By Megan Jungwi

The political map for where Yugoslavia once was can be confusing for someone who has not followed the area’s history. Currently countries in Europe’s Balkan Peninsula include: Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Montenegro, and Slovenia. Although the borders may have changed many people still celebrate mothers with old traditions while others have chosen a more modern holiday.

Traditionally Mother’s Day was tied to a series of holidays that celebrated the family. The three-day series starts three Sundays before Christmas with each day occurring on a Sunday. The series starts with ‘Dechivi Dan’ or (Children’s Day), followed by ‘Materitse’ (Mother’s Day), and ending with ‘Ochichi’ (Father’s Day).

Many Westerners may find the celebrations for Materitse suprising. On Mother’s Day, children would sneak into their parent’s bedroom, tie up their mother’s feet and shout ‘Mother’s Day, Mother’s Day, what will you pay to get away?’ The mother would then negotiate with her children giving them small treats so that they will release her. It’s likely the mother preferred Children’s Day when the parents tied the children up and received promises of good behavior.

Some countries, such as Serbia, still celebrate Mother’s Day as their predecessors did. However, many countries now celebrate their mothers on March 8th to coincide with International Women’s Day. Countries celebrating this dual holiday include Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, and Montenegro. International Women’s Day was first celebrated in the USA in 1909 and was started in the former USSR by a feminist in 1965. Originally it was a day to celebrate the economic, political and social achievements of women. However, in many countries it lost its political flavor and simply became a day to celebrate women – including mothers. On this day, women and mothers are given flowers and small gifts. In Bosnia’s Saravejo there is a monument to mothers that many people visit and decorate with flowers. 

Whether the descendents of old Balkan countries are celebrating Materitse or International Women’s Day they can wish their mother a hearty Serbian “Dan Majki”.