Forgotten world of old šokadija revealed through folklore
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Mata Baboselac Mišin, a researcher from Donja Bebrina in Croatia, has been collecting and preserving the folk culture of the old Šokadija region for years.
He traveled through numerous villages, including areas around Slavonski Brod, Županja, Osijek, and even into Bosnia, to speak with older residents and record their stories, beliefs, and local vocabulary.
Baboselac’s work resulted in the book “Zagonetni život Šokadije” (The Mysterious Life of Šokadija), which details a world where mythical creatures like fairies, witches, and ghouls were part of everyday life, and riddles provided entertainment. The book reflects how people in the past sought to understand their surroundings, often attributing unexplained events to curses, magic, or supernatural beings.
Dubravka Pletikapić-Ćosić, a long-time collaborator of Baboselac, explains that these stories represent an attempt to explain the unknown and were sometimes used to scare children into good behavior. “Zagonetni život Šokadija” is divided into three sections. One explores regional variations in names for common objects, another focuses on traditional healing and beliefs, and the final section contains 500 folk riddles.
Ružica Bobovečki, director of the Slavonski Brod library, emphasizes the book’s importance in preserving the language and cultural memory of the Šokadija people, offering insight into the lives and perspectives of past generations.
