Sacred journeys: Letnica in Kosovo

Abstract

From the anthropological linguistics perspective this paper tries to trace the transformations of pilgrimage to the Roman Catholic shrine in Letnica (Kosovo), in the Day of Assumption over the course of the previous century. The analysis is based on the fieldwork data collected in the Serb Kosovo enclaves and refugee centers in 2003. Contemporary internet data on Letnica shrine and documentary video material containing interviews with pilgrims, were also used as reliable data on subjective perception of the shrine. Serb oral testimonies on their personal ways of travelling and reasons for pilgrimage to Letnica were combined with historical and anthropological data.

Keywords

• pilgrimage
• sacred journey
• Letnica
• enclave
• communitas