Prepared by Patrik M.
Štrajenje
(A traditional custom in Croatia for the birth of a child)
Štrajenje originally meant putting hay or leaves in animal stables so that they would not sleep on a cold floor, but on something warm.
There is a story about how štrajenje that we know today (a traditional custom for the birth of a child) started. The story is about a man that did not want to accept his newborn child, so the villagers covered his house with hay, leaves, feathers and corn so he would feel embarrassed.
In Zagorje County, a region of Croatia where we live, štrajenje is a tradition that takes place when a mom and the baby come home from the hospital. Then the neighbours, friends and relatives come and throw all kinds of trash in the yard, on the house and the road. Corn, hay, leaves and feathers were used before, but they are no longer used as much. Nowadays people use textile, paper rolls and paper strips more. People sometimes do all kinds of pranks, but more or less no harm is done as it used to be.
photo: private album
Now štranjenje is a more positive tradition and when no one comes to štrajenje it is a shame. This is how a party is made, there are meals, drinks, cakes and music. The next day people gather to clean the yard and the house, but some trash stays on the roof and the branches for a long time and reminds people of the great party.
video: private album
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