RUSALLIAS – A BASIS FOR PROMOTING ETHNO-TOURISM IN EASTERN SERBIA
RUSALLIAS – A BASIS FOR PROMOTING ETHNO-TOURISM IN EASTERN SERBIA

Author(s): Dobrila Lukić, Slađana Anđelković
Subject(s): Economy, National Economy, Tourism
Published by: Udruženje ekonomista i menadžera Balkana
Keywords: Ethno-tourism;Rusallias;Vlachs;Eastern Serbia;Balkan Peninsula;
Summary/Abstract: As a distinct type of cultural tourism, ethno-tourism represents a possible and sustainablebusiness activity that may be beneficial to the growth and recovery of underdeveloped areas in EasternSerbia. This primarily relates to areas where the tourism industry has not picked up yet, but which dohave a local cultural potential that may be used to give a shape to a cultural and artistic experienceintended not only for tourists, but also for the local community. The aim of this paper is to present theRusallia ritual as a possible form of ethno-tourism. This ritual, in which women, known as Rusallias,fall into a trance, is typical of the Vlachs native to Eastern Serbia and takes place on the Day of Pentecost.The purpose of fostering this form of ethno-tourism would be to protect and preserve intangiblecultural heritage in that region. With regard to this, the paper will analyse contemporary ethnographicresearch on this custom as well as anthropogeographic research on the Balkan Peninsula carried outby Jovan Cvijic.

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