Macedonian Australian Welfare

Association of Sydney Inc.

MACEDONIAN CULTURAL BRIEFING
Delivered by Andrej Naumovski
Copyright Macedonian Australian
Welfare Association of Sydney Inc.
Macedonian Australian Welfare
Association of Sydney Inc.
MACEDONIAN CULTURAL BRIEFING
Delivered by Andrej Naumovski
Copyright Macedonian Australian
Welfare Association of Sydney Inc.
About MAWA
.Who is MAWA?
.What is the Community Partners Program (CPP)?
.Resources developed by CPP program:
.Perceptions of Dementia in the Macedonian
Community
.Palliative Care Presentation
.Macedonian Cue Cards
.Macedonian Recipe Book
.Macedonian Community Directory
.List of Macedonian Common Words
.Calendar of Significant Religious Days
.Booklet of Traditional Folktales
.Factsheet about Macedonia
About MAWA
.Who is MAWA?
.What is the Community Partners Program (CPP)?
.Resources developed by CPP program:
.Perceptions of Dementia in the Macedonian
Community
.Palliative Care Presentation
.Macedonian Cue Cards
.Macedonian Recipe Book
.Macedonian Community Directory
.List of Macedonian Common Words
.Calendar of Significant Religious Days
.Booklet of Traditional Folktales
.Factsheet about Macedonia
Republic of Macedonia is a modern
multicultural European country built
on its ancient legacy and
predominantly Christian tradition
Republic of Macedonia is a modern
multicultural European country built
on its ancient legacy and
predominantly Christian tradition
Historical background
Ancient Macedonia IV BC
Roman and Byzantine Empire
Settlement of the Slavic tribes VII century
Macedonian Kingdom end of IX beginning of X century
Czar Samoil
Turkish-Ottoman occupation 1390 -1912
Partition of Macedonia 1913
Creation of Yugoslavia 1945
Independent Macedonia 1991 after the breakup of
Yugoslavia
Historical background
Ancient Macedonia IV BC
Roman and Byzantine Empire
Settlement of the Slavic tribes VII century
Macedonian Kingdom end of IX beginning of X century
Czar Samoil
Turkish-Ottoman occupation 1390 -1912
Partition of Macedonia 1913
Creation of Yugoslavia 1945
Independent Macedonia 1991 after the breakup of
Yugoslavia
2006 Census
Macedonians in Australia
By Ancestry 83,978
By Birth in Republic of Macedonia 40,656
By Language 67,833
64% of NSW Macedonians live in Sydney
St George-Sutherland area population 5,569
Canterbury-Bankstown 2,203
Fairfield-Liverpool population 1,842
Sydney 11,630
Melbourne 17,286
Wollongong 4,279
2006 Census
Macedonians in Australia
By Ancestry 83,978
By Birth in Republic of Macedonia 40,656
By Language 67,833
64% of NSW Macedonians live in Sydney
St George-Sutherland area population 5,569
Canterbury-Bankstown 2,203
Fairfield-Liverpool population 1,842
Sydney 11,630
Melbourne 17,286
Wollongong 4,279
Migration
. Pechalbari work migrants
.Countries of origin:
.Republic of Macedonia
.Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece, Albania
.Migration waves:
.The First migrants XIX century
.Post-WWI
.1920 s to USA
.1930 s to Australia
.Post-WWII
.1960-70 s migration wave
.1980-90 s migration wave
.Rural / urban background
.People born in Australia
Migration
. Pechalbari work migrants
.Countries of origin:
.Republic of Macedonia
.Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece, Albania
.Migration waves:
.The First migrants XIX century
.Post-WWI
.1920 s to USA
.1930 s to Australia
.Post-WWII
.1960-70 s migration wave
.1980-90 s migration wave
.Rural / urban background
.People born in Australia
Language ABC = ...
.The script is called Cyrillic named after the Macedonian
Bishop St. Cyril -9th Century.
.31 letters -modified versions are used for the Bulgarian,
Serbian and Russian languages.
.Many dialects understood by all Macedonian speaking people.
.Macedonians coming from countries other than Macedonia may
speak other language.
English Macedonian Pronunciation in English
Hello ...... Zdravo
What is your name? .... .. ......? Kako se vikate?
Where does it hurt you? .... .. ....? Kade te boli?
What do you need? ... .. .....? Sto ti treba?
Language ABC = ...
.The script is called Cyrillic named after the Macedonian
Bishop St. Cyril -9th Century.
.31 letters -modified versions are used for the Bulgarian,
Serbian and Russian languages.
.Many dialects understood by all Macedonian speaking people.
.Macedonians coming from countries other than Macedonia may
speak other language.
English Macedonian Pronunciation in English
Hello ...... Zdravo
What is your name? .... .. ......? Kako se vikate?
Where does it hurt you? .... .. ....? Kade te boli?
What do you need? ... .. .....? Sto ti treba?
Macedonian Religion
.Predominantly Orthodox Christian Religion
.Many keep a cross and icons of the Lord,
Virgin Mary and the Christian Saints in their homes
.The role of the Orthodox Church in social and family life
.Julian Calendar lags 13 days behind the official calendar
.Christmas, Easter, Memorial Saturdays
.Name Days, Saints Days
.Fasting and confession for the Holy Communion
.Elderly prone to traditionally widely accepted superstitions
Macedonian Religion
.Predominantly Orthodox Christian Religion
.Many keep a cross and icons of the Lord,
Virgin Mary and the Christian Saints in their homes
.The role of the Orthodox Church in social and family life
.Julian Calendar lags 13 days behind the official calendar
.Christmas, Easter, Memorial Saturdays
.Name Days, Saints Days
.Fasting and confession for the Holy Communion
.Elderly prone to traditionally widely accepted superstitions
Profile of the aged Macedonians
.Many didn t have a chance to get an education and
often worked low skilled jobs
.Socially isolated and depressed in regions with low
density Macedonian population
.It is important what the neighbours will say ; social
stigma is very strong towards anyone who stands
out of the average social behaviour
.Vulnerable to financial abuse
.Won t discuss outside family about any
terminal illness or mental illness and disability
in the family
.Reluctant to pay for services
.Limited understanding of the service agreements,
rights and responsibilities, difficulties in writing and
filling out forms
.Negative perception of Residential care
services as Place where you go to die
.Most activities evolve around the house, clubs and
seniors groups, activities organised by Church
Profile of the aged Macedonians
.Many didn t have a chance to get an education and
often worked low skilled jobs
.Socially isolated and depressed in regions with low
density Macedonian population
.It is important what the neighbours will say ; social
stigma is very strong towards anyone who stands
out of the average social behaviour
.Vulnerable to financial abuse
.Won t discuss outside family about any
terminal illness or mental illness and disability
in the family
.Reluctant to pay for services
.Limited understanding of the service agreements,
rights and responsibilities, difficulties in writing and
filling out forms
.Negative perception of Residential care
services as Place where you go to die
.Most activities evolve around the house, clubs and
seniors groups, activities organised by Church
Macedonian family
.Family had patriarchal social structure
.Man is the head of the family
(woman is the neck that turns the head)
.2001 study in Macedonia: 61% of women exposed to psychological
violence, 24% to physical violence and 5% to sexual violence
.Extended family is centre of the social life gathers together on Sundays
and Holidays
.Intergenerational conflict generation gap
.Sons are expected / hoped to care for old and sick parents
.Families generally take shifts in taking care of elderly parents
.Words carer and respite care don t exist in Macedonian culture
caring for elderly and ill is integral part of life
.Women babysit their grandchildren
Macedonian family
.Family had patriarchal social structure
.Man is the head of the family
(woman is the neck that turns the head)
.2001 study in Macedonia: 61% of women exposed to psychological
violence, 24% to physical violence and 5% to sexual violence
.Extended family is centre of the social life gathers together on Sundays
and Holidays
.Intergenerational conflict generation gap
.Sons are expected / hoped to care for old and sick parents
.Families generally take shifts in taking care of elderly parents
.Words carer and respite care don t exist in Macedonian culture
caring for elderly and ill is integral part of life
.Women babysit their grandchildren
Social Life
.Traditionally house bound, didn t go to clubs
.Visits to extended families and friends over lunch
.Greeting handshake; friends kiss on the cheek and hug
.Social activities -going to church, celebrate saints
days or taking part in a dancing or a social group
.Pensioners sit around on benches and chat all day
.They enjoy Macedonian newspapers and radio programs
Social Life
.Traditionally house bound, didn t go to clubs
.Visits to extended families and friends over lunch
.Greeting handshake; friends kiss on the cheek and hug
.Social activities -going to church, celebrate saints
days or taking part in a dancing or a social group
.Pensioners sit around on benches and chat all day
.They enjoy Macedonian newspapers and radio programs
Macedonian media
.SBS TWO -News from Macedonia
.Mon-Sat 8:30am
.Sun 5:00pm
.Radio programs
.SBS Radio 16:00pm every day
.Many other programs
.Macedonian newspapers
.Today Denes
.Macedonian News
.Australian Macedonian Weekly
Macedonian media
.SBS TWO -News from Macedonia
.Mon-Sat 8:30am
.Sun 5:00pm
.Radio programs
.SBS Radio 16:00pm every day
.Many other programs
.Macedonian newspapers
.Today Denes
.Macedonian News
.Australian Macedonian Weekly
Health and attitudes
.Greatly respect the doctor, but regard it as a last resort
.Fatalistic attitudes to health a factor leading to unhealthy behaviours e.g.
low breast cancer screening rates
.Traditional medicines -home remedies, teas, herbal solutions, ointments
.Common use of traditional healers (fortune teller, clairvoyant, witch doctor)
even with access to medical facilities
.High cholesterol and blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis and osteoporosis,
anxiety and depression
.No word for dementia associated with senility
.Strong stigma towards disabled and mentally ill community can be very
unforgiving and cruel problems are kept within the family and services not
adequately utilised
.Keep the home clean
Health and attitudes
.Greatly respect the doctor, but regard it as a last resort
.Fatalistic attitudes to health a factor leading to unhealthy behaviours e.g.
low breast cancer screening rates
.Traditional medicines -home remedies, teas, herbal solutions, ointments
.Common use of traditional healers (fortune teller, clairvoyant, witch doctor)
even with access to medical facilities
.High cholesterol and blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis and osteoporosis,
anxiety and depression
.No word for dementia associated with senility
.Strong stigma towards disabled and mentally ill community can be very
unforgiving and cruel problems are kept within the family and services not
adequately utilised
.Keep the home clean
Access to community
and residential services
.Low participation rates
.Lack of awareness of the services, culturally
inappropriate services, language barriers, client attitude
to disabilities and stigma, negative past experience
of services, lack of trust, dependence on the family
.Community services preferred CACP, EACH or just family support
.Placing a family member into a nursing home -a shame on the family
.The division of the family is stressful for everyone
.Residents like to be referred to as either aunty (teta) and uncle (chicho),
grandma (baba) or grandpa (dedo)
.Use of gender appropriate interpreters
.Family interprets what they deem appropriate and won t translate the whole
truth
Access to community
and residential services
.Low participation rates
.Lack of awareness of the services, culturally
inappropriate services, language barriers, client attitude
to disabilities and stigma, negative past experience
of services, lack of trust, dependence on the family
.Community services preferred CACP, EACH or just family support
.Placing a family member into a nursing home -a shame on the family
.The division of the family is stressful for everyone
.Residents like to be referred to as either aunty (teta) and uncle (chicho),
grandma (baba) or grandpa (dedo)
.Use of gender appropriate interpreters
.Family interprets what they deem appropriate and won t translate the whole
truth
Food
.A report by WHO 2002: over the last 30 years consumption of fruit, vegetables
and dairy products in Macedonia below recommended levels
.Macedonian hospitality is inseparably associated with offering food to the gues
t
.Capsicums and chillies -fried or roasted + cheese
.Potatoes, Cabbage fresh and sour. Beans are inevitable. Meat, eggs.
Similarities with Eastern European kitchen.
.Homemade pastries
.Family gathers at the table to eat, drink and socialise
.Some people fast regularly before the significant religious days e.g. weeks
before Christmas, Easter etc.
.Pastries called pita -pide , maznik or zelnik , burek , banica , filled with
cheese, spinach, leek, meat.
Food
.A report by WHO 2002: over the last 30 years consumption of fruit, vegetables
and dairy products in Macedonia below recommended levels
.Macedonian hospitality is inseparably associated with offering food to the gues
t
.Capsicums and chillies -fried or roasted + cheese
.Potatoes, Cabbage fresh and sour. Beans are inevitable. Meat, eggs.
Similarities with Eastern European kitchen.
.Homemade pastries
.Family gathers at the table to eat, drink and socialise
.Some people fast regularly before the significant religious days e.g. weeks
before Christmas, Easter etc.
.Pastries called pita -pide , maznik or zelnik , burek , banica , filled with
cheese, spinach, leek, meat.
Palliative care
.Like in many other cultures, speaking about dying is a taboo
people are afraid that they will invoke death by mentioning it
.Prior to 1980 s Palliative care units in Macedonia did
not exist. Patients cared for by family at home until death
.Family will protect the terminal patient or even a member
of the family by not telling them the truth
.In some instances patient may request staff not to tell the family
.The illness is kept a secret within family in fear of gloating and gossip,
usually by other countrymen
.It is preferred that the terminally ill die in the family home
.Family members may visit palliative care units and help with care
.Priest will say prayers and give the Holy Communion to terminally ill
.The body of the deceased can be handled without significant
restrictions, usually cleaned and dressed up for the burial.
Palliative care
.Like in many other cultures, speaking about dying is a taboo
people are afraid that they will invoke death by mentioning it
.Prior to 1980 s Palliative care units in Macedonia did
not exist. Patients cared for by family at home until death
.Family will protect the terminal patient or even a member
of the family by not telling them the truth
.In some instances patient may request staff not to tell the family
.The illness is kept a secret within family in fear of gloating and gossip,
usually by other countrymen
.It is preferred that the terminally ill die in the family home
.Family members may visit palliative care units and help with care
.Priest will say prayers and give the Holy Communion to terminally ill
.The body of the deceased can be handled without significant
restrictions, usually cleaned and dressed up for the burial.
Barriers to Accessing
Services
.Language not enough Macedonian speaking staff
.Lack of access translated information and interpreters not
available or expensive to use
.Cultural Barriers mainstream services lack knowledge about
Macedonian culture
.Geographic Isolation -small or non-existent social and support
groups
Barriers to Accessing
Services
.Language not enough Macedonian speaking staff
.Lack of access translated information and interpreters not
available or expensive to use
.Cultural Barriers mainstream services lack knowledge about
Macedonian culture
.Geographic Isolation -small or non-existent social and support
groups
Thank you
Contact Details:
Andrej Naumovski
Project Officer
Community Partners Program
PO Box 392, Rockdale NSW 2216
Phone: (02) 9597 5455 Fax: (02) 9567 3326
Email: cpp@sgmrc.org.au
Thank you
Contact Details:
Andrej Naumovski
Project Officer
Community Partners Program
PO Box 392, Rockdale NSW 2216
Phone: (02) 9597 5455 Fax: (02) 9567 3326
Email: cpp@sgmrc.org.au