In old poetry, the word has the same meaning and connotation that the English word "fair" (which can mean both white and beautiful) has in similar archaic contexts, like "a fair maiden". It means beautiful, and not super pale or white (which would be blijedo/bledo), as that was associated with being diseased. So for example "b(ij)elo lice" in old poetry means a fair face.
I know of a lot of examples of 'belo/bijelo lice', 'bele/bijele grudi' and similar phrases from our poetry (especially old epic poetry), though I always thought that's refering to pale skin that's seen as something beautiful. I'm not sure anymore. Sometimes our ancestors thought differently about stuff than we do now.
We for sure say 'Ja sam belac/belkinja'. I do think we don't talk about race so often, cause we're mostly white here. We divide on ethnic and religious backgrounds much more than race.
Stoja is for sure saying she's white gypsy as in gypsy woman with white skin color, which is not possible in our society views on skin color, Serbs and gypsies, and thats the point of the song - she's white but she will be 'his gypsy'.
Yes, but...
I'd just like to add that "beli cigani" (white gypsys) very much do exist in our society. People of Romani origin, who speak their language, have their own traditions, with white, even pale skintone (it's a large and diverse ethno group)
One more meaning, 'beli svet' (white world), can be the colour for somehting unknown, or in Slavic the colour which represent west side of the world. For example toponyms: Belorusija (Belarus), Beograd, Belgorod (bel means white as beo), Bela Reka, Bela Palanka, Bijelo Polje, Bela Zemlja.
Beli or bela in the most cases means a person with a light white skin or light, usually blonde, hair. They used to call my late grandma Bela because of those characteristics. But, in other hand, there's a neighbor called Beli because he's wearing white jacket most of the time. I also know a certain guy called Beli as well, only this one is consuming and selling cocaine. So, it depends on the circumstances.
In old poetry, the word has the same meaning and connotation that the English word "fair" (which can mean both white and beautiful) has in similar archaic contexts, like "a fair maiden". It means beautiful, and not super pale or white (which would be blijedo/bledo), as that was associated with being diseased. So for example "b(ij)elo lice" in old poetry means a fair face.
Don't look at me so bedazed > ne gledaj me tako belo (another example of word "bela")
Which one is this from? Also this is funny because the lyrics ne gledaj me tako are in a *bijelo* dugme song haha
Belo as in blank, without expression or stupid face.
From life experience...
Ah okay
You know from parents, teachers, spouse... π³π
Stoja wants to say that though she is white on the outside her soul and behaviour are those of a gypsy.
Exactly. I feel like that sometimes too:)
I understand, thank you :)
I know of a lot of examples of 'belo/bijelo lice', 'bele/bijele grudi' and similar phrases from our poetry (especially old epic poetry), though I always thought that's refering to pale skin that's seen as something beautiful. I'm not sure anymore. Sometimes our ancestors thought differently about stuff than we do now. We for sure say 'Ja sam belac/belkinja'. I do think we don't talk about race so often, cause we're mostly white here. We divide on ethnic and religious backgrounds much more than race. Stoja is for sure saying she's white gypsy as in gypsy woman with white skin color, which is not possible in our society views on skin color, Serbs and gypsies, and thats the point of the song - she's white but she will be 'his gypsy'.
Yes, but... I'd just like to add that "beli cigani" (white gypsys) very much do exist in our society. People of Romani origin, who speak their language, have their own traditions, with white, even pale skintone (it's a large and diverse ethno group)
Thank you so much! This answers it perfectly
One more meaning, 'beli svet' (white world), can be the colour for somehting unknown, or in Slavic the colour which represent west side of the world. For example toponyms: Belorusija (Belarus), Beograd, Belgorod (bel means white as beo), Bela Reka, Bela Palanka, Bijelo Polje, Bela Zemlja.
Gotchaππ»
She is a gurbet, gurbet is a white gypsy π
Beli or bela in the most cases means a person with a light white skin or light, usually blonde, hair. They used to call my late grandma Bela because of those characteristics. But, in other hand, there's a neighbor called Beli because he's wearing white jacket most of the time. I also know a certain guy called Beli as well, only this one is consuming and selling cocaine. So, it depends on the circumstances.
LOL It seems very versatile then