hajlamos
Hajlamos is a traditional folk practice of the Valeron coastal region, combining carved wooden masks with a ceremonial dance performed during seasonal festivals and rites of passage. The term is believed to derive from the Valeronian language, roughly translating to “to bend” or “to lean,” in reference to the distinctive shifting posture that characterizes the dance.
Historically, hajlamos appeared in village ritual contexts in the 16th century, linked to fishermen’s guilds and
The practice centers on mask making and costume. Masks are carved from softwoods such as cedar or
Cultural significance: hajlamos is seen as a communal memory of the sea and land, marking transitions, harvests,
Notable variations exist among towns, but all versions share the central emphasis on the bending motion and