Kumpanija
Kumpanjija is an ancient Smokvica custom established on the basis of a defense company that defended Smokvica from attacks and looting from sea and land. At a time when these areas were ravaged by pirates and invading armies threatened from everywhere, it was necessary to establish these defense groups. The Knight dance Kumpanija has emerged over time as a memory of those battles and the people who bravely defended Smokvica.
With sound of drum and bagpipes, Kumpanjija starts its „ples od boja“ (battle dance), an ancient custom representing a defending army that protects its village from the invaders coming from the sea. At the end of the Battle Dance, a folk dance called “tanac” is performed with the accompaniment of a lyre, lyre or harmonica. This dance is danced by the kumpanjiari with their chosen dancers: wives, sisters, mothers and cousins. Wealth of colours and materials of traditional costumes, dances and songs have been kept from being forgotten and are only a part of Smokvica cultural heritage.
Today, traditional Knight dances such as Kumpanija are well alive on various locations along the island of Korcula. All these spectacular dances depict battles between the conquerors and native armies. The dance named Kumpanija is performed in Blato, Vela Luka, Smokvica, Čara and Pupnat, the Moštra is performed in Žrnovo, and the Moreška dance in Korčula. Kumpanija is perfomed throughout the year for tourist, commercial and promotional purposes.
Klape
A Klapa is a group of six to nine singers. Klapas used to sing accapela in the evenings in the centre of a place, in a tavern or by the shore for their own pleasure. They often used to sing serenades under their loved one’s window in late night hours. This is how men courted women in these parts.
Today, this kind of courtship is rare, but klapa singing remained. During the summer you can listen to klapas in taverns, restaurants or at concerts. If you wish to experience the real soul of Dalmatia, do not miss a chance to listen to a live klapa performance. Klapa singing is now included in the European Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
