New Year’s Day. January 1-2. This is a time to bid the old
year goodbye by gathering at friend’s or family’s homes and sharing traditional
foods together. Bars and restaurants are often filled with partiers, and at the
stroke of midnight, people will spill into the streets, often with drinks in
hand, to shout and yell, bringing in the new year. Fireworks light up the sky
in its own reverie. Children look forward with anticipation to receiving gifts
from the adults at this time as well.
Christmas [Orthodox]. January 7. In Orthodox tradition, they
celebrate Christmas on this day, based on an older calendar. Many will also
take part of a 40-day fast prior to the day and start their celebrations with
an elaborate feast after attending a special church service in honor of the day.
An old tradition is the cutting of oak branches used to start large bonfires in
front of churches and homes, thought to bring warmth, love, and harmony to the
community. Some carry on the tradition of baking a gold coin into a loaf of
bread, and whoever receives the gold coin gets special well-wishes for the
coming year.
Republic Day [Republika Srpska]. January 9. Bosnia-Herzegovina is divided into two main
“states” if you will: Republika Srpska and the Federation of Bosnia and
Herzegovina. The Repubilka Srpska more or less follows the border across the
northern and eastern sections and is divided in two by the small District
Brčko. The main city in the region is
Banja Luka. Basically this region (comprised mostly of the Serbian population of
Bosnia-Herzegovina) decided to celebrate Independence Day on this day.
Old New Year. January
14. Many of the former Soviet countries, as well as Bosnia-Herzegovina celebrate
what’s known as the Old New Year or Orthodox New Year. (Another source called
it Serbian New Year.) It’s based on the Julian calendar, the calendar used
before agreeing to switch over to the currently-used Gregorian calendar in
1918. On this day, many local rock bands perform concerts prior to a firework
display at midnight.
Mevlud (Prophet’s Birthday) [Muslim]. Varies. This holiday
celebrates the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday. Bosnian Muslims will go to their mosques
for special prayers, and some may also sprinkle the people with rosewater while
incense fills the atmosphere. Originally, Bosnians sung in Turkish, but since
then the lyrics have been translated into Bosnian.
Independence Day [Federation of
Bosnia and Herzegovina]. March 1. This
day marks the independence of Bosnia and Herzegovina from the Socialist Federal
Republic of Yugoslavia. This is only celebrated in the Federation of Bosnia and
Herzegovina (as mentioned earlier, the Republika Srpska celebrates it January
9). Many of the larger cities will have
special street parades and state-sponsored cultural shows. Since most people
that this day off, they are able to spend it with friends and family.
Easter [Catholic and Orthodox]. Varies. While Catholics and Orthodox
Christians celebrate Easter on different days, they celebrate it in very
similar ways. Traditionally, people
would fast for the 40 days prior to Easter, but in recent years most people
just fast starting on Good Friday.
Traditional Easter foods include a variety of cold meats and cheese,
breads, and of course colored eggs. A lot of the time, eggs are colored red,
although you’ll certainly find other colors.
Egg hunts are something of a new thing only in the past 2-3 decades.
May Day. May 1-2. Most
people have the day off of work and school, and commonly spend the day with
friends and family. It’s a popular day
for recreation and games, and traditionally roast lamb at picnics.
St. George’s Day [Orthodox]. May 6. Celebrates the Feast of
St. George, one of the most important figures in Orthodox Christian religion.
St. George is a martyr and is usually depicted as a horse-back riding cavalier
valiantly slaying a dragon.
Victory Day [Republika Srpska]. May 9. Also known as Victory Day over
Fascism, and most businesses and schools are closed for the day.
St. Vitus’ Day [Orthodox]. June 28. Also called Vidovdan,
it’s a holiday that encompasses a lot of sentiments. It’s more of a holiday for
the Serbs of this region, and in remembrance of times in history when the Serb-majority
areas were overtaken by others that happened to correspond to being on this
day. St. Vitus is an important saint to Serbian culture, who was also a martyr
and was the one who exorcised the evil out of Diocletian’s son around the same
time Christianity was being brought to the Serbs.
St. Peter's Day [Orthodox]. July 12. This day, named after
St. Peter, is a pyromaniac's holiday. I say that in jest of course, but one of
the traditions is burning things. Many use wood and burn torches now, but in
the past, people have burned tires to create an acrid black smoke, signifying
the past when people have been burned at the stake.
St. Elijah's Day [Orthodox]. August 2. Also called Ilindan
or St. Elias' Day, in honor of an Arab educated in Egypt. Celebrations can be
raucous, since it's believed he ascended to the heavens in a fiery chariot.
Traditionally, there are a lot of fireworks displays around the area on this
day.
Eid al-Fitr [Muslim]. Varies. This day includes special
prayers at the mosque and is spent with friends and families with elaborate
meals. Eid al-Fitr is the holiday feast that celebrates the end of Ramadan, the
month of fasting and reflection.
Assumption of Mary [Catholic – August 15. Orthodox – August
28]. This holiday is centered around the idea that Mary the mother of Jesus
ascended into heaven after her death. It is generally celebrated with a great
feast and other festivities.
Nativity of the Virgin Mary [Catholic – September 8.
Orthodox – September 21]. This is a day in honor of the Virgin Mary, a figure
considered highly important in the Christian religion. It’s been written in the
Book of James (that was left out of the Bible that we know today) that Mary’s
birth was too miraculous since her parents were past age to bear children.
There are many symbols used around this time, namely the fleur de lis, pierced
heart, crescent moon, among others.
Eid al-Adha [Muslim]. Varies. Also called “Feast of the Sacrifice,”
this holiday commemorates Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his only son.
Traditionally, people would sacrifice an animal and give part of the meat to
the poor, as well as other charitable acts.
People do dress in their best clothes for special prayer services at
their mosque and come home to wonderful feasts with family and friends.
All Saints Day [Catholic].
November 1. This is a Catholic holiday that celebrates all the saints,
especially as a catch-all to those saints that do not already have days for
them.
All Souls Day [Catholic].
November 2. This day is in remembrance of those who have passed on
already. People will take time to care for and maintain upkeep on loved ones’
gravesites.
St. Demetrius’ Day [Orthodox]. November 8. Also called Mitrovdan. St.
Demetrius, a martyr from Thessalonica, was baptized in secret since his parents
had to keep their Christianity a secret. He’s often thought of as the protector
of the young and those who are struggling with extremely alluring temptations.
Dayton Agreement Day [Republika Srpska]. November 21. The Dayton Peace Agreement was
held at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio in 1995, and set
the steps in motion for the end of the Bosnian War for Independence from
Yugoslavia that lasted for four years. It’s only celebrated in the Republika
Srpska, where businesses and schools are closed for the day.
Statehood Day [Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina]. November 25. This day emphasizes Bosnia and
Herzegovina’s diversity in race and religion and their vow to work together and
bring equal rights to all of its citizens.
Christmas [Catholic].
December 25. Many family decorate
Christmas trees with a variety of toys, lights, ornaments (including chocolate –
hopefully it’s not too close to the lights), and topped with a star. The three
Sundays prior to Christmas day is designated as special days for children,
mothers, and fathers. Christmas Eve is a time for elaborate meals with family
that include turkey, stuffed cabbage, spinach pies (which I’ll be making!) and
different kinds of desserts. Instead of Santa Claus, they celebrate by having
Grandfather Frost bring the children their toys and treats.
Up next: Art and Literature
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