podkrelali

Podkrelali is a traditional communal ritual observed in several communities in the eastern foothills of the Serin Mountains. It is held annually in autumn and combines music, dance, and the exchange of symbolic tokens to reinforce social bonds and mark the harvest.

Etymology and origins are debated. The name is thought to derive from pod-, a local prefix indicating proximity or sharing, and krelali, a term found in regional songs. The earliest references appear in 15th-century annals, though the precise lineage of the practice is uncertain and likely diverse across communities.

Historically, Podkrelali was tied to agrarian cycles and seasonal rites. It survived periods of religious or political tension and experienced revival during regional cultural awakenings in the 19th and 20th centuries, when communities sought to preserve memory and identity.

Practice centers on a lantern procession, a masked dance known as the krelali walk, and the exchange of carved tokens and woven cords among households. Storytelling cycles recount local legends and ancestral lineages, while a communal meal closes the event. The ritual emphasizes reciprocity, memory, and communal resilience.

Regional variations exist, notably in mask design, musical accompaniment, and the specific tokens exchanged. In some villages, masks depict animals; in others, the tunes and spoken verses differ, reflecting local histories and languages. Today, Podkrelali is recognized as part of intangible cultural heritage in several municipalities, with workshops and demonstrations aimed at preservation balanced against tourism.