Bosnian Superstitions | Promaja, Rituals and the Strange Customs People Still Believe

An Englishman in the Balkans is a personal podcast about life, travel, culture, and storytelling in Bosnia and Herzegovina, told from the perspective of a British-born creator who has made this country home.

Expect gentle reflections, real places, local voices, field recordings, and stories that go beyond the usual headlines.

What happens when everyday life is shaped by beliefs passed down through generations?

In this episode, I sit down for a lively conversation about some of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s most enduring superstitions, rituals and curious customs. We begin with the dreaded promaja, the cross-draught many people here genuinely believe can cause a stiff neck, an ear infection or something even worse.

After more than 25 years of living in Bosnia and Herzegovina, I have learned that these beliefs are far more than amusing pieces of folklore. They remain part of everyday conversations, family advice and the small rituals people follow almost without thinking.

From open windows and sitting on cold concrete to the customs surrounding luck, health and protection, this is a warm and entertaining look at the beliefs that continue to shape daily life in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

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