Lazarice
South Slavic girls' procession on the eve of Palm Sunday.
Lazarice (лазарице), also called Lazaruvane or Lazarines (λαζαρίνες), is a South Slavic procession held on Lazareva Subota, the day before Palm Sunday. It is believed by historians and anthropologists to have originated from the Roman festival Rosalia, which was spread in Southeastern Europe after the Roman conquest of the Balkans in the 2nd century BC. Slavic tribes later adopted and developed elements of these Greek-Roman traditions. Unmarried girls aged about 16, known as lazarki, perform the ritual, which is considered necessary before a girl may marry or become engaged.
Quick Facts
- Alternative names
- Lazaruvane (Bulgarian), Lazarines (Greek)
- Observed on
- Lazareva Subota (day before Palm Sunday)
- Participants
- Unmarried girls around age 16, called lazarki
- Origin theory
- Roman festival Rosalia, introduced after the 2nd century BC conquest of the Balkans
Facts from the source article.
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