Traditional / folk music of Macedonia
Macedonia is a small country with a strong tradition of folk music. The folk music of Macedonia is influential and characteristic. Being part of Balkan countries, make this folk music to have effect and influence on the music of the world.
Macedonia was part of Yugoslavia. Yugoslavia was formed after World War I to unite Slavic and west Balkan region. After World War II the country became socialist with the leadership of war hero, Tito. Tito was not a Soviet Union puppet and he proved it by opposing Soviet Union attacking to Afghanistan. Until his death Yugoslavia functioned together in a peaceful union, enjoying relative freedom and little interference with artistic endeavors, including folk music. But after his death, ethnic hatred erupted into ethnic cleansing and devastation. After the war, Yugoslavia separated into different territories of Serbia, Montenegro, and Macedonia.
The folk music of Macedonia is part of Balkan traditional music and also gypsy music tradition which is common in Balkan area. It is specially close to the music of Bulgaria It is consist of complicated rhythms and melodies. Some folk songs like "Pomnish li, libe Todoro", have complicated 22/16 timing. Some other common timing are 7/8, 9/8, 11/8, 5/8, 12/8, 13/8, 18/8, etc. The 7/8 is the most common one. The folk music is mostly passed to the next generation by the oral tradition.
There are various folk musical instruments used in folk music of Macedonia. Folk music ensembles includes clarinet or saxophone, drum kit, accordion and guitar. These orchestras are very popular in Macedonia. Some other folk musical instruments which can be named are:
- gajda (type of bagpipe which is one of most common instrument in traditional Macedonian music)
- šupelka (small flute)
- kemane (three-stringed fiddle and very rarely it has four strings)
- tambura (long-necked lute which is also very popular in other Balkan countries)
- zurla (large double-reed horn)
- tapan (cylindrical drum)
- kaval (rim-blown flute)
- harmonika (accordion)
If you have more information about folk music of Macedonia, its genres or instruments or you know specific song on each genre, please kindly contact us and let us know about it or send them through “Post a Song” link on top of the page. Also if you see any wrong information about the song tags on the list below please kindly let us know.
Traditional / folk songs for Macedonia
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