Geoadria, Vol. 9 No. 1, 2004.
Preliminary communication
https://doi.org/10.15291/geoadria.131
Janjevo and Janjevci - from Kosovo to Zagreb
Željka Šiljković
Martin Glamuzina
Abstract
Janjevci, one of the oldest ethnic groups of Croats, have lived in Kosovo for seven centuries, outside their mother country, among the majority of Serbs and Albanians. However, geographical isolation of their settlements, uninterrupted connections with their mother country (The Republic of Dubrovnik), and strong influence of the Roman Catholic Church have prevented their assimilation into a wider community. Crafts and trade were the principal occupations of Janjevo population, which have survived even after their emigration from Kosovo. The most important destination of emigrants from Kosovo was Croatia, especially its capital Zagreb. Since 1970s, East Zagreb with its small family houses has become their main colony, where they have been building houses, opening stores and workshops. Their accommodation to the new environment did not go very smoothly; in fact it was very troublesome, since patriarchal and traditional family relationships have survived up to the present day. The woman is still considered as a housewife and a mother, and woman's education is poorer than the man's education. However, new generations try to integrate into this new environment, but the result is the loss of their old speech, customs and their own culture, due to intensive assimilation process. In this way, they also lose a part of their own identity.
Keywords
Janjevci; Kosovo; traditionalism; patriarchal qualities; emigration; Zagreb
Hrčak ID:
9640
URI
Publication date:
1.6.2004.
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