IMIDŽ OSMANLIJA U HISTORIJSKIM UDŽBENICIMA U BOSNI I HERCEGOVINI
IMAGES OF THE OTTOMANS IN HISTORY TEXTBOOKS IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

Summary/Abstract: In this article we analyzed history textbooks for elementary schools in B&H in order to find out what image of Ottomans they project. Major differences exist in this regard between Bosnian, Croatian and Serbian language textbooks. Authors of Bosnian language textbooks and some Croatian authors try to highlight the best from the past as the foundation for coexistence today, while Serb and some Croat authors draw the attention of the pupils to the worst episodes from the Ottoman past. Especially disturbing in Serbian textbooks is repetitive mentioning of alleged impalement of Serbs by Ottomans. They systematically and persistently project negative stereotypes about Ottomans and in such way spread distrust among BH peoples. Textbooks in Bosnian language, although the most appropriate for Bosnian multi-religious and multiethnic context, sometimes still try to idealize certain aspects of the Ottoman history (i.e., devširme).

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