Prehistoric Musical Expression of Croatia - Ojkanje, HR

In 2010, Ojkanje singing was inscribed in the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding!

Since 1979, when the first Croatian cultural assets were inscribed on the UNESCO List, Croatia has registered a total of 31 immovable and intangible cultural assets (Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Croatia).

The Republic of Croatia has the most intangible heritage under the protection of UNESCO in Europe, and on a global scale, Croatia is just behind China and Japan.

Ojkanje is the oldest type of singing in the Republic of Croatia which dates back to prehistory. It is a distinctive feature of the Dinaric region where it occurs in several forms, in Lika where it is called “ojkanje”, in Dalmatian Zagora where we have both "ojkanje" and “rera” (known Sinjska rera), and “ganga” in the border area around Imotski in Croatia and in the western part of Herzegovina in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Today, this ancient art of singing is dying a slow death for want of support. New generations are having hard time consider it an integral part of their culture, but these dying traditions across the globe are worth saving as they offer unique experiences, and in our case a unique therapeutic experience that can provide a much-needed emotional relief and calm for troubled souls.

While waiting for a miracle - help save ancient traditions from dying out while traveling, show your interest if you stumble upon them and offer your support to local guardians of traditional culture!

Educational video
UNESCO: List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding - 2010
Ojkanje singing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjm9QXUVYLA

Description: Ojkanje two-part singing, found in the Croatian regions of the Dalmatian hinterland, is performed by two or more singers (male or female) using a distinctive voice-shaking technique created by the throat. Each song lasts as long as the lead singer can hold his or her breath. Melodies are based on limited, mostly chromatic, tonal scales, and the lyrics cover diverse themes ranging from love to current social issues and politics. Ojkanje owes its survival to organized groups of local tradition bearers who continue to transmit the skills and knowledge, representing their villages at festivals in Croatia and around the world.