Traditional "Kolede" Caroling Ritual Celebrated in Villages Across Mariovo

[wisdom01]

ancient Slavic tradition of "Kolede," where groups of masked young men go from house to house on Christmas Day singing specific carols to bless the household and receive treats, was vividly celebrated in the remote Mariovo region. Anthropologists from Ss. Cyril and Methodius University documented the event, noting subtle variations in masks and songs from village to village. "In an increasingly digital world, the persistence of such rituals shows the deep-rooted connection to agrarian calendars and community identity," said lead researcher Dr. Marko