Three Serbian Ballads from the Collection of Vuk Stefanović Karadžić

In the 19th century, Vuk Stefanović Karadžić (1787–1864), a Serbian linguist, dedicated 30 years of his life to collecting and publishing Serbian oral ballads and other folk literature. European intellectuals of the time recognized the unique artistic, educational, and moral value of this poetry and translated it into various languages, including English. As a result, the three ballads presented here are not unknown but are usually presented in larger collections or anthologies.

These three ballads, while focused on specific events or individuals, also shed light on the social conditions affecting Serbian women during the Middle Ages and throughout the 19th century. It is noteworthy, for instance, that none of the female characters in these poems has a name or personal identity. They carry their husbands’ names or are simply sung merely as mothers. I wanted listeners to hear only these three poems together because the majority of traditional Serbian oral ballads do not describe women and their experiences. In fact, women are inconspicuous supporting characters in a vast number of traditional ballads that have passed from generation to generation with no substantive changes for hundreds of years.

Female characters, when they appear, are mostly observers. They usually have no assigned roles that propel the dynamics of the events. They listen to their husbands or sons; they wait for them to return from their various duties of war; they prepare meals; they serve the food and drinks; they care for those wounded in battle; they bear, raise, and advise their children; but their distinguished personal identities are hidden and could only be reconstructed based on the considerable historical knowledge that we have today. Presenting these poems together allows us to perceive and understand the magnitude of pain and hardship that Serbian women have experienced.

Even though they originated at different times and describe different historical and legendary characters and events, each poem contains powerful images of motherly love, loss, and inexpressible grief. And while each is memorable on its own, I hope that, taken together, they will stand as a fitting tribute to motherhood.

As ancient as these stories are, they are also timeless. I am sure the listener will discover contemporary relevance and recognize how profoundly the plight of these mothers reaches beyond specific time and place and evokes images of marriage and motherhood that will resonate with women today, regardless of their race, religion, national identity, or social position.

These poems were handed down by word of mouth from one generation to another for centuries. Because of both their cultural significance and artistic merit, they have survived the test of time. It is my personal pleasure and privilege to pass them forward in the CD recording that accompanies this issue of Serbian Studies.¹

zeljkacg@hotmail.com

A Note from Roderick Menzies, Voice Recording Producer:

While helping to bring “The Pearl Drops” (Biserne suze) to fruition, I developed a profound sense of appreciation for these beautiful examples of oral epic poetry. These recordings are unique and extraordinary, partly due to Željka’s talent and skill as an oral interpreter and partly because of her strong personal connection to the material. Before I agreed to participate in this project, I had already directed Željka as an actor and knew of her talent and her artistic standards. However, while working with her on these wonderful pieces, I became aware of her Serbian cultural heritage and developed a heartfelt connection to the plight of women everywhere who are subject to unjust suffering.

As I guided Željka to create effective oral interpretations of these lyrical ballads, in both Serbian and English, I was drawn into the rich tradition of maternal wisdom that pervades these historic narratives, and I became deeply moved by their timeless universality. I sincerely hope these remarkable recordings will touch you as much as they have touched me and that you will share your appreciation of them. By introducing others to their exceptional beauty and wisdom, we can help ensure that they will never fade into obscurity.