Džoka is a part of men's and women's costume, a short sleeveless cloak made of finer fabric, as a component of the costume of the local people of earlier times, especially the people of western Herzegovina. Today, it resembles a waistcoat that protects the back. Original specimens of this garment are rare and belong to the ethnological treasure of Herzegovina. What is special about this original cloak shown on the picture is the multicolored cord, which is sewn onto the fabric by hand and creates a perfect harmony of colors and shapes.
The picture shows the „chest part” of this waistcoat, in the photo of the old Association of Saint Anthony of Padua, founded in 1872 in the Franciscan monastery in Mostar. At the time, the Association was the sponsor of numerous social, cultural and educational events in Herzegovina. In all the years the Association existed, but also today, in the last 30 years since the renewal, the renewed Association under the name HKUD “Sv. Ante - Cim" Mostar, great attention has been paid to the preservation of the ethnological treasures of the Croats in these areas.
In addition to the postage stamp itself, there is also a seal with the original appearance of the Association’s first seal, a shield with cross and spike, as a symbol of the religious and busy life of the citizens and the Association at the time. The first day cover bears the memory of the Association’s handwritten rules of 150 years ago.
(Marinko Jurić)
