University of Massachusetts Amherst From the SelectedWorks of Joel M. Halpern 2001 photo contributions BONNIE C MARSHALL This work is licensed under a Creative Commons CC_BY-NC-ND International License. Available at: https://works.bepress.com/joel_halpern/142/
Tales from the Heart ol the Balkans Retold by BONNIE C. MARSHALL Edited by Vasa D. Mihailovich Professor Emeritus University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 2001 Libraries Unlimited, Inc. Englewood, Colorado
Copyright 2001 Libraries Unlimited, Inc. All Rights Reserved Printed in the United States of America No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher. LIBRARIES UNLIMITED, INC. P.O. Box 6633 Englewood, CO 80155-6633 1-800-237-6124 www.lu.com Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Marshall, Bonnie C. Tales from the heart of the Balkans / retold by Bonnie C. Marshall; edited by Vasa D. Mihailovich. p. cm. - (World folklore series) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 1-56308-870-3 (cloth) 1. Tales-Balkan Peninsula. 2. Folklore-Balkan Peninsula. I. Mihailovich, Vasa D. II. Title. III. Series. GR250 M38 2001 398.2'09496-dc21 2001029623
Foreword Vasa D. Mihailovich The Balkans, both South Slavic and non-slavic, have been known as a fertile ground for folk songs, folktales, fairy tales, proverbs, and other forms of folklore. For many centuries these literary expressions were preserved and passed from generation to generation orally because literacy was limited to the top layer of the respective societies, while the "folk" the true source of folklore were left to their inborn sense of artistic creativity. Only when a Serb, Vuk Stefanovic Karadzic, collected and published Serbian folk songs and tales was the world made aware of this great treasure. Karadzic did his collecting during the period of romanticism (the middle of the nineteenth century) when interest in folk literature was at its peak and had become one of the mainstays of the romantic movement. This made it possible for many leading European writers, such as Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Sir Walter Scott, Aleksandr Pushkin, Adam Mickiewicz, and others, not only to read and enjoy these gems, but also to aid in their dissemination by giving them their stamps of approval. The volume at hand illustrates the high quality and immense variety of South Slavic and Balkan folktales. The compiler and translator has collected tales from various ethnic groups living in the countries, and even in specific regions within the countries, that once comprised Yugoslavia. Thus, the volume contains tales from Yugoslavia (Serbia) as well as from Montenegro and Kosovo and Metohija within Yugoslavia; from Croatia as well as from Dalmatia and Istria within Croatia. In addition, there are tales from Albanians and Romanies (Gypsies) of the area. The reader is treated to a panoply of themes, sometimes showing a slightly different approach to a basic theme. Moreover, the tales reveal many themes present in folktales throughout the world, demonstrating that the Balkans is an inseparable part of the world community. For scholars in the field, there are suggestions of comparative possibilities. XI Foreword
More importantly, general readers will find, I am sure, plenty of fascinating and enjoyable reading in this book. Coming as it does at a crucial moment in history a time of conflict between the nations of this region the book will help readers understand the background and historical makeup of this corner of the world so unfortunately beset by war and strife. It will also help them understand that despite all the differences and confrontations, there is a common ground on which this area can be approached. War is transient, but the peoples and their artistic acumen prevail. This book is a powerful testimonial of the universality of human beings everywhere in the world, the Balkans not excepted. Years from now that testimonial will hold even truer. xii Foreword
Serbian woman and child in Bosnia. Little Bosnian girl. Muslim men socialize in a mosque courtyard. The white band indicates its wearer has been on a pilgrimage to Mecca. Photography by Joel M. Halpem.
Muslim women plowing. Washday is a social event in Macedonia. Fish nets drying in the sun near Ohrid, Macedonia.
Slovenian barn with corn drying. Bosnian man using a wooden plow. Modest couple outside home in Serbia with grapes drying beneath the eaves.
Albanian man and woman chatting at the Pec market. A Muslim rope seller and his Croat customer at the Maglaj market.
Muslim homes near Sarajevo. Steep roofs shed snow. Thatching a roof. Photograph by Joel M. Halpem.
Wedding party outside church. Serbian winter grave ritual honoring the dead with a feast.