My great-grandfather, Veljan (far right standing) in 1903 (Ilinden) with his cheti from Bukovo fighting the Turk to liberate Macedonia.
assets/dedo_veljan_1903.jpg

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My grandfather Endrija (b. 1908) from Bouf. This picture was taken in the mid 1920s. His daughter, Lubitsa and father Pavle are also in the picture.
assets/endrija_lubica_pavle_20s.jpg

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My granparents Pane (b. 1909) and Menka (b. 1908) (from Lazhets and Bukovo)
The photo is from the early 1930s. Menka is Veljan's daughter from the Ilinden picture above.
assets/pane_menka_30s.jpg

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A wedding in my village in the early 1930s. The bride has her veil lifted for the picture and the groom is wearing a "sheshir" (hat).

Of the two older men in the middle (seated with canes) the one on the right, Dimo (b. ~1850) is my great, great grandfather. His brother Todor is to the left.
assets/lazhets_30s.jpg

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Some old songs to go with the pictures:
These are low-quality mp3s but at least you get an idea.
Right-click on the link to download them.

assets/pesni/aber_mi_doide_od_soluna_grada.mp3
assets/pesni/maika_na_yane.mp3
assets/pesni/nashata_bela_rada.mp3
assets/pesni/pavle_mi_pie.mp3
assets/pesni/sokol_mi_leta_visoko.mp3
assets/pesni/zasviril_stoian.mp3
assets/pesni/patruno_mome.mp3

You can get two great CDs of Macedonian Folk Songs like this from David Bilides at Izvor music.
http://www.izvormusic.com

That is soooo cool Maknews!
Thank-you so much for sharing this with all of us. The characteristics of the people in the pictures, speaks volumes, towards the ethnically diverse differences, amongst Macedonians and Greeks!


Kind Regards,

Kat

P.S - All your family members are very 'lichen'.

Thanks Kat, that's very kind of you to say. They were very "lichni" to me anyway.

I wonder if tito took those pictures and if he wrote those songs

True Macedonian wrote:




That Tito and his wonderful abilities. What never ceases to amaze me is how he still does it all, 'beyond the grave'....
Is Tito's manufacture theory really based on a case of "Believe it Or Not!" or more a case of "Believe it Or Else!"

The music was indeed very beautiful, and reminiscent of by-gone days, in the haunting quality of the instruments. The simpler expression of this music, and its vocals, really brings across the genuinely distinct nature, of your culture. Extremely beautiful! I enjoyed it very much.
I also have Macedonian Soldiers music downloaded, and it is a contrast, to the older songs, in its modernity. The older songs are utterly charming...
I was wondering if anybody has heard of the instrument called the hammered Dulcimer in English?

It originated in Persia (Iran) and was called Santur

It was later played in India - Santoor
China - YangChin
Korea - YangGum
Thailand, Cambodia - Kim
Hungary, Romania, Ukraine - Cimbalom
Austria. Switzerland - Hackbrett
Greece - Santouri

Does anybody know of a Macedonian name for it?

This instrument sounds incredible, just to hear it played on its own, by any name ofcourse, but I was just curious.

Many Thanks,

Kat

I've seen Indian bands use it. There are a lot of variations, from harpsichord like to guitar like. You're right, it does have a great sound.

Hi, Can anyone find the song Kitka katina, its a very old song and its about Kata or katerina ie Kat.
Zoran

A Macedonian Songcatcher Saves Ancient Traditions (Part 1)
Posted on Monday, October 31 @ 01:00:00 EST by CDeliso

Part 1 of this fascinating interview with a leading Macedonian ethnomusicologist discusses her interests in the field, the challenges one faces in coaxing songs out of reluctant villagers, and the importance of ritual music in Macedonian culture.

32 year-old Velika Stojkova Serafimovska, a professional ethnomusicologist at the Macedonian Institute for Folk Dance and Culture, thoroughly loves her job: exploring remote, almost forgotten villages in search of folk songs that have been handed down through the generations, but which have become endangered as the forces of emigration and urbanization pull Macedonians away from their roots.

read the article here
http://www.balkanalysis.com/modules.php ... le&sid=583

I thought the above post was pretty cool after listening to those songs MakNews posted.

Zoran wrote:


Is there any Macedonian song that exists, that refers to a 'Tot'?
She was such a lovely lady, I hope she graces us with her visits some more.
Such a funny dear is lil ole Ms Tot, from Footscray, and sooo clever to boot!


Kat

its cimbalo in serbian/croatian/bosnian....guess in macedonian is the same....pozdrav and sagapo :)

Kimval, as far as I know

Thank you very much for your help Bosnian and mk!
I was actually wandering around the lovely city of multicultural Melbourne, only recently, just soaking up the environment, and I happened to come along this guy who was a busker, playing this exquisite instument.
It looked so simple, and yet, when he played it, the sounds and melody were magical. Talking to him, I found that that he is a new artist, promoting his work, and as he had a CD of his music, I bought it.
He told me about the rich ancient heritage of the Santur, and of its origin in Persia. He also had the names it is called, in the languages I mentioned above, written on the CD cover. I wanted to get the name in Macedonian, and now in Serbian/Croatian/Bosnian, so that I could email him, and request that he also adds these to his list.

Thank you again,
Pozdrav,
Kat

NOW THAT'S WHAT I CALL MACEDONIANS ... THANK YOU!

thanks maknews

tije ce makendonsi

i have tried to get info from my 83 year old dedo about my great grandfather but he doesnt remember. All he says is they are were from the the same celo, sho begaja od tursite...

those pics are amazing and wish i had some in my possesion.

The people in those pics will tell it how it is.

Damn those were awesome pics. Hey Maknews do you have anymore pics this old???

soon I will post from my grandma's grandfather.. playing some old music instruments: tambura etc...

prv post na ovoj forum sakam da ve pozdravam site , brajka i sestri Makedonci

dobrodojde Slasa.