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During its long history, Dalmatia was open to many different cultures which marked its heritage. As Dalmatians were famous sailors they brought many interesting cultural elements from all over the world and tried to implement them to the Croatian expression.
Peasant artists have created Dalmatian’s folk dances, which are well known both at home and abroad. They can be classified into two categories: rural and urban folk dances. Rural dances belong to the Dalmatian hinterland and are characterized by the Dinaric features, while urban belong to old towns and villages on the coast and islands. However, the centuries of migration on this area, made these traditional dances pervasive.
Visitors will find something special in every village in Dalmatia and the beauty and diversity in such a small area is outstanding. Folk singers and dancers of hinterland are dressed up in costumes that are decorated with multicolored wool embroidery and silver jewelry. Costumes of seaside peasants and islanders are elegant and made of lightweight cloth, silk and gold jewelry.
Dalmatians love their tradition and are very fond of everything worthy that people created during the centuries: the old round dances (with a poem sometimes without music), dances in pairs (kontradance, šotić, polka, tanci, bali, četvorka, mafrina, mažurka, valcer…), sword dances and dances of the knights (Moreška, Kumpanija …).
“Klapa” or a capella singing makes Dalmatia special. “Klapa” is a group of five to nine men or women singing old songs without music, sometimes with guitars and mandolins. This kind of harmony singing is unique in the world. The old tradition, songs, dances and good home-made food and wine make Dalmatia a perfect place for vacation.
Text: Nenad Milin
This post is also available in: Croatian
