Lazarus Saturday marked in Strpce: Girls in traditional costumes visit homes and sing Lazarice songs

Source: Kosovo Online

Lazarus Saturday, known among the people as Vrbica, is celebrated in the municipality of Strpce with particular joy and respect for tradition. On this holiday, young girls dressed in traditional folk costumes visit homes in groups, singing Lazarice songs and thus bringing blessings to the households.

Lazarice songs symbolize health, happiness, and prosperity, while hosts reciprocate by giving the girls eggs, sweets, and money.

Dana Dobrosavljevic set out to visit homes and sing Lazarice songs together with her younger sister, having learned the songs from her mother and grandmother.

“On this day, we sing Lazarice songs that both my mother and grandmother used to sing. We have around ten of them, and what is interesting is that each song is dedicated to a specific member of the household we visit. For example, we have the song Oj Jarino gospodjo, which is for the lady of the house; the song Ovde junak nezenjen, which is for unmarried young men; and the song Oh drugajle drugacke, which is about girls. We also have two special songs that are sung when entering and leaving the yard, and I must say that each song is beautiful in its own way,” said Dobrosavljevic.

Lena Dobrosavljevic emphasized that all the girls especially enjoy this holiday.

“I go to Lazarice with my sister. I love this holiday the most because I get to wear a traditional costume consisting of a silk blouse, skirt, and vest, along with a belt and a ribbon. I inherited the costume from my grandmother, and I think we girls particularly enjoy this holiday,” she said.

Ana Petkovic noted that she has respected this tradition associated with the holiday since childhood.

“For several years now, I have been taking part in Lazarice, and I have honored this tradition for years. Early in the morning, my friends and I go from house to house, singing Lazarice songs known in the Sirinicka Zupa. We wear traditional costumes prepared for us by our mothers and grandmothers, and I have respected this tradition since I was very young,” Petkovic said.

Vasilija Tiric explained that the eggs they receive as gifts are later dyed for the upcoming Easter holiday.

“On the occasion of Lazarus Saturday, I put on a traditional costume this morning and go from house to house with my friend. We sing Lazarice songs, and in return we receive eggs, money, and sweets. The eggs we get are later dyed for Easter,” said Tiric.

Janja Okiljevic added that there is a special song for each member of the household.

“On this holiday, for Lazarus Saturday, we have songs dedicated to all household members—for housewives, grooms, and young children—and afterward we receive gifts in the form of eggs, sweets, and money,” she said.