English - Convention on Biological Diversity

86
COUNTRY STUDY FOR BIODIVERSITY OF THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA
4.7. Cultural or traditional values of biodiversity
Bio-resources hold an important place in the traditions and cultures of every country,
which is inherently unchangeable in the local and lesser developed communities. It is
essential to pay greater attention to biological diversity that is traditionally utilised, and
to endeavour to create recognisable standards for quality, origin and certain other traits
for specific products.
4.7.1. Wildlife and national cuisine
Wild animals have always been consumed by humans. In the past, the preparation of
game for food was done strictly in accordance with the specific rituals of the time. Game
was eaten mostly in areas with developed hunting. In specific periods and regions, eating
the meat of both game and domesticated animals was forbidden because people believed
that the souls of their dead ancestors resided in some animals. It was also believed that
certain meats should not be eaten during days of fasting, that is, meat of taboo animals in
the pre-Christian period.
In Macedonia, the wild birds most often eaten were Partridge, Pheasant, Collared
doves and Sparrows. As for Mammals, Wild boar, Roe deer, Alpine chamois, hares,
bears etc. were consumed.
4.7.2. Arts, folklore and music
Ethnographic and folkloric materials point to numerous beliefs in the supernatural
powers of animals and plants by the Macedonian people. These include beliefs and
images concerning the origins of certain animals, the formation of animal cults, rituals
performed, relating to the cult animals etc. Snakes, bears, wolves and other wild and
domesticated animals were the subjects of cultic rituals.
In Macedonian legends, one can encounter the motif of the bear originating from a
human, that is, a girl. Animals were frequently the subjects of metaphors relating some
positive or negative trait to the human character. Many songs, especially those related to
feasts devoted to specific animals, attest to their good or bad traits.
The use of animals as symbols was a theme frequently used by artists. The deer
symbolised light and victory, and was considered a defender and leader of the dead. For
example, a deer standing at a watering place was a Christian symbol related to
christening. It is found throughout Christian art – in floor mosaics, church decorations
etc. Bears were addressed with many different names: grandmother, aunt, she, and in
some regions, Menda. As characters and on masks, bears can be seen at the carnivals in
Prilep, where the so-called “mechkari” (bear-tamers) have a performance during the
celebration of “Prochka” (Forgiveness-Asking Day). Christian symbolism sometimes
emphasised the bad traits of the bear. In art from the Middle Ages, the bear is
represented as the incarnation of the devil, and the wolf was considered to be the devil’s
creature, a true conquerer of bad demons. In folk stories, the wolf is represented as a
stupid animal, personifying negative traits. The theme of marriage between a wolf and a
girl is also frequent.
In folk art, costumes were decorated with stylised motifs of animals and plants, for
example, snakes, wolves, birds, leaves, boughs etc. The snakelike “chiusteks” had
apothropeic (intended to ward off evil) significance.
Many plants (mostly trees) or parts of animals (horns, teeth, skin and fur) were used
in the production of handicraft products of practical and artistic value. The production of
many instruments in folklore was closely related to biodiversity.