Kafečajnice ('coffee and tea houses') in Novi Pazar: Social, Ethnic, Cultural, and Religious Aspects of Hospitality in a Multicultural Environment

Folkloristics 10/2 (2025): 149–186
Author: Saša Nedeljković
Text:

Due to the lack of research on hospitality in multicultural environments, research was conducted in Novi Pazar, Novopazarska Banja, and Tutin during 2023 and 2024. The aim of the research was to study the relationships between different hospitality traditions, i.e., between hospitality establishments of different ethnic and/or confessional groups, through participant observation, analysis of archival material and in-depth interviews with owners and guests of hospitality establishments, as well as to determine the place and role of hospitality in the overall social and cultural system of the local community. In the system of different hospitality establishments, the kafečajnica was recognized and singled out as the form that carries the most information regarding the research questions, and was therefore chosen as the central point of the research. Based on the collected material, it can be concluded that the catering industry in Novi Pazar is divided along ethnic, confessional, generational, professional, and gender lines. The boundaries between the segments of society divided in this way have a more symbolic rather than practical function, and are not insurmountable, but they do not lose their significance over time. It is certain that the catering industry plays a very important role in the regulation of social relations, i.e., in maintaining the existing structure of relations and power relations. In this system, kafečajnice represent the strongest resistance to change, firmly adhering to Islam, oriental heritage and patriarchal order. In cooperation with taverns, clubs, and cafes, they build a fairly solid and closed system into which changes enter slowly, but irreversibly. Based on the identified elements or dimensions of hospitality (location of the facility, appearance or aesthetics, offer, service, working methods, working hours, relationship between the owner and their guests), different types of influences (Oriental or Ottoman, firstly, Islamic, secondly, and Western, thirdly) and their mutual relationship were observed. While the first are noticeable primarily in appearance, service, offer, and manner of communication, the second is more pronounced in location, restrictions in offer, and working hours. Both of these cultural systems have impact on the selection of the type of guests (older men and believers). The third, Western influence, stands in some way in opposition to the first two.

Keywords: Novi Pazar, hospitality, kafečajnice, social functions, cultural influences.