Some more thoughts on the study of "identities" in the past Cover Image

Još malo o proučavanju "identiteta" u prošlosti
Some more thoughts on the study of "identities" in the past

Author(s): Marko Pijovic
Subject(s): History
Published by: Institut za istoriju
Keywords: contexts; identities; identifications; labeling; languages; etymology; philology; Slavs; history; sociology; terminology; ethnicity; tribal societies; clan organization; population genetics; genes; origins; methodology; politics; science

Summary/Abstract: This article builds on two previous works by the same author, on the study of “identities” and identifications in the past; and in a way represents a supplement to the ideas presented in those works. It is divided into four sections in which the author briefly discusses specific topics in the field of history of identities, that is identifications. The first part of the article briefly discusses the problem of (in)stability and durability of identities and identification patterns. The author asks the question why certain forms of identification seem more importaint to people than some other forms of identification, and why do they prefer one form to the other. The second part of the paper deals with the questions of language, and language identification, and its possible reaches in the past. The author discusses several aspects of these issues, from the question of naming the language, to the question of when and why does the need for language labeling occur; in other words, what type of situations can cause the emergence of some type of “language awareness”. The third part discusses the problems of terminology and categorical apparatus in history and sociology, using the example of the concept of “clan-society”, or “tribal-society”. The paper points out the deficiencies of that concept, as well as the fact that many of the “tribal” or “clanish” elements survive in societies that are usualy not considered to be organised on the principles of the “tribal” model, which is why the author points out that it is questionable whether these “tribal” or “clanish” elements of societies ever cease to exist. Namely, even contemporary communities, often known as “peoples”, or simpy “ethnic groups”, are in fact tribal-like and clan-like constructs, since “ethnic groups” are social units formed on the basis of the idea of a shared descent, ie. consanguinity of its members. And since the clans, tribes, and similar social units are essentialy groups of blood relatives, or more precisely, presumed blood relatives, one must ask what purpose does exactly the concept of “tribal society” serve, and what are its scopes and limits. The fourth, and the largest part of this article focuses on some of the problematic elements of population genetics. Specifically, the author discusses the applicability of the results of genetic research in historical science, and the problems that can occur as a result of these attempts. Apart from discussing terminological and methodological problems that can occur when attempting to apply genetic research and its results in the study of history, the author also discusses the possible problems arising from the use of a too small number of DNA samples when researching human genes. The article also discusses the existance of a fairly wide space available for manipulation and sensationalism when trying to connect genetics and history, especially when this is being done by insufficiently schooled authors.

  • Issue Year: 2014
  • Issue No: 14
  • Page Range: 159-243
  • Page Count: 85
  • Language: Croatian