KUMPANIJA - KNIGHT SOCIETY  - Blato

 "Kumpanija", a knight society from Blato on Island Korčula, is certainly one of the oldest units of the kind in Croatia.  The Oldest written document mentioning "Kumpanija" is the Statute of Korčula brought in 1214.  An organized unit carrying this name was established on the island.  The unit was named Kumpanija (society).  It was a unit that defended Korčula from various invaders through centuries.  

The unit performed this honorable task until the island became a part of Austria and a regular recruitment of young men for- the regular army began.  After the introduction of firearms, Kumpanija lost its military character becoming just a folklore attraction.  In the course of the turbulent past of the island the members of Kumpanija (Kumpanjoli) had to fight their enemies very often, fighting against foreign intruders and pirates.

They especially excelled in 1571 by repulsing the army of Uluz-Alija that was lying siege 

to the town and island Korčula.  At Blato itself Kumpanija opposed foreign intruders defending its position and property.  Thus in 1571 big fights were recorded, some time before the Uluz-Alija's aggression on the town Korčula.

Dr. Ivan Ivančan described Kumpanija, “a fighting dance” as men’s fencing game, in his book about Kumpanija.  The fencing game consists of old ritual elements, dance elements from central Europe and dance elements from the Dinara region.  All the nations or ethnic groups who lived on the island left their traces in the dance-game, The dance-game itself consists of 23 dancing figures, each of them having a particular meaning.  The dance-game is performed without words and the members of Kumpanij (Kumpanjoli) follow their captain who gives orders by movements.  The most important annual performance of Kumpanija takes place on April 28th, at the festivity of st.  Vincenza who is the patron saint of Blato.  On this occasion the dance-game is performed unabridged and according

 to the original rules.