Customs of the Ancient Macedonians in Macedonian National Tradition

The impact of the methodological research of this paper is to highlight ancient Macedonian customs and their influence in the modern Republic of Macedonia. Rather than being altered, vestiges of the past are almost unchanged in some rural areas, as are Macedonian folk beliefs. Indigenous traditions of the ancient Macedonians abounded with numerous ritual activities, although to some correspond with the customs of other ancient peoples. However, these practices do have specific features that characterize the folk tradition of the ancient Macedonians interpreted and can be seen as guardians of the Macedonian identity. Although 2,000 years have passed from the ancient period to the present, and it is a bit hypothetical to interpret the rudiments of customs and celebrations from that time, we can allow ourselves to conclude that certain ritual actions from the ancient period, although modified, still largely correspond to the current Macedonian folk customs and beliefs, both in terms of the time of celebration and in terms of ritual actions, procedures and symbolism. Their continuity reflects the Macedonian identity, from antiquity to today.