Koledari

Koledari are Slavic traditional performers of a ceremony called koleduvane. Both words come from the Church Slavonic word Koleda, a celebration incorporated later into Christmas.

In Bulgaria this type of caroling is called "коледуване" (koleduvane), whereas in Ukraine called "колядування" (kolyaduvannya), in Macedonia it is called "коледарење" (koledarenje), or "коледе" (kolede).

The koledari carolers traditionally start their rounds at midnight on Christmas Eve. They visit the houses of their relatives, neighbours and other people in the village. The caroling is usually performed by young men, which are accompanied by an elder one called stanenik. Each caroler carries a stick called gega. They wish the people from the village health, wealth and happiness. The time for the koleduvane is strictly defined by tradition - from midnight to dawn on Christmas Eve. With the power of the songs they have to chase away the demons. By sunrise they lose that power and stop to koleduvat. Preparations began on 20th of December. Men are in traditional festive attire with a special decoration on their hats.

In Macedonia, the caroling starts early in the morning on 6 January, which is the Christmas Eve or known in Macedonian as Badnik. Usually kids are caroling in Macedonia and they go from house to house wishing a lot health, happiness and luck. The wishes are expressed through songs called koledarski pesni or carols. After the song is finished, the person, that the song is sang for, rewards the kids with money, fruit, candies and other gifts. Traditionally, the kids are wearing masks and they go around the whole neighborhood or village.

One of the most popular kolyadkas (songs) in Macedonia is the following:

Коледе леде
паднало греде
утепало деде
деде се мачи
баба го квачи
со четири јајца
гускини, шаткини.

Денес е Коледе,
утре е Божиќ
ќе колеме теле
теле вика леле
не колете мене
ќе ви купам зеље
да месите пита
да јадете сите.

Коледее

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Wikipedia