Serbs 59512 225023326 2008-07-11T14:42:52Z Nexm0d 414640 /* Population */ {{pp-semi-protected|small=yes}} {{Infobox Ethnic group |group = Serbs<br/>Срби / Srbi |image = [[Image:NSrbs.JPG|300px]] |caption = [[Saint Sava]]{{·}} [[Stefan Uroš IV Dušan of Serbia|Tsar Dušan]]{{·}} [[Karađorđe]]{{·}} [[Nikola Tesla]]{{·}} [[Nadežda Petrović]] |pop = 12,500,000-13,000,000 |region1 = '''Former Yugoslavia''' |pop1 = '''8,500,000+''' |region2 = {{flag|Serbia}} |pop2 = 6,212,838 (83%) (excluding Kosovo) |ref2 = {{lower|<ref name="2002 Census">[http://webrzs.statserb.sr.gov.yu/axd/en/popis.htm Official results of 2002 Serbia census]</ref>}} |region3 = --&nbsp;[[Kosovo-Metohija]] |pop3 = 130,000 (7%) |ref3 = <ref>[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/kv.html CIA - The World Factbook - Kosovo<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> |region4 = {{flag|Bosnia and Herzegovina}} |pop4 = 1,484,530 (37%) |ref4 = <ref>(1996 UN census)</ref> |region5 = {{flag|Montenegro}} |pop5 = 201,892 (32%) |ref5 = {{lower|<ref name="CIA-MN"> [https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/mj.html#People CIA Factbook 2006 for Montenegro]</ref>}} |region6 = {{flag|Croatia}} |pop6 = 201,631 (5%) |ref6 = {{lower|<ref>[[Demographics of Croatia]]</ref>}} |region7 = {{flag|Macedonia}} |pop7 = 35,939 (2%) |ref7 = {{lower|<ref>Државен завод за статистика: [http://www.stat.gov.mk/pdf/kniga_13.pdf Попис на населението, домаќинствата и становите во Република Македонија, 2002: Дефинитивни податоци] ([[PDF]])</ref>}} |region8 = '''THE EU''' |pop8 = '''1,1-1,500,000''' |region9 = {{flag|Romania}} |pop9 = 22,518 (0,1%) |ref9 = {{lower|<ref>Agenţia Naţionala pentru Intreprinderi Mici si Mijlocii: [http://mimmc.ro/info_util/formulare_1294/ Recensamânt România 2002]</ref>}} |region10 = {{flag|Hungary}} |pop10 = 7,350 (0,1%) |ref10 = {{lower|<ref>Hungarian Central Statistical Office: [http://www.nepszamlalas.hu/eng/volumes/06/00/tabeng/1/load01_10_0.html Population by languages spoken with family members or friends, affinity with nationalities' cultural values and sex]</ref>}} |region11 = {{flag|Germany}} |pop11 = 507,328 (2004) |ref11 = <ref name="statistic">This population statistic includes the people who formerly considered themselves [[Yugoslavs]], thus many non-Serbs from former Yugoslavia.</ref>{{lower|<ref>[http://www.destatis.de/download/e/bevoe/AuslaenderGeburtsland.xls Startseite<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>}} |region12 = {{flag|Austria}} |pop12 = 177,300 (2005) |ref12 = {{lower|<ref>Statistik Austria (page 75): [ftp://www.statistik.at/pub/neuerscheinungen/vzaustriaweb.pdf Volkszählung 2001 Hauptergebnisse I - Österreich] ([[PDF]])</ref>}} |region13 = {{flag|United Kingdom}} |pop13 = 90,000 (2005 est.) |ref13 = {{lower|<ref>[http://www.serbiancouncil.org.uk/ The Serbian Council of Great Britain]</ref>}} |region14 = {{flag|France}} <ref name="statistic" /> |pop14 = 80,000 |ref14 = {{lower|<ref>[[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (France)|Ministère des Affaires étrangères]]: [http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/pays-zones-geo_833/serbie-et-montenegro_443/presentation-communaute-etatique-serbie-et-montenegro_952/ Présentation de la Communauté étatique de Serbie-et-Monténégro]</ref>}} |region15 = {{flag|Netherlands}} |pop15 = 90,000-102,500 |ref15 = |region16 = {{flag|Italy}} |pop16 = 78,174 |ref16 = {{lower|<ref>[http://demo.istat.it/str2004/index.html Statistiche demografiche ISTAT<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>}} |region17 = {{flag|Sweden}} |pop17 = 73,671 + unknown number of [[Bosnian Serbs]] (2006) |ref17 = {{lower|<ref>SCB(Statistics Sweden) [http://www.scb.se/statistik/_publikationer/BE0101_2006A01_BR_03_BE0107TAB.pdf] </ref>}} |region18 = {{flag|Slovenia}} |pop18 = 38,964 (2002) |ref18 = {{lower|<ref>Statistični urad Republike Slovenije: [http://www.stat.si/popis2002/si/rezultati/rezultati_red.asp?ter=SLO&st=7 7. Prebivalstvo po narodni pripadnosti, Slovenija, popisi 1953, 1961, 1971, 1981, 1991 in 2002]</ref>}} |region19 = {{flag|Greece}} |pop19 = 5,200 (2001) |ref19 = {{lower|<ref>Greece national statistical service: [http://www.statistics.gr/eng_tables/S1100_SAP_5_euro04.pdf Statistics of Greece 2002]</ref>}}|region20 = {{flagcountry|Spain}} |pop20 = 4,392 (2006) |ref20 = {{lower|<ref>Instituto Nacional de Estadística [http://www.ine.es/prodyser/pubweb/anuario06/anu06_02demog.pdf]</ref>}} |region21 = '''N.America/Australia''' |pop21 = '''500,000+''' |region22 = {{flag|United States}}* |pop22 = 169,479 American Serbs, +328,547 Yugoslavs |ref22 = {{lower|<ref>[http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/IPTable?_bm=y&-reg=ACS_2005_EST_G00_S0201:558;ACS_2005_EST_G00_S0201PR:558;ACS_2005_EST_G00_S0201T:558;ACS_2005_EST_G00_S0201TPR:558&-qr_name=ACS_2005_EST_G00_S0201&-qr_name=ACS_2005_EST_G00_S0201PR&-qr_name=ACS_2005_EST_G00_S0201T&-qr_name=ACS_2005_EST_G00_S0201TPR&-ds_name=ACS_2005_EST_G00_&-TABLE_NAMEX=&-ci_type=A&-redoLog=true&-geo_id=01000US&-format=&-_lang=en United States - Selected Population Profile in the United States (Serbian (152))<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>}} |region23 = {{flag|Canada}}* |pop23 = 100,000 to 125,000 |ref23 = {{lower|<ref>[http://www.multiculturalcanada.ca/ecp/content/serbs.html Multicultural Canada<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>}} |region24 = {{flag|Australia}}* |pop24 = 95,364 (2007 census) |ref24 = {{lower|<ref>2001 [[Australia]]: [[2006 Australian Bureau of Statistics]]: [http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/ABSNavigation/prenav/PopularAreas?ReadForm&prenavtabname=Popular%20Locations&type=popular&&navmapdisplayed=true&javascript=true&textversion=false&collection=Census&period=2006&producttype=Census%20Tables&method=Place%20of%20Usual%20Residence&productlabel=Ancestry%20by%20Country%20of%20Birth%20of%20Parents&breadcrumb=POTL&topic=Ancestry& Ancestry by Birthplace of Parent(s) - Australia : 2006 Census] ([[PDF]])</ref>}} |region25 = '''Other countries''' |pop25 = '''250,000''' |region26 = {{flag|Switzerland}} |pop26 = 191,500 (2000) |ref26 ={{lower|<ref>http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/en/index/themen/01/02/blank/key/auslaendische_bevoelkerung/staatsangehoerigkeit.html 2006 figures] (PDF)</ref>}} |region27 = {{flag|Norway}} |pop27 = 12,500 (2006) |ref27 = {{lower|<ref>Федеральная служба государственной статистики: [http://www.perepis2002.ru/ct/html/TOM_14_24.htm 4.1. Национальный состав населения]</ref>}} |region28 = {{flag|Russia}} |pop28 = 4,156 (2002) |ref28 = {{lower|<ref>Федеральная служба государственной статистики:</ref>}} |region29 = {{flagcountry|United Arab Emirates}} |pop29 = 5,000-15,000 |ref29 = {{lower|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jat.com/active/en/home/main_menu/travel_info/jat_review/april_2007/makame_iz_novog_vavilona.html|title=Maqamat of New Babylon|author=Miloš Rajković|publisher=[[Jat Airways]]|date=2007-04|accessdate=2007-09-23}}</ref>}} |languages = [[Serbian language|Serbian]] |religions = [[Serbian Orthodox Church|Serbian Orthodox Christian]] |related-c = Other [[Slavic peoples]]; [[South Slavs]]; especially [[Montenegrins]]<br>See "[[#Cognate peoples|Cognate peoples]]" below (* many Serbs opted for Yugoslav ethnicity) <ref>[http://www.euroamericans.net/Serbian.htm Serbs in America<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> }} {{Serbs}} '''Serbs''' ([[Serbian language|Serbian]]: Срби or Srbi) are a [[South Slavs|South Slavic]] people living in the [[Balkans]] and [[Central Europe]], mainly in [[Serbia]] (including [[Kosovo]]), [[Montenegro]], [[Bosnia-Herzegovina]], and, to a lesser extent, in [[Croatia]]. They are also a significant minority in two other republics of the [[Former Yugoslavia]], the [[Republic of Macedonia]] and [[Slovenia]]. Serbs are an officially recognized minority in both [[Romania]] and [[Hungary]]. There is a sizeable [[Serbian diaspora]] in [[Western Europe]] (concentrated in [[Germany]], [[Switzerland]] and [[Austria]]), as well in [[North America]]: the [[United States]] and [[Canada]]. ==Ethnogenesis== [[Byzantine]] sources report that part of the [[White Serbs]], led by the [[Unknown Archont]], migrated southwards from their Slavic homeland of [[White Serbia]] ([[Poland]]) in the late [[6th century|sixth century]] and eventually overwhelmed the [[Serbian lands]] that now make up [[Serbia]], [[Republic of Macedonia|Macedonia]], [[Montenegro]], [[Bosnia (region)|Bosnia]], [[Herzegovina]] and [[Dalmatia]]. After settling on the Balkans, Serbs mixed with other Slavic tribes (which settled during the [[great migration of the Slavs]]) and with descendants of the indigenous peoples of the Balkans: [[Greeks]], [[Thracians]], [[Dacians]] and [[Illyrians]]. Afterwards, overwhelmed by the [[Ottoman wars in Europe]] which ravaged their territories, [[Serbs]] once again started crossing the rivers [[Sava]] and [[Danube]] and resettling the previously abandoned regions in [[Central Europe]] which are today's [[Vojvodina]], [[Slavonia]], [[Transylvania]] and [[Hungary]] proper. Apart from the [[Habsburg Empire]], thousands were attracted to [[Imperial Russia]], where they were given territories to settle: [[New Serbia (historical province)|Nova Serbia]] and [[Slavo-Serbia]] were named after these refugees. Two [[Great Serbian Migrations]] resulted in a relocation of the Serbian core from the Ottoman-dominated South towards the developed (Christian) North, where it has remained ever since. <!-- ===Genetics=== The subbranch [[E3b1]]-a is present at high frequencies among the Greeks, Serbs and South Italians (up to 25%). Subclade [[J2f1]] is at 2.5% in Serbs and Slavic Macedonians. I1b* is at 29-32% in Serbs, Macedonians and Croats, as low as 3% in Macedonian Roma and Kosovar Albanians, as high as 63% in Herzegovinians. the [[R1a]] is the same in Macedonians and Serbs at 15% and close to Herzegovinians at 12%, notable gap between the Albanians (4%) and Croats (35%). Bosnian Serbs are closer to Bosniaks than to Croats, the J Haplogroup is 9% in Serbs and 12% in Bosniaks and almost non-existant among Croats. I-P37 is higher in Croats (71%) than in Serbs (31%) and Bosniaks (44%)<ref>http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16266413?dopt=Abstract</ref>. ====Chromosome Y==== Y Chromosome HG2 is among the highest in Serbia, Sweden (50%) and Gotland (65%), HG1 is at 10-15% in Serbs, Greeks, Cypriots, Belarusians, Ukrainians and in the Baltic peoples. HG3 is frequent in Central Europe but declines towards Eurasia, 15% in Serbs and Romanians, 8% in Greeks, 50% in Russians and 55% in Poles. HG9 is non-existant in Northern Europe, 10% in Czechs, Slovaks, Slovenes, Serbs, Portuguese, higher concentration in Italy, Greece, Turkey and Caucasus. <ref>http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1287948&rendertype=figure&id=FG3</ref>. Serbs are generally of Balkan genetics (Origin on the Balkans), contributed by people dominating the Balkans before the Slav arrival (Greeks, Illyrians, Thracians, Dacians) . The closest people to the Serbs are the Macedonians, who are in tight cluster with the Serbs in matter of almost all haplogroups and sub-clades. --> ==Population== The majority of Serbs live in [[Serbia]], [[Montenegro]] and [[Republika Srpska]] (in [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]]). The [[Republic of Serbia]] is the [[nation-state]] of the Serb people, they are a [[constituent nation]] in Bosnia and Herzegovina (90% in the Srpska entity) and a recognized people in the [[Republic of Montenegro]] where they have lived since their arrival 1,500 years ago. Large indigenous population also lived in [[Croatia]], where they were a constituent nation before 1990 and today a recognised [[national minority]]. Much smaller Serb autochthonous minorities exist in the Republic of Macedonia (mainly in [[Kumanovo]] and [[Skopje]]), [[Slovenia]] (Bela Krajina), [[Romania]] (Banat), [[Hungary]] ([[Szentendre]], [[Pécs]], [[Szeged]]) and [[Italy]] ([[Trieste]]- home to about 6,000 Serbs)<ref>[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20000625/ai_n14309871/pg_2 Trieste: In the wake of James Joyce | Independent, The (London) | Find Articles at BNET.com<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>. Many Serbs also live in the [[Serbian diaspora|diaspora]], notably in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, [[France]], [[Sweden]], [[Brazil]], Canada, the US and Australia. The largest urban populations of Serbs in the former [[SFRJ|Yugoslavia]] are to be found in [[Belgrade]] ( 1,700,000), [[Novi Sad]] (c. 300,000), [[Niš]] (c. 250,000), [[Banja Luka]] (in [[Bosnia-Herzegovina]]) (c. 220,000), [[Kragujevac]] (c. 175,000), [[East Sarajevo]] and [[Prijedor]] (in [[Bosnia-Herzegovina]]) (c. 130,000). All the capitals of the former [[Yugoslavia]] contain a strong historical Serbian minority - 10,000 strong and over (taking up anywhere between 2%- 3% of the population - [[Zagreb]], [[Skopje]] - through [[Ljubljana]] and [[Sarajevo]], and finally, [[Podgorica]] - over 26%). In Serbia, 6.3 million Serbs constitute about 66% (83% excluding Kosovo) of the population, including [[Kosovo]], which has declared itself independent from Serbia in [[February 17]], [[2008]]. Another 1,5 million live in [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]] [https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/bk.html] and 200,000 in [[Croatia]] (600,000 prior to the war), with another 200,000 in [[Montenegro]] following its independence. In the 1991 census Serbs consisted 36% of the overall population of [[SFRY|former Yugoslavia]]; there were around 8.5 million Serbs in the entire country. Abroad, [[Vienna]] is said to be home to the largest Serb population followed by [[Chicago]] (and its [[Chicagoland|surrounding area]]) with [[Toronto]] and Southern [[Ontario]] coming in third. [[Los Angeles]] is known to have a sizable Serbian community, but so does [[Istanbul]] and [[Paris]]. The number of Serbs in the diaspora is unknown but it is estimated to be up to 4 million according to [http://www.mzd.sr.gov.yu/_eng/intentions.asp Ministry for Diaspora Republic of Serbia]. Smaller numbers of Serbs live in [[New Zealand]], and Serbian communities in South America ([[Argentina]], [[Bolivia]], [[Brazil]] and [[Chile]]) are reported to grow and exist to this day. According to official figures, 5000 Serbs live in [[Dubai]] but the unofficial figure is estimated to be around 15,000. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jat.com/active/en/home/main_menu/travel_info/jat_review/april_2007/makame_iz_novog_vavilona.html|title=Maqamat of New Babylon|author=Miloš Rajković|publisher=[[Jat Airways]]|date=2007-04|accessdate=2007-09-23}}</ref> Many of the Serbs living in Dubai are actively involved in the service industry. ==Culture== {{main|Serbian culture}} [[Image:Miroslavs Gospel.jpg|thumb|[[Miroslav Gospels]], [[Miroslav Gospels|UNESCO]], 1186]] Serbian culture refers to the culture of [[Serbia]] as well as the culture of Serbs in other parts of the former Yugoslavia and elsewhere in the world. The nearby [[Byzantine Empire]] had a strong influence in the Middle Ages while the [[Serbian Orthodox Church]] has had an enduring influence. However, one must note that the first Serbian kings were crowned by the [[Holy See|Vatican]], not [[Constantinople]], and that prior to the Ottoman invasion Serbs have had strong Roman Catholic influence, especially in the coastal areas (Montenegro, Croatia). [[Austrians]] and [[Hungarians]] have highly influenced Serbs of [[Vojvodina]], [[Croatian Serbs]] and [[Bosnian Serbs]] to smaller extent, while [[Republic of Venice]] influenced Serbs living on the coast ([[Bay of Kotor]] for example). Serbian culture was also influenced by three centuries of rule under the Ottoman Empire. Following autonomy in 1817 and latter formal independence, there was a resurgence of Serbian culture in today's central Serbia in the nineteenth century. Prior to that of Habsburg [[Vojvodina]] was the cultural bastion of the Serbian national identity. Socialist Realism was predominant in official art during the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia but recent decades have seen a growing influence from the West as well as traditional culture. ===Famous Serbs=== {{seealso|List of Serbs}} [[Image:Bogumili-tvrtka1.jpg|thumb|[[Tvrtko I of Bosnia|King Stefan Tvrtko of Bosnia and Serbia]], 1300s]] Serbs have played a significant role in the development of the [[arts]] and [[sciences]]. Prominent individuals include the scientists [[Nikola Tesla]], [[Michael I. Pupin]], [[Jovan Cvijić]], and [[Milutin Milankovitch|Milutin Milanković]]; the renowned mathematician [[Mihailo Petrović]] and controversial co-author of Theory of Relativity [[Mileva Marić]] (Albert Einstein's first wife); the famous composers [[Goran Bregovic]], [[Stevan Mokranjac]] and [[Stevan Hristić]]; the celebrated authors [[Borislav Pekić]], [[Ivo Andrić]] and [[Miloš Crnjanski]]; the prolific inventor [[Ogneslav Kostović Stepanović]]; the polymath [[Đura Jakšić]]; the famous sports stars like [[Ana Ivanović]], [[Predrag Stojakovic]], [[Dejan Stankovic]] and [[Vlade Divac]]; actors [[Karl Malden]] (Mladen Sekulovich), [[Rade Šerbedžija]] and the actress [[Milla Jovovich]]. Famous directors like [[Dušan Makavejev]], [[Peter Bogdanovich]] and [[Emir Kusturica]]. The Serb ruler during the Middle Ages (see [[List of Serbian rulers]]), [[Stefan Nemanja|Stephen Nemanja]], and his son, [[Saint Sava]], founded the monastery of [[Hilandar]] for the [[Serbian Orthodox Church]], one of the greatest and oldest Orthodox Christian monuments in the world. Famous singers [["Weird Al" Yankovic]], [[Željko Joksimović]] and [[Marija Šerifović]] are of Serbian origin. The mother of the last (Eastern) [[Roman Emperor]], [[Constantine XI|Constantine XI Paleologos]] Dragases, was a Serbian princess, [[Helene Dragas|Helena Dragash]] (''Jelena Dragaš''), and she liked to be known by her Serbian surname of Dragaš. [[Mehmed-paša Sokolović]] a 16th-century Ottoman [[Grand Vizier]]. Born in an [[Serbian Orthodox Church|Orthodox Serb]] family in southeast [[Bosnia (region)|Bosnia]], Sokolović was taken away at an early age as part of the [[devshirmeh]] system of [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] collection of young boys to be raised to serve as janissaries or in the imperial administration. According to the ''[[National Enquirer]]'', author [[Ian Fleming]] patterned [[James Bond]] after [[Duško Popov]], a real life Serbian double agent nicknamed "Tricycle". [[Gavrilo Princip]], a [[Bosnian Serb]], assassinated [[Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria|Archduke Franz Ferdinand]] on [[28 June]] [[1914]], precipitating the crisis between Austro-Hungary and Serbia that led to the [[World War I]]. ===Language=== {{main|Serbian language}} Serbs speak the [[Serbian language]], a member of the [[Slavic languages|South Slavic]] group of languages. While the Ethnic identity is to some extent linguistic, apart from the [[Cyrillic alphabet]] which Serbs use along with Latin alphabet, the language is mutually intelligible (Almost identical) to the standard [[Croatian language|Croatian]] and [[Bosnian language|Bosnian]] (see [[Differences in standard Serbian, Croatian and Bosnian]]) and some linguists still consider it part of the pre-war [[Serbo-Croatian language]]. [[Image:AlphabetiSerborum 1841.jpg|thumb|left|200px|'''Serbian Cyrillic and Serbian Latin''', from ''Comparative orthography of European languages''. Source: [[Vuk Stefanović Karadžić]] "Srpske narodne pjesme" (''Serbian folk poems''), [[Vienna]], 1841]] There are several variants of the Serbian language. The older forms of Serbian are [[Old Serbian]] and Russo-Serbian, a version of the [[Church Slavonic language]]. Some members of the [[Serbian diaspora]] do not speak the language (in English-speaking countries of USA, Canada and UK) but are still considered Serbs by ethnic origin or descent. Non-Serbs who studied the Serbian language include such prominent individuals as [[Johann Wolfgang von Goethe]] and [[J. R. R. Tolkien]]; see [[List of Serbs#Serbian language speakers.2C learners.2C etc.|list of Serbian language speakers, learners, etc.]] ===Surnames=== {{main|Serbian surnames}} Most [[Serbian surnames]] have the [[family name affix|surname suffix]] -ić ({{pronounced|itʲ}} or {{IPA|[itɕ]}}, Cyrillic: -ић). This is often [[Transliteration|transliterated]] as -ic. In history, Serbian names have often been transcribed with a phonetic ending, -ich or -itch. This form is often associated with Serbs from before the early 20th century: hence Milutin Milanković is usually referred to, for historical reasons, as [[Milutin Milankovitch]]. The -ić suffix is a [[Slavic languages|Slavic]] [[diminutive]], originally functioning to create [[patronymic]]s. Thus the surname Petrić signifies ''little Petar'', as does, for example, a common prefix [[Surnames#Ireland|Mac]] ("son of") in Scottish and O' in Irish names. It is estimated that some two thirds of all Serbian surnames end in -ić but that some 80% of Serbs carry such a surname with many common names being spread out among tens and even hundreds of non-related extended families. Other common surname suffixes are -ov or -in which is the Slavic [[possessive case]] suffix, thus Nikola's son becomes ''Nikolin,'' Petar's son ''Petrov,'' and Jovan's son ''Jovanov''. Those are more typical for Serbs from [[Vojvodina]]. The two suffixes are often combined. The most common surnames are Nikolić, Petrović, and Jovanović. ===Religion=== {{main|Serbian Orthodox Church}} [[Image:Decani.jpg|thumb|Fresco from [[Visoki Dečani]], [[Visoki Dečani|UNESCO]], [[Kosovo]], 1200s]] [[Orthodox Christianity]] has played a significant role in formation of the Serbian identity. Conversion of south [[Slavs]] from paganism to Christianity took place before the [[East-West Schism|Great Schism]], the split between the [[Byzantine Empire|Orthodox]] East and the [[Roman Catholic]] West. After the Schism, those who lived under the Orthodox [[sphere of influence]] became Orthodox and those who lived under the Catholic sphere of influence became [[Catholic]]. Later, with the arrival of the [[Ottoman Empire]], many Slavs converted to [[Islam]]. Some [[ethnologist]]s consider that the distinct Serb, [[Croats|Croatian]] and [[Bosniaks|Bosniak]] identities are drawn from religion rather than ethnicity. ===Symbols=== {{main|List of Serbian flags}} The [[Serbian flag]] is a red-blue-white [[tricolour]]. It is often combined with one or both of the other Serb symbols. *The white [[two-headed eagle]], which represents dual power and sovereignty (Serbian and Byzantine), was the [[coat of arms]] of the [[House of Nemanjic|House of Nemanjić]]. *The [[Serbian cross]]. If displayed on a field, traditionally it is on red field, but could be used with no field at all. Both the eagle and the cross, besides being the basis for various [[Coat of arms of Serbia|Serbian coats of arms]] through history, are bases for the symbols of various Serbian organizations, political parties, institutions and companies. Serbian folk attire varies, mostly because of the very diverse [[geography]] and [[climate]] of the territory inhabited by the Serbs. Some parts of it are, however, common: [[Image:Opanci.jpg|thumb|[[Opanci]]- shoes of [[Central Serbia]], 1800s]] *A traditional shoe that is called the ''[[opanak]]''. It is recognizable by its distinctive tips that spiral backward. Each region of Serbia has a different kind of tips. *A traditional hat that is called the ''[[sajkaca|šajkača]]''. It is easily recognizable by its top part that looks like the letter V or like the bottom of a boat (viewed from above), after which it got its name. It gained wide popularity in the early 20th century as it was the hat of the Serbian army in the [[World War I|First World War]]. It is still worn everyday by some villagers today, and it was a common item of headgear among [[Republika Srpska|Bosnian Serb]] military commanders during the [[Bosnian War]] in the 1990s. However, "šajkača" is common mostly for the Serbian population living in the region of [[Central Serbia]] ([[Šumadija]]), while Serbs living in [[Vojvodina]], [[Montenegro]], [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]], and [[Croatia]] had different types of traditional hats, which are not similar to "šajkača". Different types of traditional hats could be also found in eastern and southern parts of Central Serbia. ===Customs=== The Serbs are a highly family-oriented society. A peek into a Serbian dictionary and the richness of [[Serbian kinship|their terminology related to kinship]] speaks volumes. Of all [[Slavic peoples|Slavs]] and [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Orthodox Christians]], only Serbs have the custom of ''[[slava]]''. The custom could also be found among some [[Russians]] and [[Albanians]] of Serbian origin although it has often been lost in the last century. ''Slava'' is celebration of a saint; unlike most customs that are common for the whole people, each family separately celebrates its own saint (of course, there is a lot of overlap) who is considered its protector. A ''slava'' is inherited from father to son and each household may only have one celebration which means that the occasion brings all of the family together. Though a lot of old customs are now no longer practised, many of the customs that surround [[Serbian wedding]]s still are. The traditional Serbian dance is a [[circle dance]] called ''[[kolo (dance)|kolo]]''. It is a collective dance, where a group of people (usually several dozen, at the very least three) hold each other by the hands or around the waist dancing, forming a [[circle]] (hence the name), semicircle or [[spiral]]. It is called ''Oro'' in Montenegro. Similar circle dances also exist in other cultures of the region. Serbs have their own customs regarding [[Christmas]]. The [[Serbian Orthodox Church]] uses the [[Julian calendar]], so Christmas currently falls on [[January 7]] of the [[Gregorian calendar]]. Early in the morning of Christmas Eve, the head of the family would go to a forest in order to cut ''[[badnjak]]'', a young [[oak]], the oaktree would then be brought into the church to be blessed by the priest. Then the oaktree would be stripped of its branches with combined with wheat and other grain products would be burned in the fireplace. The burning of the ''badnjak'' is a ritual which is most certainly of pagan origin and it is considered a sacrifice to God (or the old pagan gods) so that the coming year may bring plenty of food, happiness, love, luck and riches. Nowadays, with most Serbs living in towns, most simply go to their church service to be given a small parcel of oak, wheat and other branches tied together to be taken home and set afire. The house floor and church is covered with [[hay]], reminding worshippers of the [[stable]] in which [[Jesus]] was born. Christmas Day itself is celebrated with a feast, necessarily featuring [[roasted piglet]] as the main meal. Another Christmas meal is a deliciously sweet cake made of wheat, called ''[[koljivo]]'' whose consumption is more for ritual than nourishment. One crosses oneself first, then takes a spoonful of the cake and savours it. But the most important Christmas meal is ''[[cesnica|česnica]]'', a special kind of bread. The bread contains a coin; during the [[lunch]], the family breaks up the bread and the one who finds the coin is said to be assured of an especially happy year. Christmas is not associated with presents like in the [[Western world|West]], although it is the day of [[Saint Nicholas]], the protector saint of children, to whom presents are given. However, most Serbian families give presents on New Year's Day. Santa Claus (''Deda Mraz'' (literally meaning ''Grandpa Frost'')) and the Christmas tree (but rather associated with [[New Year's Day]]) are also used in Serbia as a result of [[globalisation]]. Serbs also celebrate the Orthodox New Year (currently on [[January 14]] of the [[Gregorian Calendar]]). Religious Serbs also celebrate other religious holidays and even non-religious people often celebrate [[Easter]] (on the Orthodox date). For Serbian meals, see [[Serbian cuisine]]. ===Stereotypes=== One oft-quoted aspect of the Serbian character is ''inat'' (инат), roughly translating as "[[spite]]," or the stubborn refusal to submit (regardless of the reason), or acting to the contrary, even to the point of harming oneself. While inat can have negative connotations, some cite Serbian tenacity in sports and in warfare to this characteristic. <ref name=inat>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/special_report/1999/02/99/e-cyclopedia/325997.stm|title=Inat: Serbia's secret weapon|date=1999-04-23|publisher=[[BBC]] News e-cyclopedia|accessdate=2007-06-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,977561-1,00.html|title=Serbia's Spite|author=Bruce W. Nelan|publisher=[[TIME magazine]]|date=1993-01-25|accessdate=2007-06-05}}</ref> Another related feature, often lamented by Serbs themselves, is disunity and discord; as Slobodan Naumović puts it, "Disunity and disaccord have acquired in the Serbian popular imaginary a notorious, quasi-demiurgic status. They are often perceived as being the chief malefactors in Serbian history, causing political or military defeats, and threatening to tear Serbian society completely apart." That disunity is often quoted as the source of Serbian historic tragedies, from the [[Battle of Kosovo]] in 1389 to [[Yugoslav wars]] in 1990s.<ref>{{cite paper|title=The social origins and political uses of popular narratives on Serbian disunity|author=Slobodan Naumović|publisher=Filozofija i društvo 2005 Issue 26, Pages: 65-104|url=http://www.doiserbia.nbs.bg.ac.yu/(A(Al2nFZ2-xwEkAAAAOTJkOTk5ZGItM2EwNS00NThjLWE4NDItYzNhZTcxMmQ4NTlir4FJA669xuQxXzHw2d6fLAEME-M1))/img/doi/0353-5738/2005/0353-57380526065N.pdf}}</ref> Even the contemporary notion of "two Serbias"—one supposedly anational, liberal and Eurocentric, and the other conservative, nationalist and Euroskeptic—seems to be the extension of the said discord.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nspm.org.yu/koment_2007/2007_radun2.htm|publisher=Nova srpska politička misao|author=Branko Radun|title=Dve zadušnice za "dve Srbije”|date=2007-03-10|accessdate=2007-06-05}}</ref> Popular proverbs "two Serbs, three parties" and "God save that Serbs may unite!", and even the unofficial Serbian motto "only unity saves Serbs" (''Samo sloga Srbina spasava'') illustrate the national frustration with the inability to unite over important issues. As with many other peoples, there are popular stereotypes on the local level: in popular jokes and stories, inhabitants of [[Vojvodina]] (''Lale'') are perceived as [[phlegmatic]], undisturbed and slow; Montenegrins are lazy and pushy; southern Serbians are [[miser]]s; [[Bosnia (region)|Bosnia]]ns are raw and stupid; people from Central Serbia are often portrayed as capricious and malicious, etc. ==History== {{main|History of Serbs}} {{seealso|History of Serbia}} Before their arrival on the Balkans, Serbs inhabited [[White Serbia]], situated in present day [[Poland]]. The Serb settlement in the Balkans took place between 610 and 630. They formed five principalities in the early 7th century which were later to be incorporated into the [[Serbian Empire]], called [[Political entities inhabited or ruled by Serbs|Rascia, Travunia, Zachlumia, Pagania and Doclea]]. The Serbs were under the Byzantine sphere which contributed greatly to the Serbs and their culture. The Serbian region was [[Christianized]] by [[Byzantine Greek]] [[Christian missionaries]] in several waves even before the arrival of Serbs in 610, before the [[Great Schism]] that would further differentiate Serbs from their neighbouring Croats. [[Image:Europe 814.jpg|200px|thumb|Serbian settlements in 814, scattered across the [[Balkans]]]] The first Serb states were [[Rascia]] or ''Raška'' and [[Zeta (state)|Zeta]]. Their rulers had varying degrees of autonomy, until virtual independence was achieved under [[Saint Sava]], who became the first head of the [[Serbian Orthodox Church]], and his brother [[Stefan Prvovenčani of Serbia]], who became the first Serb [[monarch|king]]. Serbia did not exist as a state of that name, but was rather the region inhabited by the Serbs; its kings and tsars were called the "King of the Serbs" or "Tsar of the Serbs", not "King of Serbia" or "Tsar of Serbia". The medieval Serbian states are nonetheless often (if anachronistically) referred as a whole to as "Serbia". Serbia reached its [[golden age]] under the [[House of Nemanjić]], with the Serbian state reaching its apogee of power in the reign of [[Stefan Dusan|Tsar Stefan Uroš Dušan]]. The Serbian Empire lost it's powers following Stefan's death and the contemporary incursion of the [[Ottoman Empire]] into south-eastern [[Europe]] frightened the Balkans. With Ottoman expansion into Europe with the fall of [[Adrianople]] and [[Thrace]], Serbs together with Hungarians, Bulgarians, Greeks and others, tried their best for the Balkans integrity. The Turks gained more power, and in 1389, the Serbs fought them in the historical [[Battle of Kosovo]], which is regarded as the key event in the loss of Serbia to the Ottoman Empire. By 1459, Serbia was beaten by the Turks, the small Serbian territories of Bosnia and Montenegro were lost by 1496. [[Image:SrbiBalkan.gif|thumb|right|Serbs in 1910]] As Christians, the Serbs were regarded as a "[[Dhimmi|protected people]]" under Ottoman law. Many converted to Islam, notably in the [[Sandzak]] and [[Bosnia (region)|Bosnia]] region, some converted in order to be more successful in the [[Ottoman Empire]] society, many were forced as part of [[Turkification]] or [[Islamisation]] and avoided persecution. Serbs, together with [[Greeks]] and [[Bulgarians]], were favored as the Sultans infantry unit called [[Janissaries]], the outcome of the [[Devşirme]] system. The Serbs opposed the Ottoman yoke, which resulted in several major battles and rebellions against the Turks and de-population of [[Serbian lands]]. Serbs in the south migrated to the north and sought refuge in Croatia and Hungary. The Serbs of Montenegro were disliked because of their bravery and dignity to each other, unsatisfacted with the situation in the region, they assassinated many deployed Turks in the mountains, which caused heavy monitoring of the [[Serb clans]] and hiding from the Turks was necessary, or else, death awaited. Years went on and the [[Austrian Empire|Austro-Hungarian Empire]] gained control in the north, which also threatened the dreams of a free state of the Serbs. The Serbs and Croats rebelled in [[Dalmatia]] and [[Slavonia]] in guerilla formations of [[Uskoks]] and [[Hajduk]]s during the 16th and 17th century. In 1852, the [[Principality of Montenegro]] was proclaimed, a nation-state of the Serbs. [[Image:Serbia1918.png|200px|thumb|Serbia in 1918, covering [[Serbia]], [[Macedonia]], [[Montenegro]]; parts of [[Croatia]], [[Romania]] and [[Hungary]]]] At the beginning of the 19th century, the [[First Serbian Uprising]] succeeded in liberating at least some Serbs for a limited time. The [[Second Serbian Uprising]] was much more successful, resulting in Ottoman recognition of Serbia as autonomous [[principality]] within the Empire. Serbia acquired international recognition as an independent [[Monarchy|kingdom]] at the [[Congress of Berlin]] in 1878. However, many Serbs remained under foreign rule &ndash; that of the Ottomans in the south, and of the Habsburgs in the north and west. The southern Serbs were liberated in the [[First Balkan War]] of 1912, while the question of the Habsburg Serbs' independence was the spark that lit [[World War I]] two years later. During the war, the Serbian army fought fiercely, eventually retreating through [[Albania]] to regroup in [[Greece]], and launched a counter-offensive through [[Macedonia (region)|Macedonia]]. Though they were eventually victorious, the war devastated Serbia and killed a huge proportion of its population &ndash; by some estimates, over half of the male Serbian population died in the conflict, influencing the region's [[demographics]] to this day. After the war, the [[Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes]] (later called [[Yugoslavia]]) was created. Almost all Serbs finally lived in one state, in majority. The Kingdom had its capital in [[Belgrade]] and was ruled by a Serbian king; it was, however, unstable and prone to ethnic tensions. During the [[Second World War]], the [[Axis Powers]] occupied Yugoslavia, dismembering the country. Serbia was occupied by the Germans, while in Bosnia and Croatia, Serbs were put under the rule of the [[Italians]] and the fascist [[Ustaša]] regime in the [[Independent State of Croatia]]. Under Ustaša rule in particular, Serbs and other non-Croats were subjected to systematic [[genocide]], known as the [[Jasenovac|Serbian genocide]], when hundreds of thousands were killed. The Hungarian and Albanian fascists, who occupied northern and southern parts of the country, also performed persecutions and genocide against the Serb population from these regions. After the war, the [[Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia]] was formed. As with pre-war Yugoslavia, the country's capital was at Belgrade. [[Serbia]] was the largest republic and the largest ethnic group. There were also two established autonomous provinces within Serbia - [[Kosovo]] (with an Albanian majority) and [[Vojvodina]] (with an Hungarian minority). Besides Serbia, the large Serb populations were concentrated in [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]] (where they were the largest ethnic group until 1971) and [[Croatia]] as well as [[Montenegro]]. Communist Yugoslavia collapsed in the early 1990s, with four of its six republics becoming independent states. This led to several bloody [[Yugoslav Wars|civil wars]], as the large Serbian communities in [[Croatia]] and Bosnia attempted to remain within Yugoslavia, then consisting of only [[Serbia]] and [[Montenegro]]. Serbs in Croatia formed their state of [[Republika Srpska Krajina]] which was later abolished by the Croatian government (result of expelling of more than 250,000 Serbs and killing of thousands during [[Operation Storm]]) a shuttering reminder of events in the World War II. Serbs in Bosnia and Herzegovina formed their state of [[Republika Srpska]], currently one of the two political entities that form the country of [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]]. Another war broke out in [[Kosovo]] (see [[Kosovo War]]) after years of tensions between Serbs and [[Albanians]]. Up to 250,000 Serbs expelled from Croatia during the "[[Operation Storm]]" in 1995, and 300,000 left until 1993, and another 200,000 were expelled from Kosovo after the Kosovo War, and settled mostly in [[Central Serbia]] and [[Vojvodina]] as refugees. == Subgroups == The subgroups of Serbs are commonly based on regional affiliation. Some of the major subgroups of Serbs include: [[Šumadija|Šumadinci]], [[Zlatibor|Ere]], [[Serbs in Vojvodina|Vojvođani]], [[Bačka|Bačvani]], [[Banat|Banaćani]], [[Bokelji]], [[Syrmia|Sremci]], [[Semberija|Semberci]], [[Bosanska Krajina|Krajišnici]], [[Herzegovina|Hercegovci]], [[Torlaks|Torlaci]], [[Shopi]],etc. [[Montenegrins]] were/are considered a subgroup of Serbs for a long time by themselves, as well as by Serbs outside Montenegro. In the late 20th century, an independence movement in Montenegro gained ground, resulting in a split among Montenegrins on the issue. Now some consider themselves to belong to a separate Montenegrin nation, however world wide the presence of Serb Montenegrins is prevailing. ('''Note''': These terms can be also used to refer to any native inhabitants of the regions in question, regardless of ethnicity, i.e. to [[Hungarians in Vojvodina|Magyar Vojvodinians]] or Croat Herzegovinians.) Some Serbs, mostly living in [[Montenegro]] and [[Herzegovina]] are organized in [[clan]]s. See: [[list of Serbian tribes]]. == Maps == <center><gallery> Image:Srbi_u_Jugoslaviji.jpg|<small>Serbs (blue) in Yugoslavia according to the 1981 census data.</small> Image:Serbia ethnic02.png|<small>Serbs (yellow) in Serbia as per 2002 census data for Central Serbia and Vojvodina, and 1991 census data for Kosovo.</small> Image:Montenegroetno03.png|<small>Serbs in Montenegro as per 2003 census data.</small> Image:DemoBIH2006a.png|<small>Ethnic map of Bosnia and Herzegovina, 2006 municipality data. Bosnian Serbs - blue, Bosnian Croats - red, Bosnian Muslims - green.</small> </gallery></center> == See also == * [[List of Serbs]] * [[Political entities inhabited or ruled by Serbs]] * [[Raci]], pejorative designation of Serbs by Germans * [[Serb clans]], Serb noble and warrior clans of Montenegro * [[Serbian American|Serbian-Americans]] * [[Serbs of Albania]] * [[Serbs of Bosnia and Herzegovina]] * [[Serbs of Croatia]] * [[Serbs in Hungary]] * [[Serbs of Kosovo]] * [[Serbs of Macedonia]] * [[Serbs of Montenegro]] * [[Serbs in Romania]] * [[Serbs of Vojvodina]] * [[Timeline of Serbian history]] * [[Serbians]], citizens of Serbia * [[Serbomans]], pejorative term for Serb Macedonians * [[Yugoslavs]] * [[Religion in Serbia]] * [[Three-finger salute (Serbian)]], Serb salute ==External links== {{portal}} * [http://www.serbianna.com Serbianna] News server about Serbia and the Balkans ==Notes== {{reflist|2}} {{FA link|mk}} {{Ethnic groups of Serbia}} [[Category:Serbs|*]] [[Category:Serbian people]] [[Category:Slavic nations|Serbs]] [[Category:Ethnic groups in Europe]] [[Category:Ethnic groups in Kosovo]] [[Category:Ethnic groups in Montenegro]] [[Category:Ethnic groups in Serbia]] [[Category:Ethnic groups in Bosnia and Herzegovina]] [[Category:Ethnic groups in Croatia]] [[Category:Ethnic groups in the Republic of Macedonia]] [[Category:Ethnic groups in Hungary]] [[Category:Ethnic groups in Romania]] [[Category:Ethnic groups in Slovenia]] [[Category:Slavic ethnic groups]] [[Category:Serbian society]] {{Link FA|mk}} [[ar:صرب]] [[be:Сербы]] [[bs:Srbi]] [[bg:Сърби]] [[ca:Serbis]] [[cs:Srbové]] [[cy:Serbiaid]] [[de:Serben]] [[eo:Serboj]] [[fr:Serbes]] [[ko:세르비아인]] [[hr:Srbi]] [[it:Serbi]] [[ka:სერბები]] [[lt:Serbai]] [[hu:Szerbek]] [[mk:Срби]] [[nl:Serviërs]] [[ja:セルビア人]] [[no:Serbere]] [[pl:Serbowie]] [[pt:Sérvios]] [[ro:Sârbi]] [[ru:Сербы]] [[sk:Srbi]] [[cu:Срьби (южьни)]] [[sl:Srbi]] [[sr:Срби]] [[sh:Srbi]] [[fi:Serbit]] [[sv:Serber]] [[tr:Sırplar]] [[uk:Серби]]