Tradition
Natural heritage and Tradition
Discover our Tradition
Franciscan monastery Rama-Šćit
The Franciscan monastery in Rama, on Šćit, was established by the Franciscans in the 15th century, before the arrival of the Turks, and is one of thirteen monasteries referred to in 1514 in a census of the Bosnian Franciscan Province. The Monastery and the Church have been burnt and restored several times. This cultural landscape, area of the Monastrey and the Church have been declared a national monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The main components of the Franciscan monastery complex are The Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, The House of Peace, The Ethnographic Museum and The Art Gallery of OFM Ljubo Lucić.
The monastery yard is also know as an „open gallery“ because of its various art sculptures: The cross of Rama, Rama’s Mother, Diva, The Last Supper, Rama Martyrs Medal and Memorial Board with names of all victims of the last two wars.
The Mosque in Lizoperci with maktab and harem
The architectural ensemble – The Mosque in Lizoperci with maktab and harem, located in a small village Lizoperci on the coast of Jablanica Lake is a National Monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
According to tradition, the mosque was built by Pozder-beg in 1530. There are no reliable data on the construction of this mosque. The mosque was rebuilt in 1925, when the wooden minaret was replaced by a stone one.
Diva's home in Zahum
The legend of the Diva Grabovčeva is well known between the people in Rama. Catholic belivers have been going to her grave in Kedžara, in the middle of Vran Mountain, for three decades. The grave is marked with a wooden cross, a large thombstone „stečak“ and a real size statue of Diva made by Kuzma Kovačić, the famous Croatian sculptor.
In the mountain village Zahum, which is according to the tradition the birthplace of Diva Grabovčeva was built a Diva’s home („Divin dom“). The home is a replica of the old Rama’s house. In front of the house is a bronze statue of a girl with butterfly which is the work of sculptor Ilija Skočibušić. Numerous tourists visit this place, especially on the feast of Saint Joseph the Worker on May 1.
Creation of traditional folk costumes
The tradition of sewing of folk costumes, one of the most recognizable symbols of Rama area, was passed from knee to knee.
Complete costume is made of cotton, it’s handmade and woven on a wooden loom and „pattern“ (decorated) with certain motives in different colors, especially with cross motives.
The traditional carving of Easter eggs
The tradition of the wax painting of Easter eggs is still preserved in Rama. Using a specially made pen called „šaraljka“ wax is applied to the egg, drawing desired shapes and motifs (twigs, crosses and flowers).
Decorated like this, eggs are most often cooked with a red onion shell. The Wax on eggs is melting during cooking and that will give beautiful and interesting shapes.
Traditional tattooing
Traditional tattooing called „sicanje“ or „bocanje“ has been still preserved in the Rama area. Catholic girls and sometimes men were tattooed. Hands, forehead, and chest were tattooed, and the most common motifs were stylized crosses, floral ornaments, and twigs.
The tattoo mixture is made of coal, milk and often with the addition of honey.
Traditional game „Game of ring“
In the tradicional game „Game of ring“ participate two teams of one to three players. The teams are arranged opposite each other with woolen socks on the floor.
The ring is hidden under one of eleven socks and game continues until the ring is found. Tradicional association „Prsten“ organize a tournamnet in this game every year in February.
Traditional food
The most famous traditional dishes that you can enjoy in Rama are: „pura“ (cornmeal mash cooked in salted water, served with melted butter, sour milk and garlic), „keške“ (wheat stew with cooked chicken meat, served with melted butter), „pita ispod sača“ (pie from homemade puff pastry, filled with meat, cheese, spinach or potato, baked in heartstone oven), meat and potatoes baked in heartstone oven, bread baked in heartstone oven. You can also try a variety of fish specialties from Ramsko Lake, prepared in our taverns, restaurants or agricultural households.
The most famous traditional drink is plum brandy made and „baked“ on a traditional machine from our domestic plum.
