Serbian Epics

Serbian epic poetry (Serbian: Српске епске народне песме, romanized: Srpske epske narodne pesme) is a form of epic poetry created by Serbs originating in today's Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro and North Macedonia. The main cycles were composed by unknown Serb authors between the 14th and 19th centuries. They are largely concerned with historical events and personages. The instrument accompanying the epic poetry is the gusle. Serbian epic poetry helped in developing the Serbian national consciousness. The cycles of Prince Marko, hajduks and Uskoks inspired the Serbs to restore their freedom and heroic past. The hajduks in particular are seen as an integral part of national identity; in stories, the hajduks were heroes: they played the role of the Serbian elite during Ottoman rule, they defended the Serbs against Ottoman oppression, and paved the way for the national liberation.