Istro-Romanian Community Worldwide

Žejanski Zvonćari, 1956
(Courtesy of Antony Sankovic - guitarist, middle row left)

Folk Histria - In Search of its Identity

[Žejane's Shrovetide]

Carnival Festivities are part of Žejane's rich tradition. Žejane (Seiane) is a small village in the hinterland of Rijeka (Fiume) and Opatija (Abbazia) in the foothills of the Ćićarija (Ciceria) mountain massif along the road which connects that region with northwestern Istria. The name of the village was mentioned for the first time in the 14th century. Today Žejane has a unique distinction in the region because we have saved the Žejane's language (Istro-Romanian) originally spoken by the inhabitants who settled in this region in the 16th century while escaping the Turkish invasions..

Carnival Festivities begins in Žejane on the Adoration of the Magi (Epiphany), when the first Carnival bells ring to signal the beginning of the "Mesopust" or "Pust," also known as Shrovetide. The most important part of this tradition are "Zvončari" (The Bell Bearers). These Zvončari are different from other Bell bearer groups because of their equipment and their dress, as well as of the harmonious tolling of their bells which are very pleasant to one's ears.

Let us describe their dress. They wear white trousers and sailor`s undershirt or sleeveless shirts. An indispensable part of their equipment are the "šuba" (sheepskin) and the three bells called "klopote" in the Žejane language. The Bell Bearers wear the bells on their hips (one on each side and one on the back tied together with a rope). On their heads they have a "kumarak" (hat) which is decorated by "bajera" (paper ribbons of various colours). The ribbons stretch down to their feet. The top of the hat is ornamented by flowers and small paintings adorned with love motifs. Every Bell Bearer has in his hand a wooden stick with a "boća" (a type of ball) on the top.

At the time of carnival, Zvoncari call upon the neighbouring villages and the houses in Žejane. By that gesture they symbolize fertility and coming of spring after long and severe winter.

Today people (young and old) of Žejane form the Last Day of Shrovetide Group, called "Žejanski-Žvoncari" (The Bell Bearers of Žejane). A folk group is also included in this group in addition to a musical group which practices "bugarenje", a two-voice harmony singing in the Žejane language. In addtion to the costumes of the Bell Bearers, there is the "Počrnjenka", the richly decorated peasant costume representative of authentic wealth. Historically, daughters of richer families wore this garment only during holidays and festivities or celebration.

Bell Ringers at 2004 Carneval

In this way Žejane continues the tradition and authenticity of the Bell Bearers along with their visits to the neighboring villages. These customs and traditions are preserved and most importantly are being forwared to our young people for future generations..

Mauro Doricic (edited by Denis Sankovic)

Žejane 84A
Žejane 51212
Croatia
Tel. 734-117

Source:

July 13, 1999, © 1999 Glas Istre, courtesy of Denis Sankovic
Color photograph - https://www.lovran.com/events/carnival2004.html - Carneval 2004

Related links:

Denis Sankovic music collection (includes samples of music of Žejane and Žejanski-Zvoncari).
https://www.opatija.hr/karneval/index_e.htm - Karneval u Opatiji (Hrvatski) - https://www.opatija.hr/karneval/index_e.htm - Carnival in Opatija (English), includes a sample of Zvoncari music

Other links:

https://top.pefri.hr/seminari/zvoncari/nasl_str.html - Zvoncarima (Hrvatski)
https://www.sigov.si/ueilbi/skoromat/ - Škoromati, Podgrad - Celebration of Shrovetide in Slovenian istria (in Slovenian and English)

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This page compliments of Mario Demetlica and Denis Sankovic