CHILD’S GROWTH CELEBRATED THROUGH TRADITIONAL CELEBRATIONS IN MACEDONIAN CONTEMPORARY FAMILY
CHILD’S GROWTH CELEBRATED THROUGH TRADITIONAL CELEBRATIONS IN MACEDONIAN CONTEMPORARY FAMILY

Summary/Abstract: The paper discusses the traditional ritual related to childhood in the contemporary Macedonian family. The following rituals are observed: the ritual of “invitation to mekici” – at childbirth, baptism, the preparation of “postapalki” – when the child takes its first steps, and birthday parties. The empirical material based on archival materials, field research, direct observations, but also on participatory observations, so called “insider’s approach”, has shown that many traditional elements of ritual in the modified form are present in modernity, so we can consider their functional equivalence as well. It can be concluded that the rituals rise to the level of solemn celebrations, which clearly show the consumer spirit and the prestige that is aimed to be shown. The new living conditions impose new rules of socialization, new types of associations, to which part of the tradition is transferred, therefore the categories of kinship appear as a cultural matrix that shapes the way people present their relationships with others.

• Details
• Contents