Migrations in Serbia during the 18th Century and Patriarchal Society Institutions Cover Image

Миграције у Cрбији XVIII века и установе патријархалног друштва
Migrations in Serbia during the 18th Century and Patriarchal Society Institutions

Author(s): Miroslav Svirčević
Subject(s): Cultural Anthropology / Ethnology, Culture and social structure , Family and social welfare, 18th Century, The Ottoman Empire, Migration Studies, Social Norms / Social Control
Published by: Етнографски институт САНУ
Keywords: migrations; patriarchal civilization; households; village assembly; village prince; village villeins; principal assembly; principal prince;

Summary/Abstract: Ever since the Turks penetrated the Balkans from Asia Minor, migrations and ethnic composition changes occurred very frequently in Serbia and the Balkan Peninsula in general. These migrations and ethnic composition changes especially characterized the 18th century period, when initial conditions were set for subsequent liberation wars against the Turks in the 19th century. The reasons bringing about these mass migrations could be divided into three groups: 1, a military-political reason, 2, an economic-geographical reason, and 3, an hygienic-health reason. All o f them operated simultaneously, causing mass migrations and changes in the demography of Serbia and the Balkans in general. Because of these migrations, a new population group of Serbs was created in the jurisdiction of pasha in Belgrade, that created in turn, a few very important establishments based on patriarchal culture and civilization. These are the new bodies: family co-operative associations (family committee, master of the house, lady of the house, members of the co-operative associations), village and village headman self-management (village assembly, village headman, villein, headman assembly, principality headman). All of these establishments have the same origin and functioned in a very similar manner, based on ancient common law rules. The similarities between these bodies could be recognized in a twofold way, based on a correlation with 1, family committee — village assembly — headman assembly, and 2, master of the house — villein — principality headman. There are no real differences among them. The difference is visible only in their personal and territorial range.

  • Issue Year: LII/2004
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 311-326
  • Page Count: 16
  • Language: Serbian