Lazara in Macedonia
Originally published on April 8th, 2023
Lazarus Saturday, Easter customs of Macedonia. In Macedonia, the Lazara custom is found in almost the entire geographical area, although in some areas today it is forgotten. The beauty of this Macedonian custom, is its uniqueness in every village. From village to village the Lazarki will sing their own songs, while the lyrics might not even have anything to do with the miraculous event of Lazarus' Resurrection. While the core of the tradition stays the same, it is these songs that make this custom so special. The Lazara traditions come at the beginning of Holy Week and are associated with the coming of spring, the rebirth of nature, and the renewal of life. During this celebration, young girls participate in various events, singing, dancing, and following the traditional folk rituals of the villages.
Lazarki of Nevoljani, Lerinsko
One of the most famous traditions among children in the Lerin region, and especially for girls, is the custom of Lazarki. Groups of girls, Lazarki, with wreaths in their hair and dressed in traditional clothes, go from house to house singing songs about Lazarus and in return receive treats. Below is the Lazarki song from the village of Nevoljani, Lerinsko.
Eto go Lazar da gredi, so torba biser na ramo, na seti delba deleshe, na seti delba deli. Na pashkarkata ne stigna, na pashkarkata mu veli: "M'lchi pashkarko, ne plachi, pa po godina ke doida, na tebe poike ke dela!"
Here is Lazarus, he is on his way, with a sack of presents around his shoulders, for everyone he has gifts, to everyone he gives. But he did not have enough for the last child in line, and to the last child he says: Quiet little one, do not cry, next year I will come again, and to you I will give the most gifts!"
Lazarki of Veznik, Sersko
This ancient, Macedonian custom with pre-Christian roots, refers to the Resurrection of Lazarus, the friend of Christ. A special aspect of the custom, is the one from Veznik, Sersko one of the famous traditions from Ser region.
Young girls, after first getting together and getting dressed in clothes and jewelry suitable for this day, were divided into groups of four girls, who made up the "Lazarki". They took with them a little boy, "Lazarus", who kept the basket with flowers and Easter cakes, where everyone left their offerings there. Lazarus called out "eggs, fish, flour" to be given by the landlords who heard the chanting, eggs for Good Thursday, fish for Palm Sunday and flour for bread.
Money could also be given. So the Lazarki began their walk all together through the village, going door to door and putting a white handkerchief over the shoulder of the face of the one they were going to sing about. If they went to an old woman or to a newly married couple or to a house with children of the marriage they would sing similar:
"In these marble-plated houses we came to, one is guarded by the Virgin Mary and the other by Saint George."
Lazarki of Drimkol
A long tradition that persists to this day is the celebration of the Lazarus rituals, especially in the villages of Drimkol. Passed on from generation to generation.
In Lukovo, the celebration begins on Friday before Lazarus Saturday, this includes the male Lazara ritual processions around the houses; collecting eggs and congratulating the hosts on the holiday. In every village that day the Lazarki gathered, groups of girls up to 15 years old, knit ivy wreaths, and at the same time sing the Lazarus ritual songs.
On Lazarus Saturday, they put on their complete holiday costumes, the bride with the largest one, heading to church to sing; the "Bride" with the garland on her head stands at the altar. Afterwards they tour the houses together, singing Lazarki ritual songs for each family member, and the hosts gift them beans, fruits, and money. One leaf of health is torn from the wreath and it is usually rubbed on hands or placed on bee hives. After visiting the last house, they gather in the church, the first Lazarki leaves the wreath on the bishop's throne and divides the raised money to all the Lazarki equally.
Lazarki of Dremiglava, Solunsko
On Cvetnici (Palm Sunday), after the morning church service, groups of young girls who were of the age to marry or younger, as well as newlyweds, would go around the village and sing "Lantzar". It was an event that took place in Dremiglava on the morning of Palm Sunday, but its preparation began earlier. These groups of girls in Dremiglava were called "Vaiches" or "Lanzarouki."
During Lent young girls would go to older, married women to learn the songs they would sing. Mainly at night or in group women's evening gatherings, older women taught the younger girls the songs of the Lazarki. These songs were first and foremost carols, a series of hymns interspersed with wishes. The custom had a universal character and the "Vaiches" sang to everyone without exception except in the houses that had recently bereaved.
"Lanzari, Lanzari, we play Lantzari, red shoes, a pair of hats."
Lazarki of Carevo Selo, Solunsko
On Lazarus Saturday, the little girls of Carevo Selo became Lazarki and holding their baskets decorated with flowers visited relatives and friendly houses and sang the Lazarki songs. The songs varied from house to house depending on whether they addressed a married couple, parents with young or older children, engaged or the elderly. The kids filled their baskets with eggs, sweets and even money. And these are Carevo Selo's Lazarki songs:
"An eagle supports the perch upon his wings and the perch was heavy and an eagle was a bird"
"In these yards the marbled ones that perpetuate the blooms and the stars shiver those demonic spells give them to us"
For the fiancée:
"The daughter sits and moves of the new handkerchief it brings tears to my eyes a lot of pain and with many groans folds the handkerchief"
For the little children:
"My brilliant pearl where did you look in the sand get up to be shaken to become a ring let the beautiful ones wear you and those black-eyed ones"