Carnivals of Pojani/ Tradition inherited by young people from generation to generation

2025-01-07 13:56:00, Qyteti im CNA

Carnivals of Pojani/ Tradition inherited by young people from generation to

"Rite of Roads" is a long-standing tradition that is kept alive year after year in Pojan i Maliqi. The Carnival of Pojan represented by this rite takes place every January 7 in this area, as a thousand-year-old pagan rite, one day after the celebration of the Holy Water. Residents of the area have gathered in the center of the village, many in number, waiting for the "street walkers" who went to every house where according to tradition it is said that they drive away evil.

The scary costumes that have been preserved from generation to generation and with fanaticism by the residents remain special, but there have also been young people who have prepared their own costumes. These celebrations symbolically drive away evil, fear and ironize the reality in which we live.

Some of the characters of this rite are the old man and the old woman, the bride and the groom, the bear and many others who convey different messages. These characters themselves have shown the characteristics of the characters they have brought to this rite, saying that this rite drives away evil and brings prosperity.

"I am the old man. He is the leader of all, he leads the way first. I also have the old woman who helps me from behind. He is the doctor who, when the old man and the old woman fall ill, helps them. They drive away evil and bring prosperity."

"It is a pagan holiday passed down from generation to generation and we try to continue the tradition. I am the old woman, we have the bear, Marko, the doctor. The role of the old woman is to protect the old man so they don't get taken away from me."

"We wish you joy and a good year. We come back year after year as characters. It's not difficult to make these characters. We got together and then went door to door."

For the organizer of this party, Xhafer Gjyshllari, there was no lack of thanks for the young people who wore the costumes preserved from generation to generation, while he said that next year it will be a bigger organization that will also include small children.

"This holiday is many years ago, I remember that in 1952 when I was born this holiday was held and Pojani preserved it for the beauty of God and now we are extending it even more. We give more priority to this holiday to keep alive the old traditions of our village. I will thank you because they do not get tired, this year it is good that it is not raining or snowing, but they have passed worries even in snow and rain and so be it united. There are even more opportunities that you will see in other outfits. By organizing other groups to be 4-5 groups, where even the little ones give more life."

Pojan village of Maliq Municipality inherits this holiday for hundreds of years. It is organized one day after the blessed water and, as is customary, it is accompanied by traditional clothing as well as dance and song, thus bringing a festive atmosphere to the streets of the village./ CNA