English - Convention on Biological Diversity

COUNTRY STUDY FOR BIODIVERSITY OF THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA
4.7.4. Recreation and biodiversity
The relationship between recreation and biodiversity in ethnological terms is best
represented through the outdoor walks of the young people (i.e., to specific places on
certain holidays, performing certain rituals and having fun). This type of gathering
usually takes place during the spring holidays of Letnik, Cvetnitsi and Gyurgyovden,
when vegetation is reviving. Young people swing on tree swings, desiring to transmit the
strength and rebirth of nature upon themselves. Swinging also has a prophylactic role,
representing an efficient way of driving out evil spirits and diseases, as well as
fertilisation and marriage functions for young girls.
Another kind of recreation, which has an economic function as well, is the collection
of plants used for the preparation of teas and medicines. In recent times, biological
diversity and the traditional practices of growing plant and animal species and preparing
food from them, are widely used for recreational purposes. People often go to unpolluted
places where they can get healthy food for weekends and holidays and, in this way,
contribute to the development of rural and monastic tourism.
4.7.5. Other values
Wild animals have also been used in folk medicine. It was believed that snakes had
special healing power on 22 March. The sick, and especially childless couples, would
throw pieces of their clothing in front of a snake’s burrow where it was expected to
emerge. If the snake passed over the clothes three times, it could help them have
children. Some parts of snakes’ bodies were also worn as amulets. The eagle was hunted
for the medicinal power of its fat against rheumatism. Bears were used for therapeutic
purposes. A sick person would lie down and allow a bear to step on him to drive out
pain. Fumigation with the burnt hair of a bear would also ease pain, or could release the
demons from pregnant women.
There were many beliefs surrounding the healing power of certain trees. For
example, a sick person was supposed to sleep under an Ash tree or Hawthorn, which
both had therapeutic powers, and the fairies dwelling there at night would cure the
person. It was also a practice to bathe people in water where Hawthorn boughs had
previously been placed. In order to cure some diseases, people would leave towels,
shirts, pieces of clothing, scarves or money under medicinal trees.
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