Cetina Region’s Masquerade Festival should have been held for the seventh time this year, as well as the centuries-old gatherings of masquerade groups in the Podkamešnica villages, which were supposed to precede the festival and the usual final carnival events. However, due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, it was all postponed for the next year.
Millennial photo of the Sinj region masquerades – DIDI / Šime Strikoman
At the Festival, numerous masquerade groups present themselves to the general public in one place. The result is a lively, cheerful, colorful, and noisy procession that maintains a long tradition, according to carefully and strictly established rules.
Croatian protected intangible heritage
Masquerades are the best bearers and guardians of carnival customs in the Cetina region. After the Holy Three Kings’ feast on January 6, they set out on visits to villages and hamlets. They are even included on the list of protected intangible cultural goods of the Republic of Croatia, which testifies how precious they are.
Podkamešnička villages are villages at the foot of Kamešnica mountain located on Croatia’s border with Bosnia and Herzegovina, near Sinj in the Dalmatian hinterland.
In the villages of Gljev, Han, Obrovac Sinjski, Bajagić, and Gala, masquerade processions are a unique and original way of depicting ancient customs interwoven with the sound of masquerade bells and other accompanying rituals.
Masquerade procession in Obrovac Sinjski / Monika Vrgoč
In the municipality of Otok, each hamlet has its own masquerade group (Jelašce, Priblaće, Živinice, Gala, Ruda, Udovičići, and occasionally there are groups Glavičica-Priblaće, Strana with masquerades from Ovrlje and Korita). In the town of Trilj, masquerade processions take place in the villages of Grab, Jabuka, Košute, Vedrine, Vrpolje, Čačvina, and Velić.
Masquerade procession in Otok / Monika Vrgoč
Masquerade procession in Vrpolje / Monika Vrgoč
Driving away winter and bad spirits
The carnival procession’s schedule is based on traditional rules, not subject to any changes, and only men participate in it. At the head is a group of white masquerades and wedding guests, then a group of comedies, and finally, with a certain distance, black masquerades.
The wedding party, which symbolizes the end of winter and spring arrival, was once led by the first grandfather (hrv. dida) and nowadays by the flag bearer (hrv. barjaktar).
Gljev / Monika Vrgoč
The masculine, pregnant bride, accompanied by a groomsman, is looking for the groom, which is the procession’s main “task.”
There are also married women, girls, and other wedding characters dressed in formal attire (folk costume).
Turk commands the masquerades, taking care not to mix white and black wedding guests, who must never be in the same place at the same time. The Turk and the aunt’s characters are associated with the long presence of the Ottomans in this area.
Black wedding guests / Monika Vrgoč
Behind the wedding are comedies, a masquerade group that criticizes current social and political topics without sparing criticism.
Grandparents lead black weddings. They are bearers of the fertility cult who, by simulating sexual intercourse, invoke a better and more abundant annual harvest, another indispensable ritual element.
Grandparents in Gljev / Monika Vrgoč
There are also mourners in the procession, mourning widows who shout funny and comic slogans.
The most attractive and impressive part of the procession are the imposing “didi.” They wear sheep’s wool up to 1.5 m high on their heads and bells around their waists. They are dressed in old clothes sewn with colorful fringes.
They embody the age-old ritual struggle of good spirits with winter, which they drive away with noise and jumping. With the loud ringing of bells, they cast spells from cattle, which, along with fertility and spring arrival, testifies the most important preoccupations of our ancestors.
Monika Vrgoč
Monika Vrgoč
Ivana Pavičić
Nikola Belančić
Rich and inspiring carnival tradition
This long tradition of carnival customs, which preserves local identity, is nurtured and promoted by the association “Didi from Kamešnica” from the village of Gljev.
The Cetina region’s carnival festival seeks to popularize the rich tradition of carnival customs, unique in Europe. Although carnival customs with similar themes exist in other parts of Croatia and Europe, they always embody the ritual struggle of good spirits with winter.
Therefore, “Didi” are welcome guests at festivals throughout Croatia and Europe and an inspiring motive for numerous scientific research, exhibitions, and lectures on the topic of intangible heritage. The famous magazine National Geographic brings the unique “Didi s Kamešnice” on one of its covers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v=5FGfSK8iyms
All photos © Sinj Tourist Board
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