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New Book - A Balkan Custom
Books
on folk dance customs and myths are very difficult to
find and those students and teachers involved in serious
research will find this new book, A Balkan Custom
– Half as old as Time by Nigel Allenby Jaffé,
a very interesting read. In the Balkans many ancient
traditional rituals are still performed, and these are
illustrated with a wonderful collection of photographs.
Where did all these begin? The author, through his research
into living rituals takes you on a journey into that
fascinating realm of ancient Greece and the history,
mythology, ethnology and background. It sounds a heavy
read but the author has brought to the writing of this
book a mix of seriousness and frivolity. It is at times
a serious study but it is also very amusing with a jocular
observation on some of the facts and events, both ancient
and modern. Important rituals had a very sincere and
‘holy day’ demeanour but were also a holiday
and that is what this book is about.
A
very valuable and informative book to all on a research
programme and also an absorbing read to all those who
just love dance and wish to extend their knowledge.
Robert Harrold
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Balkan Custom – Half as Old as Time (A study in
Ancient Myth and Living Ritual) by Nigel Allenby
Jaffé. ISBN 978-1-4120-8632-5.
Available online: Traffordcom/06-0388. £25
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