Oj, gango moja, pivala te ne bi’ (ganga) – Široki Brijeg, BiH

Описание: HKUD “Hercegovac” Široki Brijeg

Blagica Bošnjak – First Voice (počima)
Jasna Grbešić, Matija Banožić,
Mirjana Karačić – Second Voice (gangaju)

Lyrics (ENG)
Ey, my ganga, I wouldn't sing you
If I hadn't been born here

My sweetheart is singing, the hill is echoing back
This is how we talk, mother

My mother's house is full of joy
When my song is heard there

Lyrics (HR)
Ej gango moja, pivala te ne bi’
Ej da se nisam rodila u tebi

Piva lola, odjekuje gora
Eto majko moga razgovora

Veseli su moje majke dvori
Dok u njima moja pisma ori

KUD Hercegovac Široki Brijeg is a folkloric ensemble bringing together local residents who passionately cultivate the musical and dance heritage of Western Herzegovina. The group presents traditional dances, polyphonic singing, and customs characteristic of Herzegovinian villages, preserving the raw, authentic style derived from local pastoral culture. The ensemble is intergenerational, connecting older experts in tradition with young people who eagerly embrace ancient forms of song and movement, ensuring their continuity.

Široki Brijeg is one of the most important cultural and religious centers of Herzegovina, nestled among limestone hills and karst valleys. The town is known for its strong local identity, Franciscan heritage, and deeply rooted customs that have shaped community life for generations.

The region of Western Herzegovina is characterized by a distinctive karst landscape, a dry climate, and scattered settlements with stone architecture. It's a land of pastoral traditions, the hardy nature of its inhabitants, the distinctive ganga songs, and numerous customs. Despite the changes of modern times, the region has retained a strong cultural authenticity, and local ensembles — such as KUD “Hercegovac” — play a key role in maintaining it.

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About us – Balkan Polyphony is a field research project that collects traditional music from the Balkan area. We are not interested in any ideologies, we don’t take sides in any historical conflicts. What interests us is traditional culture and its musical intricacies.
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Our Partners: National Museum Zadar, Ethnological Department; CreArt; Academy of Arts, University of Banja Luka