Traditional performance and the question of ownership: ojkanje and silent dance on the Unesco lists

Ojkanje singing and nijemo kolo - silent circle dancing of the Dalmatian hinterland, engaged unexpected media attention in recent years. The inducement was inclusion of both cultural phenomena on the UNESCO intangible cultural heritage lists. The uncommon situation triggered a "new life" of the tradition now recognized as an ownership of the whole nation that, in fact, actualized problems of a re/definition of the musical/dance phenomena. This applies especially to the tradition bearers. Their attitude does not coincide with the common opinion of their global "protectors." The presentation evaluates the current state from the standpoint of the researcher actively involved in the process of recognizing and acknowledging the traditional phenomenon.