Anthropology of festivities: Could the church and nationally related festivities replace the socialistic ones?

Mirchevska, Mirjana P. (2012) Anthropology of festivities: Could the church and nationally related festivities replace the socialistic ones? Acta Ethnographica Hungarica, 57 (2). pp. 441-452. ISSN 1216-9803

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Abstract

Religion is an extremely complex phenomenon, created of different elements - notions, myths, rituals, taboos, ethical principles, and thus it belongs to different genres. On the other hand, the religious feeling is a special experience related to a human need to give sense to existence. It is doubtless that in the basis of today’s value systems we can find strong foundations of religious moral teachings. However, it is also clear that their relation to religion has been weakened, changed or canceled. Religion and social changes have always been interrelated, and thus the changes of the economic base induce changes in the higher strata, including religion.The article focuses upon the situation with the “Christian” religious celebrations among rural and urban population in the Republic of Macedonia, during socialistic times and today. Based upon concrete celebrations, it encapsulates phenomena and changes concerning the collective festivities of Orthodox Christian Macedonians. Those are beliefs in non-baptized days, the Easter holidays, as well as ritual plays under masks. Though a continuous analysis, the changes that are part of contemporary life are followed, at the same time mixed with pre-Christian elements. Urban elements are mixed with traditional customs related to Christian holidays, as a contemporary and acceptable way of celebrating among people that have migrated from different areas, above all to the capital city, but also include completely new elements that have not been a part of the celebrations and everyday life ten years ago.

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