One thing people seem to get stuck in is borders and cultural groups. In the case of the Bosnian cultural self identity started to branch out under ottoman rule. Just because a nation did not exist does not mean that a cultural identity wasn’t there.
The concept of National identity is new in terms of human history. The common peoples self identity was smaller.
I’m rather fascinated with the development in the Balkan area. The way national self identities are forming and shifting. The fall of the Ottoman Empire, ww1, ww2, Formation of Yugoslavia and in relation to the break up Yugoslavia.
One interesting thing is that as Ottoman Empire played a key part Bosnian self identity they don’t demonize them compared to the other groups that were Vassals and or occupied by the Ottomans.
Branching out and converging of cultures happens all the time. Today we see a branching of Italy happening from the north and south and other countries like Belgium. All it takes is a group of people to convince the people that they are better and make the other group bad.
That’s what happened in Yugoslavia. Small groups of intellectuals started a new self identity that cascaded and spread.
The wars have built larger walls and added new layers of self identities to the groups.
Even on this thread, the forum in general, you se examples of reinforcement of self identity by demonizing the others.
simply you are out side balkans, and you are far from Balkan History,
As an example, you your own said that Bosnian is a new tradition and culture that became a nation,
what did I say?
I said that ex one language bigger wide nation broke to 3,
is that wrong? where am I wrong?
simply at times of ottoman empire, local people change religion and converted to islam,
that slowly created a new culture,
whatwrong did I say?
nationality bosnians are south slavs, in fact for me, as also genetic proves they are same with serbs, once almost a nation, but religion divide them to 2
where the wrong in what i said so to to answer me me like that,
in balkans who have the phenomenon that politician are paid by foreigners to divide more,
As an example Fyrom, a culture?
of whom? turks? bulgarins? serbs? greeks? that became a state, and demands history and lands of other nations,
in 100 years many new nations due to religion, language, economy, or political issues,
a different culture that is new imported does not make another nation, but divides one,
as an example we call them all germans,
but Bayern, with north east Germany what common?
different culture, yet we say that are 1 nation although genetically are tottaly different,
so becarefull when you read and when you mention with word nation,
a political movement does not make a nation, as also a small culture difference,
there many nations divided either by politicians either by religion,
and slowly the are pushing that division by imput new customs and words etc,
SO PLZ DON'T PLAY THE GAME OF A POLITICIAN,
part of fyrom part of kossyfo , almsot serbia (not the north) and most of bosnia is the same Nation, simply divided by religion, politics economy, and rulers ambitions,
as most of kossyfo with north albania is almost same nation,
besides Pontic Greeks lived west of kaukasus,
cretans live in Crete,
But linguistic and genetical similarity proves that are a nation although different culture, due to Venice occupation the last and ottoman the 1rst.
a nation has not to do with politics
in fact Bosna is a true yugo-slav (south slav) country, with only difference the religion,
and since islam is new to balkan comparing christianity, we use the older terms to compare a nation,
that is why we are comparing with serbs and say they are same nation, and we don't say serbs are bosnians,
hope i make my self clear and understood.