Croatia

The Republic of Croatia was, until 1991, a part of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, but historically it has had close ties with Italy. The region was dominated by Venice during medieval and early modern times, and then was a part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until the end of World War I. With its own cultural identity stretching back to medieval times, a vast 90 percent of the population are ethnic Croats, and 96 percent speak Croatian.

Many traditional Eastern European games and pursuits were played until the early 20th century. Men were involved in woodwork, metalwork, and leatherwork, spending much time with their boys, teaching them about crafts. losip Broz (Tito) spoke of his childhood in the village of Kumrovec in Croatia in the late 1890s and 1900s, during which he said he was involved in playing with other boys from the village, fighting Slovene boys from nearby, fishing and hunting for hickory, and also taking part in gymnastics at school. He also spoke fondly of ptkusa, which was a combination of hockey, cricket, and golf, with five boys on each side.

Although small girls often played in streets with boys, women and girls predominantly remained in the family home, where they would be involved in spinning, weaving, and sewing, making some of the costume that has come to represent Croatia, from the pill-box cap to the loose pants worn by men. Indeed, it was the brightly colored ties made in Croatia that became known in France as cravats before becoming fashionable throughout the world. Lace and quilting are also popular. For men working in the fields, especially shepherds, the playing of flutes, a instrument that resembles the bagpipes, and also yodeling were common.