There are several interesting peculiarities related to the people, folklore, traditions and customs that can only be found in the County of Brod-Posavina.
Sikirevci lace
Along with Pag and Lepoglava lace, Sikirevci lace is one of the three most famous Croatian laces and is well-known outside the borders of our homeland. In the picturesque village of Sikirevci, east of Slavonski Brod, hardworking women from the Sikirevci Motives Association endeavour to preserve the tradition of making the so-called Sun Lace, an indigenous motif that makes this lace recognizable. Lace patterns and demonstration work can be viewed in the showroom at the local home. Don’t miss the opportunity to decorate your home with this unique product!
Brodsko kolo
Although less widely represented in the media than Vinkovačke jeseni (Vinkovci Autumns) and Đakovački vezovi (Đakovo Embroidery), the folklore festival Brodsko Kolo (Brod’s Round Dance) is the oldest and largest folklore event in Croatia. It has been held for more than half a century and consists of a series of show and events that take place in Slavonski Brod and its surroundings throughout the year and gather over 5000 participants. The most interesting events are reserved for the first half of June and include folklore shows, the election of the most beautiful Croatian woman in traditional apparel, the passing, a procession of carriages, a big round dance on the town square, competitions in singing native songs, tamburitza concerts… This is a unique opportunity to witness the whole city exuding the tradition of its surrounding rural areas and thus paying tribute to its roots.
Two-storey round dance
Orubica is a small, charming village on the banks of the Sava River, with a beautiful park and church, near Davor. The unique “Two-storey round dance” is danced there. This dance has been registered with the Ministry of Culture as a protected intangible cultural heritage of the Republic of Croatia. This round dance is danced by 16 girls and 16 lads, 8 of whom climb on the shoulders of the remaining eight dancers, thus building a “storey”. The mode of singing is also protected, which is a song in three voices and two glees, which means that women sing the verse first, and then the men repeat it. The Two-storey round dance is also the name of a folklore event that takes place in late August in Orubica.
Carnival horse riding
The period before the carnival in the localities of Brod and Posavina County is reserved for carnival rides. This is a 200-year-old custom, part of the tradition of the Šokci villages since the time of the military frontier. At that time, the soldiers were riding through the villages, wishing to show and ingratiate themselves to the girls. Today, girls equally participate in the procession and are getting increasingly involved in the processions. The riders in the procession are dressed in riding attires, and the horses are decorated to be the pride of their owners. Along with the riders, there are frequently beautifully arranged carriages in the procession. A fun folklore program is organized in every place during the gathering, and always offers both the participants and the guests a hearty meal with local produce and top-notch “drop”.
