Historiography of the Gnjilane District

This valley is located in the eastern part of Kosovo, between the mountains of Skopska Crna Gora to the south and Zhegovac and other smaller elevations to the north. The South Morava River, called Morava by the locals, flows through this valley.

The first records related to the existence of Gnjilane date back to the 14th century. Emperor Stefan Dušan the Mighty visited Ružica, as Gnjilane was called at that time, around 1351. He crossed the famous Mašketa Bridge over the Dobruša River in the center of the town, leaving a lasting mark on this Serbian place. At that time, near Gnjilane in the fortress of Prilepac, Saint Prince Lazar Hrebeljanović was born. In 1389, during the famous Battle of Kosovo, he opposed the Islamic advance and tried to defend Christian Europe. Much later, after the Serbian-Turkish war in the 19th century, Gnjilane unfortunately fell under Turkish rule. During that time, a famous song was created that best illustrates the mood of the Serbian people: "Oj Gnjilane, pusta varos, zar za tebe nema radost, dođe Srbin, pa se vrati, a Gnjilane jos da pati" (Oh, Gnjilane, a deserted town, is there no joy left for you? A Serb comes and then goes back, but Gnjilane continues to suffer). Gnjilane was finally liberated from Turkish rule in 1912. Today, Gnjilane is home to several dozen Serbs, with the administrative center located in the village of Šilovo.

The Serbian people from this region have managed to preserve their culture and heritage in a unique way, wisely choosing to maintain their presence in the area they settled, cultivated, and improved for generations, alongside their church. They educate the youth to love their traditions. Particularly active in this regard are the Cultural Artistic Society "Radomir Popović" and "Simonida" from Ranilug, as well as other organizations that make a significant contribution to preserving  Serbian cultural heritage.

It should be noted in particular that this region has preserved the local tradition of clothing, so that
folk costumes are still worn today, especially on festive occasions, and they are an indispensable
part of the bride and groom's attire at weddings.

Gnjilane has always been characterized by a specific aesthetic. Both the traditional costumes and architecture of this region are characterized by a love for decoration and colorful ornamentation, but in a harmonious and balanced way, without excessive extravagance. Just like in life and the decoration of objects, the folk dances and songs of the Gnjilane region are characterized by abundance and vividness. 

In the dances of the Gnjilane region, small steps prevail, which serve as an element of decoration within the framework of moderate and restrained dance style. In this respect, this region can be compared to Pristina. In Gnjilane and its surroundings, there is a clear differentiation between male and female dances, with male dances featuring somewhat freer movements, while separate female dances depict girls as the most restrained imaginable.