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Serbs of Montenegro

Serbs of Montenegro(Serbian:Срби у Црној Гори/Srbi u Crnoj Gori) orMontenegrin Serbs(Serbian:Црногорcки Cрби/Crnogorski Srbi),[b]compose native and thesecond largest ethnic groupinMontenegro(32.93% of country's population),[4]after theethnic Montenegrins.Additional 0.47% of the population is made up of people defining themselves asSerbs-Montenegrins(Срби-Црногорци/Srbi-Crnogorci) andMontenegrins-Serbs(Црногорци-Cрби/Crnogorci-Srbi).

Serbs of Montenegro
Срби у Црној Гори
Srbi u Crnoj Gori
SerbiaMontenegro

Flags of the Serb community in Montenegro
Total population
Serbs in Montenegro:205,370(2023 census)[1]
Serbs-Montenegrins:1,701(2023 census)[1]
Montenegrins-Serbs:1,268(2023 census)[1]
Languages
Serbian
Religion
Majority:
Eastern Orthodoxy

Related ethnic groups
OtherSouth Slavs,Serbs,especiallyMontenegrins[a]

History

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Main articles:History of the SerbsandHistory of Montenegro

During theSlavic migrationsof the 6th and 7th centuries, most of the territory of modern-dayMontenegrowas settled bySerbs(which are the ancestors of modernMontenegrins) who they created severalSerbprincipalities in the region;[5]In southern parts of modern Montenegro,Principality of Dukljawas formed, while western parts belonged to thePrincipality of Travunija.Northern parts of modern Montenegro belonged to the innerPrincipality of Serbia.All of those early polities were described in historiographical works of Byzantine EmperorConstantine VII Porphyrogenetos(944–959).[6]

In 1018, all of Serbian principalities came under the supreme rule of theByzantine Empire.[7]TheSerbregions ofDukljaandTravunijabroke away from Byzantine rule c. 1034–1042, under princeStefan Vojislav,founder of theVojislavljević dynasty.His sonMihailo I Vojislavljević(d. 1081) liberatedZahumljeandinner Serbia,creating a united Serbian polity and taking the title of king (c. 1077).[8]The reign of his son, KingConstantine Bodin(d. 1100), was followed by a period of regional fragmentation, lasting throughout much of the 12th century.[7]

After 1180, all of what is today Montenegro came under the rule of Grand PrinceStefan Nemanja,the founder of theNemanjić dynasty.The region ofZeta,formerly known as Duklja, became acrown landof the united Serbian state.[9]It was given toVukan Nemanjić(d. 1208), the oldest son of Stefan Nemanja, and later to crown princeStefan Radoslav,son of KingStefan Nemanjić,who succeeded his father as Serbian King in 1228. Thus it became a custom to grant the region to the heir of the throne or some other member of the royal family. In 1219, two dioceses of theSerbian Orthodox Churchwere created on the territory of modern-day Montenegro,Eparchy of Zetacentered in theMonastery of Holy Archangel Michael on Prevlaka,andEparchy of Budimljacentered in theMonastery of Đurđevi Stupovi.Several other monasteries also date to this period, such as:Morača,Praskvica,Vranjina,and others.[10]Serbian Despotateis the last independent medieval Serb state and it included most of modern-day Montenegro.

Saint Sava,born inDuklja,was aSerbianprince and the firstArchbishopof theautocephalousSerbian Church

Montenegro saw independence under thePetrović-Njegoš dynasty,at first as a principality and then as a kingdom. Both the Kingdom of Serbia and the Kingdom of Montenegro fought together as independent states in theBalkan Warsand in the First World War. At the end of the war in 1918 tensions arose between the two states as the Montenegrin Whites with Serbian support deposedNicholas I of Montenegroand proclaimed Montenegro's unification with Serbia as part ofKingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes(renamed intoKingdom of Yugoslaviain 1929), while theMontenegrin Greensopposed it. The conflict led to theChristmas Uprising,in which the Whites with support from the Serbian army defeated the Greens.[11]During the period of the monarchic Yugoslavia, ruled by the SerbianKarađorđević dynasty,the tensions between Serbs and Croats were increasing and most of the Montenegrin politicians supported the Serbian proposed centralised state.[citation needed]

Serbian Kingdomfrom 1217 to 1346, led by theNemanjić dynasty

During the Second World War both Serbs and Montenegrins were very active in both resistance movements, theYugoslav Partisansand theYugoslav Army in the Fatherlandknown as theChetniks.At the end of the war thesocialist Yugoslaviawas created and the two became republics within the Yugoslav federation.

Yugoslav PartisanMilovan Đilasdescribed himself as a Montenegrin Serb and described Montenegro as the spiritual homeland of Serbs, saying "I am not a Montenegrin because I am a Serb, but a Serb because I am a Montenegrin. We Montenegrins are the salt of the Serbs. All the strength of the Serbs is not here [in Montenegro] but their soul is."[12]Đilas also has said "The Montenegrins are, despite provincial and historical differences, quintessentially Serbs, and Montenegro the cradle of Serbian myths and of aspirations for the unification of Serbs.".[12]

After the separation of Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Macedonia in 1991 and 1992,SR Montenegroheld theMontenegrin referendum in 1992which ended with a 95.96% of votes in favour for a state union withSerbiaand with the changing of the socialist political system towards a multi-party one. The country was renamedFederal Republic of Yugoslavia.In this period between 1990 and 1998 Montenegro was ruled byMomir Bulatovićwho had close relations with the Serbian presidentSlobodan Miloševićand who was very supportive to keep close ties between the two republics within the state union. Montenegro was also included by the economic sanctions imposed on Serbia during the 1990s. During the1999 NATO bombing of Yugoslaviaboth Serbia and Montenegro suffered the attacks of the NATO forces and several targets inside Montenegro were also bombarded. All this contributed to the rise in power in Montenegro ofMilo Đukanovićwho was known to be much less sympathetic towards the Serbo-Montenegrin ties and would become an open supporter of the independence of Montenegro. In 2003, three years after the fall of Milošević in 2000, and after insisting on international diplomacy, the former Yugoslavia became known as thestate unionofSerbia and Montenegro.The process of becoming a single state union ironically lead to the separation of the two states - a change which was officiated by thereferendum on Montenegrin independenceon 21 May 2006. A total of 419,240 votes were cast, representing 86.5% of the total electorate. Of them, 230,661 votes or 55.5% were in favour of independence and 185,002 votes or 44.5% were against.[13]

Nemanjić dynasty Serbia in the late 13th century and contemporary borders of Montenegro. 1. King Milutin's Serbia; 2. King Dragutin's Serbia; 3. Contemporary Montenegro;
Serbian Orthodox monasteries
Left:Ostrog,Right:Reževići Monastery

Since independence, the Montenegrin society has been divided among many issues. The independence supporters are advocating for the creation of a separateMontenegrin language,regarded before as a dialect of theSerbian language,including the creation of a new Montenegrin Cyrillic alphabet which shares the same letters with the Serbian Cyrillic alphabet except for the addition of two new letters. The Serb population of Montenegro is opposed to the idea of a linguistic separation, just as they are opposed to the separation of theMontenegrin Orthodox Churchfrom the jurisdiction of theSerbian Orthodox Church.The Montenegrin language eventually gained international recognition and was assigned theISO 639-2and-3code[cnr]in December 2017.[14]However, the Montenegrin Orthodox Church is canonically unrecognized as of 2025.

In 2006, theNGOSerbian People's Council of Montenegrowas created, headed byMomčilo Vuksanović,and in 2008 an official representative electoral body of Serbs in Montenegro was formed as theSerbian National Council of Montenegro,with Momčilo Vuksanović as president.[15]

The links between the two nations remain strong, and the fact that for the last two centuries a great number of Montenegrins had emigrated to Serbia further strengthens the ties. The Montenegrin littoral is still the main tourist destination for citizens of Serbia, and a large population of Serbians own property in Montenegro. Many of these properties consist of summer homes, and contribute to a seasonal influx of Serbs in Montenegro, during the summers. Despite the geopolitical separation, the economic balance and relationship shared between the two countries continues to be strong.[citation needed]

Culture

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Language

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Further information:Languages of Montenegro
Miroslav Gospelcreated by order ofMiroslav of Hum,Montenegrin Serb ruler.

The national language of Montenegro has historically and traditionally been called Serbian.[16]According toPavle Ivić,two sub-dialects of theShtokavian dialect(of theSerbian language) were spoken in Montenegro: theEastern Herzegovinian dialectandZeta-South Sanjak dialect.The Eastern Herzegovinian dialect is spoken in Montenegro, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia. Today, the national standard is based on the Zeta-South Sanjak dialect.

Some 42.9% of the population of the country speak Serbian as their mother tongue, including 37% of the declared Montenegrins. Serbian was the official language of Montenegro until 2007 when the newConstitution of Montenegroreplaced the Constitution of 1992. Amid opposition from pro-Serbian parties,[17]

Montenegrin languagewas made the sole official language of the country and Serbian was given the status of a recognised minority language along withBosnian,Albanian,andCroatian.[18]Since 2006, both in linguistic and other aspects of cultural life, ethnic Serbs of Montenegro have been exposed to gradual "non-coercive" "Montenegrinisation".[19]

Religion

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Main article:Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro
Left:Serbian orthodox church inKotor
Right:Cetinje Monastery,Serbian Orthodox monastery

The Serbs are adherents of theSerbian Orthodox Church,the strongest religious institution of Montenegro (with a total of 460,383 followers or 74%).[20]One of the largest places of worship is theCathedral of the Resurrection of ChristinPodgorica.

The future of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro has been threatened by the newly formedMontenegrin Orthodox Churchwhich has claimed Serbian Orthodox churches in Montenegro, and is backed by a small percentage of the Orthodox Christians in Montenegro. The government has recognized the church, however none of the Eastern Orthodox churches have. The leader is the controversialMiraš Dedeić,a former Serbian Orthodox clergyman with Serbian nationalist views who, after being suspended from the Serbian Church, went to Rome and became a Greek Orthodox clergyman.[21]

Folk attire

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Main article:Serbian traditional clothing
Left:AMontenegrin capwith theSerbian cross
Right:Dušankavest

TheMontenegrin capis a traditional cap worn by Montenegrins and Montenegrin Serbs, originally in the shape of a flatcylinder,having a red upper surface (calledtepeluk) not dissimilar to theHerzegovinaandLika caps.It was wholly red until Prince-BishopPetar II Petrović Njegošsurrounded it with ablackrim (calledderevija),[22]and the definition given was as a sign of grief of occupiedKosovo.TheKosovo Mythwas very popular in thePrince-Bishopric of Montenegro.The enforcement of the cap upon the Montenegrin chieftains by Peter II was a mark of expression of then's dominating Serbian national identity.[23]The national telling recorded the most often version of the cap as following: the black wrapper was a sign of grief for theonce big Empire,the red the bloody defeat at theBattle of Kosovo[24]and the five small stripes on the top represent the remaining remains of the once greater Serbian realm,[25]which became increasingly popular amongst the common folk during the reign of PrinceDanilo I Petrović-Njegoš.Within the stripes is angled a six star, representing the last free part, Montenegro, shining upon the fallen and conquered.[26]Worn by the rulers and chieftains, the version with theFour Ocil symbolin the star's place had become across the years with growth of nationalism excessively popular amongst the ordinary people, the symbol of theSerbian Orthodox Church,which effectively worked on maintaining and raising the national identity.

Demographics

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Main articles:Demographics of Montenegro,Demographic history of Montenegro,andControversy over linguistic and ethnic identity in Montenegro
Ethnicity map of Montenegro, Serbs in blue
Linguistic map of Montenegro, Serbian in blue

According to the 2023 census, Serbs are the second largest ethnic group and constitute 32.93% of the population of Montenegro. They are absolute majority in five and relative majority in another four municipalities, and constitute less than 20% of population in only seven out of total 25 municipalities in the country. The percentage of Serbs inmunicipalities of Montenegrois as follows:

Notable people

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Main article:List of Serbs of Montenegro

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^See:Controversy over ethnic and linguistic identity in Montenegro
  2. ^The correct political terms areSerbian:црногорcки Cрби/crnogorski Srbi,meaning "Montenegrin Serbs",andCрби Црногорци/Srbi Crnogorcimeaning "Serbs Montenegrins".Specifically, Their regional autonym is simplyЦрногорци/Crnogorci,literal meaning "Montenegrins",[2][3]the same as the ethnic group ofMontenegrins). In the early modern times, before theKingdom of Montenegro,people [living within present-day borders] were divided by the identities ofBrđani(Брђани;Brda),Hercegovci(Херцеговци;Old Herzegovina),Bokelji(Бокељи;Boka Kotorska) andCrnogorci(Црногорци;Old Montenegro).Срби у Црној Гори/Srbi u Crnoj Gori,meaning "Serbs in Montenegro".

References

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  1. ^abc"Census of Population, Households and Dwellings in Montenegro 2023"(PDF).Monstat.Retrieved15 October2024.
  2. ^Charles Seignobos, Political History of Europe, since 1814, ed. S. M. Macvane, H. Holt and Company, New York, 1900, pp. 663–664; excerpt from chapter XXI The Christian Nations of The Balkans, subchapter Servia and Montenegro, passages Montenegro
  3. ^"Projekat Rastko Cetinje – Slavenko Terzic – Ideoloski korijeni crnogorske nacije i crnogorskog separatizma".Rastko.rs.Retrieved5 November2011.
  4. ^[1](in Serbian)
  5. ^Ćirković 2004,p. 11-12.
  6. ^Moravcsik 1967.
  7. ^abFine 1991.
  8. ^Ćirković 2004,p. 26-27.
  9. ^David Luscombe; Jonathan Riley-Smith (14 October 2004).The New Cambridge Medieval History: Volume 4, C.1024-c.1198.Cambridge University Press. pp.266–270.ISBN978-0-521-41411-1.
  10. ^Ćirković 2004.
  11. ^Banac 1992,p. 285.
  12. ^abElizabeth Roberts. Realm of the Black Mountain: A History of Montenegro. London, England, UK: Cornell University Press, 2007. Pp. 1.
  13. ^"Montenegro vote result confirmed".BBC News. 23 May 2006.Retrieved5 November2011.
  14. ^"Montenegrin language ISO code [cnr] assigned • SENAT.me - MeP".11 December 2017.
  15. ^NARS (2010): Fourteenth Sitting of the Committee on Relations with Serbs Living Outside Serbia
  16. ^cf.Roland Sussex,Paul Cubberly,The Slavic Languages,Cambridge University Press, Cambridge 2006; esp. v. pp. 73: "Serbia had used Serbian as an official language since 1814, and Montenegro even earlier.".
  17. ^"Pro-Serbian parties oppose Montenegro constitution".Setimes.com. 26 October 2007.Retrieved5 November2011.
  18. ^"Ustav Crne Gore".Snp.co.me.Retrieved5 November2011.
  19. ^Financial Times (2007): Neil MacDonald, Montenegro's ethnicity debate intensifies
  20. ^see:Religion in Montenegro
  21. ^Kostic, Stevan."Rat i Miraš, ko je i šta priča prvi čovek nepriznate CPC"[War and Mirash, who is and what is the story of the first man of the unrecognized CPC].Radio Television of Serbia(in Bosnian).Retrieved2021-04-14– via www.rts.rs.
  22. ^"Crna Gora i Crnogorci" by Vuk Stefanović Karadžić
  23. ^"O najstarijoj kapi kod Jugoslovena..." by Miodrag Vlahović
  24. ^Crna Gora... Narodni život i običaji "by Andrija Jovićević
  25. ^"Crnogorska muška kapa" by Zorica Radulović
  26. ^"Fizicki lik i izgled Njegosa" by Jovan Vukmanović

Sources

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Primary sources
Secondary sources
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