Mala moja, moj nevene – Zemunik Donji, HR

KUD “Sveta Kata” Zemunik Donji

Marko Mitrović - Lead Voice (prvi glas)
Anđelko Stura, Željko Perić, Božo Fabijan,
Ante Pinčić, Nediljko Vlasnović,
Mladen Jermen - Second Voice (pratnja)

The Leader of KUD/Predsjednica KUD-a - Tamara Perić

Lyrics (ENG)

My little girl, my calendula
How can you live without me?

Somehow, I can live without you
But you can’t live without me

My little girl, my white rose
What's close to your heart?

My dear, what would be close to my heart
Is for everyone to know that I'm yours

My little girl, my dove
Whose lips kiss you?

No one's lips kiss me
Yours are the sweetest to me

Lyrics (HR)

Mala moja, moj nevene
Kako živiš ti bez mene?

Ja bez tebe kako-tako
Ti bez mene baš nikako

Mala moja ružo bila
Koja ti je srcu mila?

Mila mi je, dušo moja
Da svi znaju da san tvoja

Mala moja, moj golube
Čije li te usne ljube?

Ne ljube me baš ničije
Tvoje su mi najmilije

KUD "Sveta Kata” Zemunik Donji is an ensemble that nurtures and passes on local cultural traditions of the Ravni Kotari region since 1996. The group's activities are based on a multi-generational commitment - the group's members include both older residents who are guardians of traditions and younger generations who are passionate about learning local songs, dances and customs. KUD Sveta Kata focuses on recreating unique elements of northern Dalmatian heritage, such as traditional songs i.e. ojkanje, pjevanje uz kolo and the presentation of traditional rituals and dances.

Zemunik Donji is a picturesque village in Croatia, located in the Ravni Kotari region in Northern Dalmatia. The village is located just a dozen kilometers from Zadar. Ravni Kotari is an area with an extremely rich ethnographic tradition, which is also reflected in the culture of Zemunik Donji. The village is known for nurturing traditional folk music.

Ravni Kotari is a region in northern Dalmatia, Croatia, stretching between Zadar and the Krka River. It is an area with an unusually rich history and tradition combining many cultures. The fertile plains located here have been conducive to settlement and agriculture for centuries, making Ravni Kotari a place where Slavic, Venetian, and Ottoman influences mingled. The region is known for its strong folk traditions, expressed mainly through music, dances, and crafts. Traditional music includes distinctive ojkanje songs and kolo dancing, performed during festivals and events. These art forms not only provide entertainment, but also express identity and belonging to a region that has gone through various political and cultural transformations over the centuries.

,,Mala moja moj nevene” is a popular sung in “na bas” style. It is characterized by two-part harmony. It is practiced across the Balkans with different regional variants. It is based on intervals of a third, quart, and fifth. The lyrics describe everyday life of the community and are strongly associated with the local identity.

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About us – Balkan Polyphony is a field research project that collects traditional music from the Balkan area. We are not interested in any ideologies, we don’t take sides in any historical conflicts. What interests us is traditional culture and its musical intricacies.

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Our Partner: Narodni muzej Zadar, Etnološki odjel (National Museum Zadar, Ethnological Department)