The Choosing of The King of Iž

The choosing of the village king or doge is an old European custom dating from the Middle Ages widespread over all our islands but preserved only on the island of Iž, in the locality of Veli Iž.

The oldest record of the Iž king dates from 1730. The king was surely chosen even earlier but no records have been found. We know that there were 127 Iž kings from 1730 to 1879.

In old times, the king was chosen at the date of the Epiphany (January 6th) and he was chosen by the head of the village, the aldermen, former kings and heads of families. He was chosen on Slanac (local square) under a clear sky under Štokov's fig tree and in the presence of the entire village whereby the parish priest recorded the name of the chosen king.

Kings were usually chosen 10, 12, 13 or 14 years in advance. It was some kind of order where they followed one another.  The main thing was that all the families were to be registered (taxed) in the ceremony, because the king had the obligation to honor the entire village on several occasions, and therefore many got into debt, and even over-indebted, and even sold land and olive groves in order to repay their debts. Quite a few of them did not experience debt repayment, so the debt was paid back by their widows or sons. Therefore, we know that many reluctantly accepted the title of king. 

The king did not have any legislative power, nor was he given any special honor except during the three carols (December 27th, January 1st and January 6th) when the village was celebrating and being merry, all on the account of the king. He was then accompanied by a procession to church and back from church.

The royal insignia were: the staff, tambourine (drum) and horn. On the evening of January 6th, when the festivity on Slanac ended with the old king in the forefront, and if the new king was absent then numerous villagers would go to the house of the new king beating their drums and singing and sometimes firing from their pistols (a small gun on Veli Iž).  At the threshold, the old king would hand the insignia to the new king: the staff (with the words: "You are king till the next year!"), tambourine and a fried or grilled dentex with an apple in its mouth.

This custom was restored in 1970 and with short interruptions has continued to the present day.

Today the king is chosen during the summer. A few insignia have been added (crown, jerkin, wooden vessel, etc.), and especially attractive is the arrival of the king in port. According to this custom, the old king always arrives in the village port from hamlet Draga, Maslinčica Cove, with three boats tied in traditional alajo, and the entourage on the boats dressed in national costumes. Old folk songs are sung, horns are blown, torches are lit with great hustle and bustle.

When the king embarks, a procession accompanies him to Slanac and little sailors place lamb skins at his feet so the king would not tread on bare ground.

The villagers feast and sing on stage on Slanac with the old king and then the new one is chosen. Matches (birches) are distributed to the men and the one who draws the biggest match is the king for the upcoming year. It is to be noted that already then, in the circle of those who are in the procession and organization, the new king is well known. The matches are distributed for the people and spectators whereby the choosing would seem at random.

This year, once the king is chosen, entertainment is expected till the early morning hours with the cult group from Split THE BEAT FLEET (T.B.F.), and later followed by the eccentric drummer, vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, the one-man band - SURKA BEATBOX!!

The games JUGO-ZMORAC are a tradition and they take place during the week the king of Iž is chosen. The village is divided into two (jugo and zmorac) and various games are played such as soccer, basketball, water polo, tennis, hopping in bags, pulling the rope, etc. Points are collected and then the best ones are awarded with a cup.

This year the organization of the king of Iž is organized by the youth association Tarabuži - Veli Iž with the assistance of locals.