“SLAVA” OF THE KINDRED — THE FAVORITE HOLIDAY OF THE SERBIANS

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Key words
holiday, Slava, Serbs, family custom,.patron saint day, traditions
Author
MARIAM KERIMOVA
About the Author
MARIAM KERIMOVA
E-mail: mkerimova@yandex.ru
Tel.: +7 (495) 954-93-43
32a, Leninskiy av., Moscow, 117334, Russian Federation
Full Professor (History), leading researcher, Center of European and American Studies, Institute of
Ethnology and Anthropology named after N. N. Miklukho-Maklay, Russian Academy of Sciences
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 “Slava” [literally “Glory, Glorification”], otherwise “Krsnoime” [literally “Christian Name”] is a family Serb festival, dedicated to each kindred’s mythical ancestor, considered as a protector of all his living descendents and their property. Nowadays “Slava” is celebrated annually on certain days in honor of definite Orthodox Saints — each of them is a patron of the given family. Cutting and breaking of “kolach” (round yeast bread), sprinkling of wine over it, followed with wassail toasts to health of the host and all family members and relatives, are main ritual actions of the current celebration. Analysis of the ceremonialism of “Slava” in its local diversity proves that the majority of ritual actions dates back to fertility magic and retains economic meaning everywhere. The ritual reflects ancient remnants and traces of exogamy, vendetta and the cult of ancestors. The widespread appearance and deep rootedness in the Serbian national identity, typical of “Slava” celebrations, forced the Church to admit and approve this festival formerly, despite struggling against pagan customs and believes. Celebration of “Slava” obtained some features of Orthodox ceremonial rituals under influence of Christianity, but didn’t lose own inherent agricultural character. During the 19th — the first half of the 20th century, celebration of Slava within family and kindred circle was affected by class stratification of the rural environment. Property inequality affected on duration and scope of the festival affordable for families. Despite dissolve of the original meaning of the “Slava” feast, whereas it has acquired entertainment features, it remains the most favorite holiday among the Serbs, moreover, a key symbol of the Serbian ethnic identity, and a key item of the national intangible heritage.

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