Živana Antonijević


Živana Antonijević or Blind Živana was Serbian storyteller, female gusle player and one of the most important sources for Serbian epic poetry recorded by Vuk Karadžić. Vuk would always distinguish between пјевачи ствараоци and пјевачи преносиоци . Živana Antonijević, along with three other female gusle players and composers, Jeca, Slepa Stepanija, and another unnamed woman, were in the creative category.
Živana was one of favorite women singers of Vuk Karadžić who published seven songs recorded from her:
In both of these songs Živana refers to an old folk belief i.e. that the patron saint hovers over the shoulder of his protégé, and acts accordingly.
Here Živana talks of the holy duty of pobratismo. When Alil-Aga realizes that he is going to lose and will have to pay with his life, he pleads to Marko to accept his pledge of 'brother-unto-God'. The two men become brothers for life.
In "Nahod Momir" Živana describes the proper ritual when a foundling is being accepted as adopted son by the czar and later the czaritsa herself.
Some other songs are also recorded from her, including:
In "The unfaithful wife of Grujica" Živana tells us of the love of a parent for his little son.
Jelisaveta Marković, who was also a blind storyteller was Živana's apprentice.