Singing with tambura/shargija and violin accompaniment, as deeply rooted in the tradition of rural areas, has been preserved to this day in various forms:

1. Two-part singing with šargija/tambura accompaniment or šargija/tambura and violin accompaniment,

2. One-part singing with šargija/tambura accompaniment or a šargija/tambura and violin accompaniment,

3. One-part singing with violin accompaniment, the so-called “singing with a thick string”.

This form of singing is cherished in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina by residents of rural and smaller urban areas, namely: in Bosanska Posavina, Central Bosnia along the Bosna River and North-eastern Bosnia, who love it and experience it as a part of their overall cultural identity.

The folk artist sings about all life situations, customs and about his homeland. The knowledge and skill of playing and singing is transmitted orally, within the family or local community, and is an indispensable part of all family and local festivities.The importance of this musical tradition in the overall spiritual heritage of its transmitters is also evidenced by the large number of festivals visited by the inheritors and bearers of this type of singing. It is also present at numerous festivals of folklore societies. The inclusion of singing with šargija/tambura and violin accompaniment onto the Preliminary Open List of Intangible Heritage in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina has received the support of a large number of individuals and associations established with the aim of preserving the tradition.

autor Jasmin Fazlagić