Bosniaks facts for kids

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Bosniaks
Bošnjaci
Flag of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, today it is used as an ethnic flag.
Total population
c. 2.5 million
Regions with significant populations
Bosnia and Herzegovina 1,769,592
Significant Bosniak diaspora in:
Turkey	c. 115,000, by ancestry c. 2,000,000
United States	c. 100,000
Serbia	153,801
Montenegro	53,605
Canada	c. 50,000
Kosovo	27,533
Croatia	24,131
Slovenia	21,542
Denmark	21,000
North Macedonia	17,018
Australia	14,620
Languages
Bosnian
Religion
Predominantly Sunni Islam
Related ethnic groups
Other South Slavs, especially Bosnian Serbs, Bosnian Croats

The Bosniaks are a South Slavic group of people who originally come from the region of Bosnia. This area is now part of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Bosniaks share a common history, culture, and the Bosnian language. Most Bosniaks live in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but many also live in other countries like Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia, and Turkey. They also have large communities in Europe, North and South America, and Australia.

Bosniaks are known for their strong connection to the Bosnian region. Most of them follow Islam, a religion they have practiced since the 1400s and 1500s. People who speak English sometimes call Bosniaks "Bosnian Muslims" or just "Bosnians". However, "Bosnian" can also mean anyone who lives in Bosnia and Herzegovina, no matter their background.

What Does "Bosniak" Mean?

The word "Bosniak" has been used for a long time. The first time it was seen in English was in 1680. It comes from the word "Bosna," which is the name of a river and the region. The ending "-ak" is common in Slavic languages to describe a person from a place, like "Polak" for a person from Poland. So, "Bosniak" simply means "a person from Bosnia."

For Bosniaks, their identity is deeply connected to Bosnia and Herzegovina. They see themselves as part of the country's history and culture. The oldest known name for people from Bosnia was "Bošnjanin" in the Middle Ages. By the 1400s, this changed to "Bošnjak." This name was used to describe the people living in the medieval Bosnian kingdom.

Historians believe the name "Bosnia" comes from the Bosna river. This river's name might be very old, even from Roman times. Some theories suggest it means "running water."

During the time of the Ottoman Empire, the word "Bosniak" was used for everyone living in Bosnia, regardless of their religion. It was more about where you lived than your national identity. However, by the 1800s, people in Bosnia started to identify more with their religious groups. Christian Bosnians began to see themselves as Serbs or Croats, while Muslims in Bosnia started to form their own national identity.

Where Do Bosniaks Come From?

The first people to settle in Bosnia and Herzegovina were the Early Slavs. They arrived from northeastern Europe around the 500s and 600s. These groups were part of a larger Slavic confederation.

Some historians believe that many people who lived in the Balkans before the Slavs arrived stayed there. They mixed with the new Slavic groups, creating new communities.

The first mention of Bosnia as a distinct area was around the 900s. It was described as a "small land" within the Byzantine Empire. Over time, Bosnia became an independent area with its own ruler, Ban Kulin, who called himself Bosnian.

In the 1300s, Bosnia grew into a powerful kingdom. Its people called themselves Bosnians. After the Ottoman Empire took over Bosnia in the mid-1400s, many people living there converted from Christianity to Islam. By the early 1600s, about two-thirds of Bosnians were Muslim. Some people from outside Bosnia also moved there and became part of the Bosniak community.

Genetic Background

Studies of DNA show that Bosniaks are genetically similar to other South Slavs in the region. They also share connections with people from Eastern and Central Europe. This suggests that the Slavic people who settled in the Balkans spread quickly across a large area.

These studies show that Bosniaks, along with Croatians and Slovenians, form a western South Slavic group. This group is closer to Hungarians, Czechs, and Slovaks. This means that Bosniaks share a common ancestry with many other European groups.

What Does It Mean to Be Bosniak?

Bosniaks are generally seen as a South Slavic nation. They identify with Bosnia and Herzegovina as their homeland. Most Bosniaks are Muslim by religion.

However, what it means to be Bosniak can be different for different people. Some focus on their Islamic heritage. Others emphasize that being Bosniak is about their national identity and connection to Bosnian land and history, not just religion.

For a long time, especially during the time of Yugoslavia, there was no official recognition of a special Bosnian Muslim ethnic group. People had to choose other options in censuses, like "ethnically undecided Muslim." In 1968, the constitution was changed to recognize a "Muslim" national group. But many people felt this label focused too much on religion instead of their ethnic identity.

During the Bosnian War in the 1990s, Bosnian Muslim leaders decided to officially adopt the name "Bosniak." This was a way to reclaim their historical name and connect their identity more strongly to Bosnia and Herzegovina. It helped them show the world that they were a distinct nation.

A Look at History

Medieval Bosnia

In the 500s, Slavic groups settled in the western Balkans, including Bosnia. Early records from the 900s mention Bosnia as a "small land" within the Byzantine Empire. Over time, Bosnia became more independent.

By the 1100s, Bosnia was ruled by its own leaders, called Bans. One famous ruler was Ban Kulin. His time as ruler (1180–1204) was important for Bosnia's independence. During this period, a unique religious group called the Bosnian Church became strong in Bosnia. This church was different from both Catholic and Orthodox churches.

In the 1300s, Bosnia grew into a powerful kingdom under King Tvrtko I of Bosnia. He expanded the Bosnian state. However, even with a kingdom, a single Bosnian identity was still developing. People often identified more with their local areas or religious groups.

Ottoman Rule and Islam

The Ottoman Empire conquered Bosnia in the mid-1400s. This brought a new religion, Islam, to the region. Many Bosnians converted to Islam. By the early 1600s, about two-thirds of the people in Bosnia were Muslim.

Historians believe that this conversion was mostly peaceful and voluntary. People converted for various reasons, including to escape taxes on non-Muslims or to gain advantages in the Ottoman system. Many Bosnians became important officials, soldiers, and scholars in the Ottoman Empire. This included famous figures like Sokollu Mehmed Pasha, who was a Grand Vizier (like a prime minister) for three sultans.

The Ottomans also built many beautiful buildings, mosques, and bridges in Bosnia, like the Stari Most bridge in Mostar. Bosnia was seen as a "bastion of Islam" and its people were important frontier guards for the empire.

Austro-Hungarian Empire

In 1878, Austria-Hungary took control of Bosnia and Herzegovina from the Ottomans. During this time, the idea of a "Bosniak nation" was promoted by the Austrian government. They wanted to create a single Bosnian identity that included Christians and Muslims. However, this idea was mostly adopted by Bosnian Muslims.

Bosnian Muslims also formed cultural groups like Gajret and Preporod to preserve their identity. They published magazines like Bošnjak to promote "Bosniakism" and connect with European culture while keeping their Islamic traditions.

Yugoslavia and World War II

After World War I, Bosnia and Herzegovina became part of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. At first, Bosnian Muslims were not recognized as a separate ethnic group. They were often categorized as "Muslims" by religion, not by nationality.

During World War II, Bosnia and Herzegovina was a place of conflict. Some Bosnian Muslims joined the Yugoslav Partisan forces, which fought against the Nazi occupation. Others were involved with different groups. Sadly, many Bosniaks died during the war.

After World War II, Bosnia and Herzegovina became part of socialist Yugoslavia. In 1961, Bosnian Muslims were recognized as an ethnic group, and in 1971, they were fully recognized as a nationality, called "Muslims by nationality."

The Bosnian War

The Bosnian War (1992-1995) was a very difficult time for Bosniaks. They faced ethnic cleansing and genocide. Many Bosniaks were forced to leave their homes. The war caused huge changes in where people lived in Bosnia.

Before the war, Bosniaks lived all over Bosnia. After the war, most Bosniaks were concentrated in areas that were controlled by the Bosnian government. Today, Bosniaks are the main group in Sarajevo and its surrounding area, parts of northwestern Bosnia, central Bosnia, and other regions.

During the war, Bosnian Serb forces attacked Bosniak civilians. Homes were destroyed, and people were rounded up, beaten, or killed. The city of Sarajevo was under a long siege, where civilians suffered greatly. The Srebrenica massacre in July 1995 was a terrible event where thousands of Bosniak men and boys were killed.

Language

Most Bosniaks speak the Bosnian language. It is a South Slavic language, very similar to Croatian and Serbian. All three languages are based on the same dialect and are easy for speakers to understand each other. Sometimes, people call them "Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian" to show how similar they are.

Bosnian language has many words borrowed from Ottoman Turkish, Arabic, and Persian. These words are called "Orientalisms."

The first official dictionary for the Bosnian language was published in 1992. In the past, Bosnian was written using different alphabets, including a special Cyrillic script called Bosančica. Later, a Bosnian version of the Perso-Arabic script, called Arebica, was used, especially by educated people. Today, the Bosnian language mainly uses the Latin alphabet.

Culture

Old Stories and Traditions

Bosniak culture has many old stories and traditions. Some of these come from ancient pagan beliefs, like using mountain tops for worship or names of old gods appearing in stories. Slavic traditions, such as dragons and fairies (called Vila), are also common. Fairies are often mentioned in Bosniak poems and folk songs.

One interesting tradition is "Aliđun," which is a celebration related to the cult of sun and rain, similar to the Christian holiday of Elijah the Thunderer. Another unique tradition is the "Rain Prayer" at Djevojačka pećina (Maiden's Cave) near Kladanj, where Bosnian Muslims pray for rain. This place was also important for followers of the medieval Bosnian Church.

A very famous pilgrimage site for Bosnian Muslims is Ajvatovica near Prusac. It's the largest Islamic event in Europe. People gather there to remember Ajvaz-dedo, who prayed for water during a drought, and water miraculously appeared from a rock.

National heroes in Bosniak stories are often historical figures known for their bravery. Ban Kulin, the founder of medieval Bosnia, is one such legendary figure. People still see his rule as a "golden age."

Customs and Music

Bosniaks are proud of their sad, emotional folk songs called sevdalinka. These songs often tell stories of love, loss, and heartbreak. Sevdalinkas were traditionally played with a Turkish string instrument called a saz, but now they are often played with an accordion. These songs are special to Bosnia and Herzegovina and developed in Bosnian cities during Ottoman times.

Another tradition is "Muštuluk," where you owe a gift to someone who brings you good news.

Bosnian literature is known for its ballads, like Hasanaginica, which is a famous sad poem. Many important writers and poets have contributed to Bosniak culture, including Musa Ćazim Ćatić and Mak Dizdar. Old magazines like Gajret and Behar helped preserve Bosniak identity in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Religion

Most Bosniaks are Sunni Muslim. Historically, a spiritual practice called Sufism was also important among Bosnian Muslims. Bosniaks are often seen as moderate and open-minded Muslims compared to some other groups.

Religion played a big role in shaping national identities in the Balkans after the Ottoman Empire. The Ottomans often identified people by their religious groups. While religion might not be the only thing that defines people today, it's still common to think of Serbs as Orthodox, Croats as Catholic, and Bosniaks as Muslim.

Names and Symbols

Bosniak surnames sometimes show where families originally came from, with roots in Albanian, Vlach, Turkic, or Arab cultures. Some surnames might even be from pre-Slavic times.

Given names (first names) for Bosniaks often come from Arabic, Persian, or Turkish, like Osman, Mehmed, or Alija. Some Slavic names like Zlatan are also used. Many of these names have been changed slightly to fit the Bosnian language. For example, "Huso" is a shorter version of "Husein."

The main symbol of the Bosniak people is a fleur-de-lis (a stylized lily flower) coat of arms. It has six golden lilies and comes from the coat of arms of the medieval Kingdom of Bosnia. This symbol was used on the flag of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina from 1992 to 1998. Even though the national flag changed, the fleur-de-lis is still an important Bosniak symbol. It appears on flags of cities and is used by the Bosniak regiment of the Bosnian army. You can also see it in mosques and on Muslim gravestones.

Another older Bosniak flag from the Ottoman era has a white crescent moon and star on a green background. This flag was used during the Bosnian uprising against the Turks in the 1800s.

Where Bosniaks Live Around the World

Bosniak Communities Abroad

Many Bosniaks live outside Bosnia and Herzegovina, forming large communities in other countries.

Turkey: A very large community of Bosniaks lives in Turkey. Their ancestors moved there in the 1800s and early 1900s as the Ottoman Empire declined. Some estimates say that as many as 2 million Turkish citizens have Bosniak roots. They mostly live in northwestern Turkey, especially in Istanbul.
United States: The first Bosniaks came to the U.S. around the 1860s. Today, there are about 350,000 Americans with Bosnian ancestry. They helped start the first Muslim community in Chicago in 1906. There are many Bosniak cultural and religious groups in the U.S., and Bosnian-language newspapers are published, especially in St. Louis, which has a large Bosnian community.
Canada: Over 25,000 people in Canada have Bosnian ancestry. Many moved there during and after the Bosnian War. Large Bosnian communities can be found in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. There are also many Bosniak cultural groups and newspapers in Canada.

Images for kids

Genetic structure of Bosnians within European context according to three genetic systems: Autosomal DNA (A), Y-DNA (B) and mtDNA (C) per Kushniarevich et al. (2015)