograd: Srpska književna zadruga.

Malinowski, B., 1948. Magic, Science and Religion. Glencoe, IL: Free Press.

Mauss, M., 2001. Magic. London: Routledge.

Michalička, V., 2010. ‘Field Research as Village Community’s Cultural Awareness Identification Tool’. Glasnik Etnografskog instituta SANU. LVIII (2): 91‒96.

Paunovic, B. B., 2001. The Vlachs throughout the Ages. Cuprija: Copyright edition.

Roksandić, D.. 2003. Triplex Confinium. Zagreb: Barbat.

Ružica, M., 2006. The Balkan Vlachs/Aromanians – Awakening, National Policies, Assimilation. Paper presented at the ASN Conference Globalization, Nationalism and ethnic conflicts in the Balkans and its regional context. Belgrade, 28‒30 September.

Sikić-Mićanović, L., 2009. ‘Women’s Contribution to Rural Development in Croatia. Roles, Participation and Obstacles’. Eastern European Countryside. Vol. 15: 75‒90.

Stoianovich, T., 1960. ‘The Conquering Balkan Orthodox Merchants’. Journal of Economic History. Vol. 20 (2/June 1960).

Stojanjelović, D., Miljković Đ., Stepanović M., 2008. Šamanizam kao turistički potencijal Istočne Srbije (Shamanism as a tourist potential of Eastern Serbia), Paper presented at the International Conference: Contemporary Trends in Tourism, Hospitality and Gastronomy, Novi Sad, 9‒12 October.

Tomka, D., 1998. Kultura kroz prostor, vreme i turizam (Culture through space, time and tourism). Novi Sad: Prirodno-matematički fakultet, Institut za geografiju.

Trifunoski, F. J., 1990. Moskopolje – uništena hrišćanska varoš u Albaniji (Moskopolje – the destroyed Christian town in Albania). Paper presented at the International Conference: The population of Slavic origin in Albania. Cetinje, 21‒23 June.

Vuković, N., Vukmirović, D., Radojčić, Z., 2002. SPSS praktikum, laboratorija za statistiku (SPSS Practicum, Laboratory of Statistics). Fakultet organizacionih nauka, Univerzitet u Beogradu: Beograd.

Winnifrith, T. J., 1988. The Vlachs: The History of a Balkan People. New York: St. Martin’s Press.

Eastern European Countryside

Published

2014-04-14

How to Cite

1.
IVKOV-DŽIGURSKI, Anđelija, BABIĆ, Vedrana, DRAGIN, Aleksandra, KOŠIĆ, Kristina and BLEŠIĆ, Ivana. The Mystery of Vlach Magic in the Rural Areas of 21st century Serbia. Eastern European Countryside. Online. 14 April 2014. Vol. 18, pp. 61-84. [Accessed 29 June 2025]. DOI 10.2478/v10130-012-0004-9.

Issue

Vol. 18 (2012)

Section

Research Reports and Materials

Stats

Number of views and downloads: 0
Number of citations: 0