Ojkanje
HKUD Široka Kula from Gospić performingličko ojkanje
Stylistic origins	Croatian music
Typical instruments	Human voice

Ojkanje is a tradition of polyphonic folk singing inCroatia characteristic for the regions of theDalmatian hinterland,Velebit,Lika,Kordun, andKarlovac.^[1] As described inThe Harvard Dictionary of Music: "The ojkanje is a particular style of singingmelisma with a sharp and prolonged shaking of the voice on the syllablesoj orhoj."^[2]

In 2010, it was inscribed asOjkanje singing inUNESCOsList of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.

Historically, ojkanje is found in the regions of theDalmatian hinterland,Velebit,Lika,Kordun, andKarlovac, belonging to the Dinaric area, along with several neighbouring micro-regions.^[3][4] Dalmatian hinterland area is considered as main home of the ojkanje style and from there was expanded to other parts of Croatia. Migrations from the Dinaric region during the 16th and 17th century probably introduced this style of singing to Adriatic islands as well migration ofBunjevci from same area toVojvodina andHungary.^[5] The solo singing type of ojkanje is associated most with the Lika region and surrounding Karlovac, while two-part singing is dominant in the wider area of the Croatian coast and its hinterland.^[6] Specific types of ojkanje singing can be found between the rivers ofKrka andCetina (Drniška Krajina), in the regions ofRavni Kotari andBukovica, in theCetinska Krajina betweenSvilaja andMoseč, and the hinterlands ofTrogir andKaštela.^[6] The mountainous landscape of Lika the Dalmatian hinterland proved ideal for the cultivation of ojkanje.^[7]

Similar styles ofpolyphonic singing can be found throughout the Dinaric region of the Balkans, such asganga, found mainly inHerzegovina and inlandDalmatia, andizvika from theZlatibor area inSerbia. These enduring musical traditions show a connecting link among the populations of the mountainous regions.^[8] Owing to emigration, ojkanje groups can now be found in western Serbia and to a smaller extent, Bosnia and Herzegovina.^[9]

The main significance with ojkanje is that it is not simply a genre of singing, but a very specific voice-shaking technique originating from the throat.^[3][4] Ojkanje has been described as "free beat singing" that is created deep in the throat and has been steeped in the culture of various local communities. There are two main ways of performing: individually, or more commonly, with a group.^[3] Lyrics usually cover topics such as love, social or local issues, and politics.^[10]

• Solo singing, also known as "travel singing" (putničko, kiridžijsko) or "solitary singing" (samačko) has several different variants depending on the region. One example from theKonavle region is theustresalica, a shaking type of singing which has died out amongst the community. In Lika, therozganje type of singing was popular, and is currently kept alive by local folklore groups in theKarlovac region.^[3]
• Two-part singing can be performed by men or women with two or more people. It is prevalent in the area of the Croatian coast and the Dalmatian hinterland . In group singing, the song lasts as long as the lead singer can hold their breath.^[3] The nameojkalica, which is the name used for this type of singing in the area in the hinterland of Šibenik and the villages of Vrlika and Kijevo.^[3] Further along the Dalmatian hinterland there are various traditional vocal styles of Ojkanje singing. InRavni Kotari andBukovica, the local style of singing is calledorzenje (the Serbian Orthodox population calls itorcenje,orcanje orgroktanje). Furthermore, when performed by men, the singing is known astreskavica, orstarovinsko ("old-style") today, and when performed by women it is known asvojkavica.^[3] Treskavica is also used in the hinterlands ofTrogir andKaštela, but is calledgrgešanje inGrebaštica, a village north ofPrimošten. In northernPoljice the locals continue to perform thekiridžijsko style of singing.^[3]

Ojkanje singing originated in its form in theDinaric region. It especially thrived among the rural population of the Dalmatian hinterland and surrounding regions.

Ivan Lovrić (1756—1777) mentionsojkanje as part ofMorlach culture.^[11]

In the beginning of the 20th century, theCroatian Peasant Party began organizing folklore festivals which focused on rural traditions through their charitable wing. Traditional dancing, music, regional costumes were the main focus, especially in the 1920s and 1930s, with Ojkanje singing being an important addition.^[12]

In 2008,ojkanje singing was nominated by theCroatian Ministry of Culture for inscription on the UNESCOUrgent Safeguarding list.^[13] 2010, it was inscribed inUNESCOsList of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding as representative of Croatia.^[14]

In 2012 it was included into the national register of theintangible cultural heritage of Serbia [sr].^[15]

Over the years, Ojkanje singing was passed down from generations, with singers learning directly from their accomplished predecessors. However, the last century has seen significant changes in the traditional rural life, with younger generations migrating to cities and modern ways overtaking certain traditional practices, resulting in the decline of Ojkanje singing.^[3]

Many folklore groups have been performing to keep Ojkanje singing alive.^[16] A prominent group, "KUD Promina" fromOklaj was formed by five locals from the area to preserve and perform their region's local Ojkanje singing,^[17] and their success insured them an appearance in the official video on UNESCO's website. Other cultural groups (KUDs) noted by UNESCO that are active in preserving Ojkanje are "Sveta Magareta" from Velika Jelsa nearKarlovac, "Gacka" fromLičko Lešće, "Radovin" fromRadovin, "Sveti Nikola Tavelic" fromLišane Ostrovičke, and notable people from Srijane (nearTrilj) and Kokorici (nearVrgorac).Croatian public television has aired numerous programs on ojkanje groups and reviving the custom among young people.^[18][19] Examples of other groups include "KUD Petrova Gora - Kordun" Beograd,^[20] and "KUD Kordun - Inđija",^[21] formed by ethnic Serbs from theKordun region of Croatia, but now perform throughoutSerbia. There are numerous festivals and cultural events throughout the region that display Ojkanje singing to the public.^[22][23]The village ofPrigrevica inSombor, Serbia, and other places inVojvodina settled byMilitary Frontiersmen has the musical tradition of Ojkanje.

• UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists
• Klapa, a capella style from maritimeDalmatia

• UNESCO Culture Sector."Ojkanje singing".UNESCO. Retrieved16 November 2010.
• Croatian Ministry of Culture (2008)."Ojkanje singing: Nomination for inscription on the Urgent Safeguarding list". unesco (at Youtube). Retrieved8 November 2010.
• Lotina, Radmila (16 December 2010)."Divno čudo deseteračkog ojkanja".Dnevnik (in Serbian).

• Croatian folk music
• Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity
• Polyphonic singing

• CS1 errors: missing periodical
• CS1 maint: location
• CS1 Serbian-language sources (sr)