#narodna igra

[songs-of-the-east]

Photos taken by Jelena Jankovic of the National Folk Dance Ensemble "KOLO" (Serbia)

[songs-of-the-east]

Member of Folk Group: KUD "Kraljevačka Riznica," Dressed as a Serbian Bride

"When a girl became a bride, the čelepuš would be replaced with a bridal headdress – SMILJEVAC. This hat was made by the bride, with her friends, while singing ritual songs. Each element on the hat had a symbolic meaning. The hat consisted of a string of money – it could have up to 300 coins, and it could also have gold coins. The presence of money indicated the socio-economic status of the bride. The upper part of the hat was decorated with various herbs (basil, mint, thyme, etc.), which had their place in the folk religion of the Serbs. Basil was considered a powerful apotropaic remedy, but still the immortelle flowers dominated the hat. They were considered virgin flowers, which also indicated the virginal status of the future bride. At the very top of the hat were peacock feathers. It was believed that the eye on the feathers could ward off and protect the bride from sorcerers. In addition, the possession of peacock feathers indicated a higher socio-economic status. Poorer brides would wear turkey or chicken feathers instead of peacock feathers. There were also pennants at the ends of the hat, because it was believed that evil demons would flee from the noise. On the back of the hat was a duvak – a towel made of thin, white linen. It had a practical function - it held the hat from falling off.

After the wedding, the bride would wear the immortelle every day for another 40 days, and after that period, until she became pregnant, only on Sundays and holidays. After that, the hat was dismantled, and the money was kept as a family treasure. It was used to decorate other items, or it was given to poorer girls for their weddings."