Montenegrins
popplace=
Montenegro (2003):[Unofficial results of Montenegro census 2003]
267,000 (as Montenegrins)
Serbia (2002)[Official results of Serbia census 2002, Republic bureau of statistics)] :
70,000 (as Montenegrins) Canada: 1,055 [1]
Note: Many persons of Montenegrin origin declare ethnic affiliation in censuses as Serb. Thus, it is difficult to establish the exact numbers; up to few million people in Serbia and BiH might have one or more ancestors from Montenegro. | langs=Serbian, sometimes referred to as Montenegrin | rels=Overwhelmingly Serbian Orthodox, also Montenegrin Orthodox . | related=Other Slavic peoples, especially South Slavs
Montenegrins (Serbian (Sometimes referred to as Montenegrin): Црногорци / Crnogorci) are a South Slavic people who are primarily associated with the Republic of Montenegro. In both English and Serbo-Croat, the term denotes both the nation and the ethnic group. However, the issue of Montenegrin ethnicity is debated, especially since the late 20th century, as many Montenegrins do not opt for Serbian ethnic affiliation as the primary one (or at all) any more. The split has deepened further since the movement for full Montenegrin independence from the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia began to gain ground in the mid-1990s (and ultimately narrowly succeeded in the referendum of May 2006, having been rejected in 1992).
In the 2002 census, around 267,000 or 43.2% of the population of Montenegro identified themselves as ethnic Montenegrins, while around 198,000 or 32.0% identified themselves as Serbs. The number of "Montenegrins" and "Serbs" fluctuates wildly from census to census not due to real changes in the populace, but due to changes how people experience their identity. According to the 2002 census, there are around 69,000 ethnic Montenegrins in Serbia, accounting for 0.92% of the population. The number of Montenegrin citizens in Serbia runs to several hundred thousand, but most of them identify as Serbs. In addition, a significant number of Serbs in Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina are of Montenegrin ancestry, but exact numbers are difficult to assess.OverviewMontenegro was settled by waves of Slavs in the 6th and 7th century. Its people enjoyed a degree of autonomy throughout their history. Under Ottoman rule, Montenegro was inhabited by quarreling Serb clans that were later unified under the House of Petrović. The Montenegrins joined Serbia in 1918 and were registered as Serbs in the 1921 and 1931 population census. However, disappointment in the union with Serbia led to a movement for recognition of separate Montenegrin ethnicity, which was ultimately achieved under the Communist regime of the second Yugoslavia and maintained in the democratic regimes after the fall of Communism. 90% of people in Montenegro registered as Montenegrin in 1948. However, due to gradual re-establishment of Serbian ethnic affiliation, it has been falling ever since, down to 40% in 2003.Medieval era | Mihailo Voislav, the first recognized ruler of Duklja on a fresco in the Church of St. Michael in Ston |
Slavs have migrated from the Bay of Kotor to the River of Bojana in the first half of the 7th century, and formed a Principality of Doclea (Duklja) from the land given to them by the Byzantine Emperor Heraclius. The population was a mixture of the dominant Slavic pagans and Latinized Romans along the Byzantine enclaves at the coastline, including some Illyrian descendants. Although the principality enjoyed de jure independence, it attracted Serbian influence in the 9th century. Under the missions of Saint Cyril and Saint Methodius, the population was Christianized. From the dawn of the High Middle Ages, the population of Duklja was identified as Serbian.
In the 10th and 11th centuries, Doklja was possessed or granted vassal status at various times by Bulgarian, Byzantine and Rascian rulers, while domestic rulers like Jovan Vladimir, Stefan Voislav and Mihailo Vojislav managed to wield temporary control on several occasions. With the 1054 Great Schism, the Docleans fell under the domain of the Catholic Church. Bar became a Bishopric in 1067 and in 1082 an Archbishopric of an autocephalous Serbian branch of the Catholic Church. | Saint Jovan Vladimir (990-1016), Prince of Duklja |
The expansions of the Kings of the House of Vojislavljević reunited all former Serbian lands, including Zahumlje, Bosnia and Rascia. The might of the Doclei declined and they generally became again subjected to the Grand Princes of Rascia in the 12th century. Stefan Nemanja, the future unifier of the Serbs was born in 1117 in Ribnica. In 1186, as Serbian Duke, Stefan Nemanja launched an offensive against this Greek Land, besieging and raising numerous cities, except for Kotor which surrendered peacefully. Nemanja, after converting to Orthodoxy, introduced nearly non-existent Orthodox Christianity to the population of Duklja. Latin cultural advancement was effectively put to a halt by seizing the production of Latin books.
During the 12th century, the area became known as the Principality of Zeta. Between 1276 and 1309, Zeta was ruled by the Queen Jelena, widow of Serbian King Uroš I. She secured autonomy for Zeta within Nemanjić's Serbia and built and restored around 50 monasteries, most notably Saint Srđ and Vakh on the Bojana River under Shkodër/Skadar. The name Montenegro (Crna Gora) is mentioned for the first time in the charter of St. Nicholas' monastery in Vranjina, dating to 1296 during Jelena's reign. Under King Milutin (Uroš II) Nemanjić, at the beginning of the 14th century, the Archdiocese in Bar was the biggest feudal lord in Zeta.
Throughout the 14th century, the Houses of Balšić and Crnojević contested for control over the Montenegrin territories until the Crnojević attained supremacy in the 14th century. Under the Crnojevićs, the Serbian Church reached its peak. In 1496, the Ottomans conquered part, but not all, of Montenegro.Modern timesIn the 19th century national romanticism among the South Slavs generated an increasing desire for unification, particularly between the Montenegrins and the Serbians, which became increasingly considered as two parts of a single Serbian nation among many.
The closeness of Montenegrin ethnic identity with that of the Serbs is evidenced by a number of cultural and political factors during this period: | Cover of the "Serbian textbook" of 1836 |
* During Petar I Petrović Njegoš's reign, the basic textbook in state schools was called "The Serb elementary reading book". Another edition was published during Petar II Petrović Njegoš's rule;
* During the reign of Danilo II Petrović Njegoš, students had classes in Montenegrin history as well as Serbian history;
* Numerous school certificates, passports and similar documents preserved marked the bearer's nationality as "Serbian";
* The 1909 census, undertaken by the Principality of Montenegro, recorded that 95% of the population identified themselves as Serbs;
* In November 26 1918, the Podgorica Assembly voted for "union of the people", declaring a joint Kingdom of Serbia.
Both Montenegro and Serbia remained separate until 1918, when both kingdoms became part of the newly-forged Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, later Yugoslavia. The royal Yugoslav government made the national unification of the Montenegrins and the Serbians into a policy, although this unconditional merger voted on by the Podgorica Assembly on November 26, 1918 was seen by some of the Montenegrins as an imposition, given that Montenegro was downgraded into a province of the new Yugoslav kingdom. A number of Montenegrin chieftans rose up in arms during January 1919 in an uprising against the decisions of Podgorica Assembly, better known as the Christmas Rebellion. The uprising enjoyed extensive support from the Kingdom of Italy, both in the planning stages as well as arms supply and logistics during the uprising itself. Kingdom of Italy was firmly opposed to the creation of a joint South Slavic state - Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes on December 1, 1918. | Report of the Chicago Tribune on massacres by Serb troops conducted in Montenegro - "The bloodiest slaughter spot in Europe" 1919. |
Earlier, while delivering his Fourteen Points for peace on January 8, 1918 in the U.S. Congress, which the Great Powers later ratified, Wilson also commented:
"Romania, Serbia and Montenegro must be restored. Relations between the Balkan states must be settled in a friendly way, along paths which have been historically decreed to them. To these different states will be given international guarantees, which will secure political and economical independence, as also the whole integrity of their territory."[2]
Once the Christmas Rebellion started, Western newspapers also reported of the brutal crackdown by Serb forces.
The Communist Party of Yugoslavia opposed the Yugoslav monarchy and its unification/annexation policy, and supported Montenegrin independence due to its tradition of statehood and what was seen as the undemocratic imposition of Serbian rule over Montenegro. Simmering discontent in Montenegro was akin to the rising dissatisfaction in Croatia and Slovenia with the autocratic rule from Belgrade. This caused the Communist Party to gain in popularity, despite the fact that the joint states of the mediaeval Serbs predated Montenegro's early statehood by some time.
When the second Yugoslavia was formed in 1945, the Communists who led the Partisans during the war entered the new régime. They recognized, sanctioned and fostered a national identity of Montenegrins as a people distinct from the Serbs and other southern Slavs. The number of people who were registered as Montenegrins in Montenegro was at 90% in 1948, but it has been dropping since, to 62% in 1991, and to 40% in 2003. For a detailed overview of these trends, see Demographic history of Montenegro.
Initially, after the fall of Communism, in the early 1990s, the idea of distinct Montenegrin identity has been taken over by independence-minded Montenegrins gathered around the fringe Liberal Alliance of Montenegro (LSCG) political party. However, it received very little support as it was opposed or ignored by the bulk of politicians across the political spectrum of Montenegro. The ruling Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) (reformed communists), led by prime minister Milo Đukanović and president Momir Bulatović, was firmly allied with Slobodan Milošević throughout this period.
It was not until late 1996 that occasional dissonant voices appeared, for the first time, from within DPS (including Đukanović himself in an interview with Vreme magazine). However, nothing changed in the party's official position. They started criticizing Milošević's politics as authoritarian. The tensions between two wings of DPS, led by pro-Milošević Momir Bulatović and Milo Đukanović started to rise. Finally, in mid-1997, a full blown rift occurred within DPS. In a presidential election marred with allegations of irregularities (no independent European monitors were present), Đukanović defeated the incumbent Bulatović, to become the new president of the Republic. Bulatović, in turn, left the DPS and formed a new Socialist People's Party of Montenegro (SNP). This marked a shift in the official Montenegrin policy. Đukanović started opposing Milošević on a variety of issues though still espousing the notion of Montenegro firmly within a Federation with Serbia. However, the DPS gradually started to draw ideas of independence from the LSCG and SDP. Their pro-unionist opponents claimed that their motives were to distract the public focus from economic and corruption problems by focusing attention instead on issues of ethnic and national identity. At the same time, Milošević remained a figure of inspiration for many opposition parties in Montenegro that continued as a strong political force. Montenegro has been polarized over this issue ever since.
In the fall of 1999, shortly after the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia, the Đukanović-led Montenegrin leadership came out with a platform for the re-definition of relations within the federation that called for more Montenegrin involvement in the areas of defence and foreign policy, though the platorm fell short of pushing for independence. After Milošević's overthrow on October 5, 2000, Đukanović for the first time came out in support of full independence and succeeded in his quest by holding a triumphant vote on independence on 22 May 2006.Present situation | Montenegrins in Montenegro according to the 1991 census |
| Montenegrins in Montenegro according to the 2003 census |
The population of Montenegro is presently roughly divided on ethnic and political issues between the group composed of the Montenegrins by nationality, ethnic Bosniaks and Albanians on one side, and the group composed of the Montenegro Serbs on the other. The former group forms a slim majority over the latter and has repeatedly won national elections.
The Bosniak and Albanian minorities recognize the existence of a separate Montenegrin nationality likely due to their own efforts of self-determination, their experience with the autocratic policies of Belgrade, and because their links to the Orthodox Serbs are weak.
Various notable people in Montenegro support Montenegrin independence and by extension claim that they don't consider Montenegrins to be Serbs. Noted supporters include Montenegro's President Filip Vujanović, Prime Minister Milo Đukanović, the Speaker of Montenegro's Parliament Ranko Krivokapić. Of the minorities, these include the historical scientist Šerbo Rastoder (a Bosniak from Berane), don Branko Sbutega (a Roman Catholic priest from Kotor, declared as a Croat, who died April 27 2006), and journalist Esad Kočan (a Bosniak).
A number of Montenegrins live outside of Montenegro, primarily in Serbia, and still maintain Montenegrin lore, family ties and clan affiliation. They remain nominally Montenegrins by these standards, yet at censa they declare themselves mostly as Serbs. Some have risen to high cultural, economic and political positions and are widely known as Serbs while few know that they are Montenegrins; for example, even Slobodan Milošević is a Montenegrin Serb, the first generation of his family to be born in Serbia. Meanwhile, his brother, the former ambassador to Russia Borislav Milošević, declares himself a Montenegrin.
Other prominent Montenegrin Serbs include linguist and major reformer of modern Serbian language Vuk Karadžić, the wartime leader of the Bosnian Serbs Radovan Karadžić,[BBC: Profile: Radovan Karadzic] current President of Serbia Boris Tadić,[Kurir, June 30 2004: Veselin konjevic: O'kle je Boris] assassinated warlord Željko Ražnatović-Arkan,[IWPR: Milka Tadic: Arkanova Crnogorska Veza] famous poet and writer Matija Bećković, editor-in-chief of high circulation Večernje novosti daily Manojlo Vukotić, former basketball star Žarko Paspalj, current BIA chief Rade Bulatović, Serbian Interior Minister Dragan Jocic[3], Serbian constitutional court president Slobodan Vucetic[4], and actress Milla Jovovich.[Glas Javnosti, July 17 2000: Koreni iz lepih Vasojevića (an interview with Milla's father)]Montenegrins speak the Ijekavian variant of Shtokavian dialect. Neo-shtokavian Eastern-Herzegovinian sub-dialect is spoken in the West, and old shtokavian Zeta subdialect is spoken in northeastern Montenegro, and eastern Sanjak. Zeta dialect also features sounds : , and . Both subdialects are charactericized by specific accent and several "hyper-ijekavisms" (nijesam, sjutra where the rest of shtokavian area uses nisam, sutra) and "hyper-iotations" (đevojka for djevojka, đeca for djeca etc) (these features, especially the hyper-iotation, are more prominent in Zeta subdialect).
On sociolinguistic level, the language has been classified as a dialect of Serbian (and, consequently, Serbo-Croatian) for a long time. Montenegrin constitution still defines Serbian as the official language. However, along with the campaign for independence, a movement for recognition of Montenegrin language as separate from Serbian has emerged, finding the basis for separate language identity mostly in above-mentioned dialectal specifics. The current pro-independence government did not particularly embrace the movement, but did not opposed it either; trying to overcome the situation, the language school classes were renamed from "Serbian language" to "mother language", with fierce opposition from pro-Serbian circles. In the 2003 census, 21.53% of Montenegrin citizens stated that they speak Montenegrin language.Montenegrins' long-standing history of fighting for independence is invariably linked with strong traditions of folk epic poetry. One of prominent features of Montenegrin culture are gusle, one-string instrument played by the story-teller, who sings or recites the stories of heroes and battles in decasyllabic verse. These traditions are stronger in the northern parts of the country, (and also shared with people in eastern Herzegovina, western Serbia and central Dalmatia).
On the substratum of folk epic poetry, poets like Petar II Petrović Njegoš, the Montenegrin icon, and Marko Miljanov have created their own expression. Njegoš's epic book Gorski Vijenac (The Mountain Wreath) presents the central point of Montenegrin culture.
On the other hand, the Adriatic cities like Herceg-Novi, Kotor and Budva had strong trade and maritime tradition, and presented an entry-point for Venetian, Ragusan and other Catholic influences. Possession of those cities often changed, but their population was basically a mixture of Orthodox and Catholic religions and traditions. These cities were incorporated into Montenegro only after the fall of Austria-Hungary. In those cities, stronger influences of medieval and renaissance architecture, painting, and lyric poetry can be found.Traditionally, most Montenegrins belong to the Serbian Orthodox Church (SOC), whose presence on the territory dates from early medieval times. However, the Roman Catholic Church had a stronger influence in the Adriatic cities in the past, especially in the area of the Bay of Kotor, known as the Boka. The two communities maintained religious tolerance and a good relationship. With the decline of Venetian Republic and the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, and incorporation of those cities into the modern Montenegrin state, the number of Catholics steadily declined. Today, the remaining Catholics in Montenegro idenitify as Croats, Bokelji, or Montenegrins in the ethnic sense.
As with ethnic affiliation and the name of the language, the split among Montenegrins is also present in the cchoice of religion (albeit to a far lesser extent). In 1997, the Montenegrin Orthodox Church was formed (the first unsuccessful attempt was recorded in 1894), and declared independence from the Serbian Orthodox Church. The church is not recognized by other Orthodox churches, and its founders were condemned by the SOC Holy Synod. The exact number of followers of the MOC is not known exactly (and is, naturally, contested by the two sides), as the 2003 census only recorded whether someone was Eastern Orthodox, but not which church they belonged to. However, it is safe to say that the overwhelming majority of Eastern Orthodox Montenegrins belong to the Serb Orthodox Church.Montenegrins are the tallest people in Europe with a male average peaking above 1.90m in the northern towns. This is an unusual feature for most peoples of the former Eastern Europe and even today, it causes surprise for most tourists visiting Montenegro .* Montenegro
* History of Montenegro
* Demographic history of Montenegro
* Bokelji
* Serbs
* Red Croats* Njegos.org Culture and History of Montenegro
* The Montenegrin Association of America: Links to Geography, History, Religion, Literature, language, Culture, Music, Politics, etc...
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