Dancing and singing at the traditional Gjakova wedding

Abstract

This study examines the traditional wedding ceremony of Gjakova as an important expression of Kosovo’s musical and cultural heritage. Based on materials covering the period from the beginning of the twentieth century to the present, the paper analyzes the songs, dances, rituals, and performance practices that shape the Gjakova wedding tradition. Particular attention is given to characteristic wedding dances such as Vallja e Zambakut, Vallja e Shotës, Vallja e Napolonit, and Sa e bukur na ka dal nusja, as well as to their musical, rhythmic, choreographic, and symbolic features. The study discusses the role of sung dances, instrumental accompaniment, melodic construction, rhythmic and metric diversity, and modal features such as the Aeolian mode and the Hijaz maqam. It also examines the poetic structure of wedding songs, including verse forms, refrains, dialogue, ornamentation, and rubato passages, which contribute to the expressive and emotional character of the ceremony. In addition, the paper considers the ritual functions of wedding songs, especially their relationship with symbolic actions, social cohesion, and the transition of the bride and groom into a new social and familial status. By comparing traditional wedding practices with contemporary forms of celebration in Gjakova, the study shows how modernization has introduced new elements into the organization and meaning of the wedding ceremony, while many musical, choreographic, and ritual features continue to preserve local cultural identity. In this respect, the Gjakova wedding represents a dynamic field in which Kosovo’s traditional music, dance, ritual symbolism, and cultural memory are maintained, transformed, and transmitted across generations