Bajram žrtava: novele

This is the first book by the Bosnian-Herzegovinian storyteller Alija Nametak (1906–1987), one of the most significant collections of short stories in Bosnian literature between the two world wars. The title story and the entire collection carry a strong emotional charge related to the Kurban-Bajram customs, sacrifice and renunciation.

Nametak masterfully depicts the old Bosnian everyday life – neighborhoods, family relationships, religious rituals, sevdah and the patriarchal world that is slowly disappearing under the pressure of the modern era. His short stories exude authentic Bosnian language, rich folk expressions and lively dialogues. The author, with a lot of understanding, mild irony and warmth, depicts ordinary people, their small and large sacrifices, longings and conflicts between tradition and the new time.

The collection Bajram žrtava is considered one of the most successful achievements of the so-called Bosnian romanticism in literature. Here, Nametak demonstrates an extraordinary gift of storytelling and a deep knowledge of the Bosnian soul, customs, and mentality. The work is at once nostalgic and realistic – it celebrates the beauty of the old way of life, but does not close its eyes to its limitations.

This 1931 edition of Matica Hrvatska is today an antiquarian rarity and represents an important cornerstone of modern Bosnian-Herzegovinian prose. The book is still very readable and moving, especially for those who appreciate an authentic depiction of Bosnian tradition and culture.