Gorani women in traditional costumes

Text with several pictures published on Demotix.com

Several thousand Gorani near Vranishta village celebrate the orthodox St. George's holiday. Gorani are Muslim by religion, but this holiday is still celebrated as a leftover from pagan times.
In the past, in these days of contracted marriages, which is now less frequent case. St George's Day is marked by three days in Gorani villages with different customs and folklore festivals which celebrate the end of winter and beginning of spring.
Today the Gorani used for political purposes, and the claim by the Serbs, Bulgarians, Macedonians and others.