Following the trail of field research: narrative forms in the folk music tradition of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Sažetak

Throughout its century-long history, ethnomusicological research in Bosnia and Herzegovina has often focused on narrative forms. New research has shown that certain forms have almost disappeared from folk music practice. This primarily refers to ballads and krajišnica – epic songs from the area of northwestern Bosnia that were performed to the accompaniment of a twostringed tambura. From 1980 to 1992, numerous songs were created that described events from local communities. In the post-war period, new
forms emerged that speak of wartime suffering, returning to destroyed homes and life under new circumstances. These songs are specifically widespread in areas where great war suffering occurred. This paper aims to present narrative forms that have been present in our folk music tradition for centuries, the manner in which they are performed and the changes in the repertoire of folk singers that occurred in the pre-war and post-war periods.