FTX-604 - KALAJDZLIJSKOTO
Folkmusic of Macedonia
Recordings by Peter Kennedy of the International Folk Music
Festival held at Opatija in 1951. The performers were specially selected as
being the most authentic coming from the most remote villages. After 1950 it
was only the professional communist ensemble groups, approved by the Party leaders,
that survived, mainly for tourist entertainment, while the local customs and
music either disappeared or went underground for the time being.
1. KALAJDZ LIJSKOTO The "kalajdzije" were travelling tinsmiths and this craft-dance
represents the various work movements including the cleaning and tin-plating
of large copper cauldrons. They wear white trousers, black waistcoats stockings
and hats with black-and-white striped aprons. The 2nd. part is a close perspective
of the two musicians playing tapan(drum) and zurla (shawm). They come from Caska,
Titov Veles. 1.20
2. POSTUDANO ORO "Gajde" bagpipes solo by Todor Boskovski of Butelj, Skopje,
a well-known improviser at village dances and weddings over the last 35 years.
3.15
3. AEGEAN KOLO A mixed group from Sulimanovo, with violin, clarinet & drum,
for which both men and women wear broad tartan waistbands. Last part of dance.
1.09
4. OVCAR'CE, MLAD COBANE Two girls from Madare, Skopje harmonise in a style
more typical of Dalmatia: "Little shepherd, why are you so glad and so joyful?".1.49
5. STARO TIKVESKO A group of men from Kozjak, Stip, with tapan and zurla, perform
an oro, one of a cycle of virile dances prevailing on the highways between
Serbia and Bulgaria. 1.02
6.1 RANO MI SUNCE .IZGREJA First of two Ritual Songs by six women in two overlapping
groups, from Vetrino, Delcevo, chanting before harvest begins 1.11
6.2 EJ, MILOSE JUNACE 1.28 (Total: 2.38).
7.1 VLASKOTO Group from Nizopolje, Bitolj, perform a shepherd dance, characteristic
of the Wallachian national minority, with jerky movements 2.08
7.2 TESKOTO This is followed by the ancient "heavy" dance skilfully played
on tapan by a boy of 12 and clarinet 1.07
8. PESMA Love Song performed by Peva Sadina Ahmedovska of Bitolj 2.02
9. TURSKA IGRA Turkish harem dance by 5 young women from Ohrid to the accompaniment
of tarbuka, ut, mandola and def: two sizes of mandolin, tambourine and a jar-drum.
During Ramazan, while the men gather in the coffee-houses to listen to heroic
ballads, the women, veiled and in closed gardens and never in the presence of
men, entertain themselves with undulent expressions of femininity. 1.40
10 MALINO MOME Mara Grosleva from Galichik, Debar, sings "Raspberry Mine",
about a famous rebel, Goce Delcer, who is saying farewell to his beloved before
joining the revolutionaries on Mount Pirin prior to the 1903 Ilinden uprising.
3.42
11. POMINUVAS JANO MORI Mara Grosleva with a song about the "pecalbar" workers
who left their homes to wander far afield in search of work. 2.42
12. JUNAKOT Shkupetare men perform a heroic dance from Skopje to tapan and
zurla which allows great freedom of invention, expressing determination, strength
and courage. 1.56
13. PASTIRSKE MELODIJE Shepherd tunes on 2 kaval (wooden pipes) by Todor Boskovski
of Butclj and Mile Kolarov of Dracevo, Skopje. 1.42
14. PETRE VOJVODO A group of women from Miravci, Djevdjeli, perform a Revolutionary
Dance to tapan and zurla. It pays tribute to the "Vejvedas" (Chieftains) and
to their great accomplishments in the battle-field. 1.13
15.1 ZALI ME MAMO Two Wedding Songs by 4 girls with 2 kavals from Dracevo.
1.40
15.2 NEVESTINSKA This is sung when the bride is led away from her father's
house, and has the final "ojkanje" exclamation which is extended like a funeral
keen. 1.15 (Total: 3.01).
16. KOPACKA Men's group from Dramce, Delcevo with a short, fast and powerful
dance characteristic of the high mountains of E. Macedonia. ("Kopati" means
to dig). 0.50
17.1 KRALI MARKO Song, with 3-string gusle by Nikola Ilijevto from Delcevo,
which compares his sweetheart's complexion to a chunk of mountain cheese. 2.57
17.2 DERVISKO KOLO This dance is played on the 3-string gusle, called in this
region by a variety of names: "gadulko", "strga" or "kemane". 1.12
18.1 OJ BRE MOMCE CELEBICE Two songs by a group of women while making nets,
from Novi Djran in Djevdjeli, which date from the time of the feudal order of
the Ottoman Empire. 2.00
18.2 MOJ JANKULE MOJ STOPANE 1.08 (Total: 3.08).
19. STARA KRSTACKA "Cross" Dance by a men's group from Spancevo, Kocane, with
gajde bagpipes, begins in slow, heavy rhythm. As the piper moves in, the pace
quickens and the dancers lower themselves close to the ground, first on one
and then on both knees.1.00
20. KAPIDAN AVASI Ritual Sword Dance performed by male "Morris" dancers, known
as the 'Rusalije" (horsemen), with tapan and two zurla. The dancers carry long
curved swords and move with slow, deliberate movements, individually and then
linked together, using impressive cat-like steps. They come from Petrovo, Djevdjeli.
2.30
Recorded by Peter Kennedy, September 1951 with the aid of The Yugoslav Council
for Science & Culture. First published on Folktrax cassettes 1977.
