Kumpanjija

KUMPANJIJA
Kumpanjija is a knights association that fosters the traditional folklore of Blato. It was named after a sword dance.
The Kumpanjija was originally a group of local men that gathered to protect the settlement from pirates and other assailants. A drummer used to circle the settlement drumming and warning of the danger, inviting the soldiers to gather together. After each fight with the enemy a dance of the knights was danced.
Today kumpanjija is a ritual sword dance that expresses the soldier spirit of the people who defended the island from the conquerors. This dance reveals the features of the ethnic groups that lived on the island and left their traces: the Pelazgi tribes left behind the mace and the drums, the Illyrian tribes left behind the flag holder, the Greeks left behind the folk costume and bagpipe bellows, the Romans their military formation, and the Slavic tribes their Schiavona sword.Kumpanjija is a very impressive, dynamic, militarily strict dance. The sounds of drums and a large flag fluttering in the air invoke special feelings. The dance is actually a wordless game, and the elements of the dance have special meanings. The participants in the dance (kumpanjoli) follow their captain (kapitan) who leads and commands them with the moves he makes. The army is made of soldiers/knights (kumpanjoli), led by their captain (kapitan) and two officers, the flag bearer (alfir) and the kapular.
The main performance by the Kumpanjija is given on 28th April, on the Day of St. Vincentia. The young army comes out and gives a combat performance (kombatimenat). On the same day, the members of the Association perform their special dance governed by special rules.
Summer performances are actually adapted folk performances because the original dance performance would be too long.Besides kumpanjija, a dance of the knights, two other dances are performed as well, kotiljun and tanac. KOTILJUN is a village dance from the 17th century. It is a partner dance danced in shepherds' costumes from the 19th century. The harmonica known as butunara provides the musical accompaniment.

TANAC is a partner dance from the 17th century. The costume is festive, the one worn on special occasions. The dancers wear authentic old jewelry, and the bagpipe bellows provide the musical accompaniment. This dance represents traditional men’s pride, and the affection of women trying to attract their attention. TANAC is a partner dance from the 17th century. The costume is festive, the one worn on special occasions. The dancers wear authentic old jewelry, and the bagpipe bellows provide the musical accompaniment. This dance represents traditional men’s pride, and the affection of women trying to attract their attention. Apart from the folk dance traditions, the Kumpanjija Knigths Association fosters the tradition of folk dishes as well. Each first Friday in February, the Association hosts the so-called House Party. It is a local, relaxing gathering of all who wish to keep the tradition of old recipes alive and taste some of them. Each person coming to the party must bring a dish made according to an old recipe or a bottle of wine, liquor or prosecco nurtured in their own cellars.