The video published on the social network caused conflicting comments, and what about Hello! explained Emina Nikolic, activist of the Educational and Cultural Community of Roma from Kragujevac, it is not about Roma tradition
When life does unpredictable things and a young person dies before their 18th birthday, there is immense pain and sadness. But one Roma family didn't let that stop them, so they organized a coming of age celebration at the cemetery.
It is about Aleksandar Radosavljevic, born in 2004, who died at the age of 17. The Tiktok video went viral, and judging by the comments, social media users were the most appalled.
"I don't understand this", "I don't know whether to cry or laugh", "What about the music?"... and there were those who wrote that in some parts of Serbia, such customs prevail and that this is how families honor him tribute to the deceased member.
Celebrating the coming of age of a deceased person in a cemetery is not part of Roma culture and customs, she told Hello! Emina Nikolic, activist of the Educational and Cultural Community of Roma from Kragujevac.
- It is not and must not be presented as a Romani custom. Tradition is very important for the Roma, they have been in these areas for a long time and most of them respect and appreciate the customs of the environment where they live. When it comes to the Roma of Orthodox and Muslim faith, some customs are kept or as we say the customs related to weddings and funerals, but the celebration of the 18th birthday in the cemetery is certainly not part of them, this event reminds me of a black wedding from the Wallachia region - she said it is Nikolic's.
The members of the family of the deceased Radosavljevic brought to the grave site a rich table, which resembled a buffet, with cake and candles, and decorated the marble slab with balloons with the number 18. One of the women, probably the mother, filmed herself, took photos and video - someone is calling. of the transmitter.
Some used this event for black humor and wished the deceased to be alive and well.
