THE VILLAGES IN THE ETHNOGRAPHIC REGION OF GORNA REKA AS RELIGIOUS-RITUAL COMMUNITIES

Abstract

While abiding by the individual, but especially by the collective rules of behavior, and living in an exceptionally isolated geographical area, left on their own, the inhabitants of Gorna Reka (area near the border between Macedonia and Albania in the northwest) display a pronounced attachment to specific ritual activities. This paper analyses the collective rituals of the people of Gorna Reka at the level of the village community in general. The analysis is of the apotropeic, protective and initiating power that the activities taken have, which are represented by the collective participation principle (village slava - feast), the delegation principle (vasilicari - participants in St. Basil's Day festivities and dodole - ritual for inducing rain ) and the principle of individual representative (village godfather of St. John's godfathership).