Bokelji
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The Bokelj people (pl. Bokelji) are the inhabitants of the Boka Kotorska (hence the name) and adjacent regions (near the towns of Kotor, Tivat, Herceg Novi, Risan, Perast).
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Origin
The Bokelj designation is regional rather than ethnic. These Slavic people originated in the medieval duchy of Duklja which was one of the original principalities from which the Montenegron state evolved. Today's Bokelji are mostly Montenegrin and Croat.
Ethnic structure in more distant past (700 – 1300 years) is impossible to decipher invoking older historical sources, since they give contradictory "evidence" and are, to various degrees, discredited as credible sources. Old texts (Porphyrogenetus, Skylitza, Zonara, Briennius, Toma Arcidjakon, Libellus Gothorum, Ibn Idrisi, various Venetian sources (Ivan Djakon, Dandolo, ...) give contradictory pictures that descibe the inhabitants of the area (which included almost entire contemporary Montenegro) as Slavs, Montenegrins, Croats, Romans, ... and mixture of them. The first king of Dioclea Mihajlo (1074.-1081.) contemporary chronicler, Byzantine historian John Scylitza refers to as "...the ruler of those who call themselves Croats..". Other sources give different designations.
As for the later period (1500s on), it is evident that Boka bay inhabitants considered themselves "Slovins" (Catholic version of nascent pan-Slavism) and when referring to themselves they used Croatian name (for instance, in famous dedication Kotor noble Maro Dragović addressed the father of Croatian philology Bartol Kašić in late 1500s).
However, historically Dioclea came under the Serbian rule in early 13th century (Stefan Nemanja, who fled to Dioclea in 1130., was baptised in Roman rite, since there was no Eastern Orthodoxy in Dioclea in that time. See notes on denominations below). Although Serbian Orthodox proselytism was partially successful, Dioclea remained mostly Catholic up until Turkish conquest in the 15th and 16th century. There was no explicit expression of Serbian ethnic consciousness among Catholic Montenegrins (as Dioclea, then Zeta became known), particularly in large tribes of Bjelopavlovići, Piperi or Bratnožići.
In early 1600s, many Catholic Montenegrins were, due to lack of clergy and the privileged status of Orthodox Church within Ottoman Empire (priviled when compared to Catholic) shifted their denominational allegiances to the Orthodox (mostly) and Islamic faith. This can be seen in the letter of Juraj Vusković from 1633., a native from Montenegro, who wrote on this matter to the Roman Inst. of St. Jerome, upon revisiting his home country. During Turkish oppression in 1648.-, many Catholics converted to Islam, particularly in Bar and Herceg Novi.
When ethnic-religious strife culminated in 1709 and later ("istraga poturica"), many Montenegrin Muslims fled to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The dominant ethnic surname among them was almost exclusively referring to Croat ancestry (Hrvat, Harvat, Arvat = Croat): Hrvat, Hrvo, Hrvačić, Arvat, Arvatović etc. In the Sokolović area near Rudo in eastern Bosnia lived even in 1932 ten Muslim families with surname Hrvat whose ancestors had emigrated from Montenegro. The similar situation was in Rogatica, Tuzla, Zvornik,.., with onomastic tags as: Arvati (Tuzla-Konjuh, Gračanica, Zvornik), mahalas Hrvati (Lukavac, Tuzla), Rvacka (two villages in Sandžak), Hrvatin (near Novi Pazar in Raška).
As for Boka bay, it's even more unimaginable that Serbs would be dominant ethnic element, considering that the majority of populace simply became Montenegrins due to conversion to Orthodoxy in the hinterland — a process that lasted more than 5 centuries.
The Catholics constituted the majority up to the 2nd half of the 19th century, but according to some opinions were mostly descendants of converts during Venetian rule. Also, having in mind that the entire region of Boka bay and the great part of Montenegro had remained Catholic for centuries after the East-West Christian split in 11th century, some historians claim that the majority of Orthodox people in the region are converts from Catholicism, creating a new ethnic-religious landscape of the area, especially after the expulsion of Islamized inhabitants in the 18th century.
Population
The three counties making up Boka Kotorska have a total population of 71,443 which has about 76% Orthodox and 11% Catholics:
- Kotor 23,481: 78% Orthodox, 13% Roman Catholic
- Tivat 13,991: 65% Orthodox, 23% Catholic
- Herceg-Novi 33,971: 84% Orthodox, 4% Catholic
Large numbers of Bokelji emigrated to the Dalmatian islands of Brac, Hvar, Korcula and the city of Dubrovnik.
History & Monuments made by Bokeljs
The Boka region has a long naval tradition -- ever since the middle ages the Bokeljs had a very strong fleet, which counted as many as 300 ships in the 18th century. Boka was a rival to Dubrovnik and Venice.
The Bokelj Marine 809 (Bokeljska mornarica 809) is a confraternity founded in the 19th century whose aim was to promote nationalism among the inhabitants. In 809 the remains of St Tripun were brought by Bokelj mariners from Asia Minor to Kotor. The Cathedral of St. Tripun in Kotor is the oldest cathedral in Boka, built in 1166.
There are two beautiful churches on two islets in Boka bay created by the Bokeljs. Both were built in the first half of the 17th century. The two churches are called Sveti Đurađ and Gospa od Škrpjela near the town of Perast.
It is interesting that the Church of Gospa od Skrpjela is built on an artificial island. Each year a procession of Bokeljs encircle in numerous fishing boats and pilgrims throw pebbles around it. These was a tradition that was done for some 100 years to create it.
An important monument, showing uninterrupted presence of the Bokeljs in Boka kotorska during many centuries, is the cathedral of St. Tripun in the town of Kotor, built as early as 1166. It represents the oldest known Bokelj cathedral. Its ciborium is decorated with a beautiful interlace pattern which is even older than the church itself, and of the same type as numerous exotic interlace patterns found in many pre-Romanesque churches along the Adriatic coast.
The town of Kotor has a surrounding wall which is about 5km long. This wall was built to protect the capital of Boka.
The Benedictine order has been present in the region of Boka kotorska since the 9th century. Today this region has about a hundred of Catholic churches and chapels. However there are more than twice as many Orthodox churches and chapels, and the only monasteries in the area are Montenegrin.
The town of Perast had extremely difficult moments in 1654 when the attacks of the Turks were especially dangerous, they were doing this because the Bokeljs sank an Ottoman ship. The brave and successful defence of Perast and Boka by Bokeljs received attention all over Europe. This was the reason of the arrival of Petar Zrinski, a famous statesman in Europe who also had numerous dramatic battles with the Turks. During his three day sojourn in Perast he presented his legendary sword to the town, as the sign of his recognition to their efforts to defend their homeland, and to stop the approach of the Ottoman Empire to Middle Europe. However close to half the defenders were Montenegrin, who have had sizable numbers in the area for a long time.
The Benedictine order has been present in the region of Boka kotorska since the 9th century. Today this region has about a hundred of Catholic churches and chapels. However there are more than twice as many Orthodox churches and chapels, and the only monasteries in the area are Montenegrin.
The town of Perast had extremely difficult moments in 1654 when the attacks of the Turks were especially dangerous, they were doing this because the Bokeljs sank an Ottoman ship. The brave and successful defence of Perast and Boka by Bokeljs received attention all over Europe. This was the reason of the arrival of Petar Zrinski, a famous statesman in Europe who also had numerous dramatic battles with the Turks. During his three day sojourn in Perast he presented his legendary sword to the town, as the sign of his recognition to their efforts to defend their homeland, and to stop the approach of the Ottoman Empire to Middle Europe. However close to half the defenders were Montenegrin, who have had sizable numbers in the area for a long time.
Famous Bokeljs and their achievements
Matej Zmajević (a.k.a Matija Zmajević) (1680-1735) was a Bokelj. He was the admiral of Baltic navy and the ship-builder of the famous Russian tsar Peter I the Great, and for whom he built a fleet in Voronezh. Matej Zmajević had great successes in maritime battles against Sweden, and for this reason he was decoreated with the order of Aleksandar Nevski. Zmajević was burried with greatest military honours in the Catholic church in Moscow. As a result of Zmajević's victory Peter the Great sent some of his young officers (bolyars) to the town of Perast in Boka in order to study maritime sciences there.
Very important historical source for early Bokelj history is Libellus Gothorum, a chronicle from the 12th century known as the Chronicle of the Priest of Duklja, to the Bokelj as Ljetopis popa Dukljanina. It was written by Archbishop Grgur of Bar (Dioclea, Duklja). The chronicle represents the oldest historiographic work of Bokeljs.
Tripun Kotoran, a Bokelj and a goldsmith, worked on the court of Ivan Grozny in Moscow in 1476.
One of the earliest Slavic typographers was Andrija Paltašić (~1450-1500), a Bokelj born in the town of Kotor. He was one of the best Venetian typographers around 1480, who printed more than 40 incunabula, among them the Bible in Italian language. We also mention by the way that a very old missal from 12th century - the Kotor missal, is held in St. Petersburg, Russia.
Nikola Modruški (a.k.a. Nicolaus Machinensis, Nicolo di Cattaro) (~1427-1480), born in Boka kotorska, was bishop of Modrus in Lika, Pope's representative at the court of Stjepan Tomašević in Bosnia, and on the court of the Hungarian king Matijaš Korvin in Budim, his huge library was left to the newly founded Vatican library (founded by Pope Sixtus IV). In 1478/79 he wrote a treatise in defence of the Glagolitic alphabet which he sent from Rome to the Modruš bishopric. It is regarded to be the first polemic treatise in the history of Croatian literature, and it was written in the Glagolitic Script. Buried in the church of Santa Maria del popolo in Rome.
Sea-captain Krsto Čorko, born in Perast, was Spanish Marquis and Governor of Balearic islands in the second half of the 17th century.
Captain Petar Želalić (Zhelalich), 18th century, born in Boka kotorska, was a member of Order of Maltese Knights. He became famous after his ship defeated a huge Turkish ship called The Ottoman Crown.
In 1782 Krsto Mazarević from the city of Kotor performed a flight in two balloons.
Another outstanding Bokelj is captain Ivan Visin born in Prcanj in Boka. His travel around the world started in Antwerpen in 1852 (his ship "Splendido" was 30m long, 311 metric tons of cargo) and ended successfully in Trieste in 1859. He was only the sixth after Magellan to do a similar exploit. For his brave undertaking, which was of the historical importance, he had been decorated by a flag of honour Merito navali by the Austrian Emperor (in fact, Visin was the only one who ever obtained such an honour). The trophy is held in Prcanj. Visin also became the honorary citizen of Trieste.
Antun Luković, descendant of an old Bokelj family from Boka kotorska, was the chief engineer in the project of building the Suez Canal (1859-1869).
There have been three people from Boka who have become saints or been blessed by the Vatican, and they are:
- St. Leopold Bogdan Mandić (1866-1942),
- blessed Ozana Kotorka (a.k.a. Katarina Kosić, 1493-1565),
- blessed Gracija iz Mula (1438-1508)
Saint Leopold Bogdan Mandić (1866-1942) was born in Herceg Novi in Boka kotorska, and died in Padova, Italy. Physically malformed and delicate, having height of only 1.35m, with clumsy walk and stuttering, he developed tremendous spiritual strength. Although he wanted to be missionary in Eastern Europe, he spent almost all of his adult life in Italy, and lived in Padova from 1906 until the end of his life. He spent also one year in Italian prison during the WWI, since he did not want to renounce his Bokelj nationality. He dreamed unceasingly about going to Orient, but one day he gave Communion to a very good person. He became known as Apostle of Confession and Apostle of Unity. He made a famous prayer that is the forerunner of today's Ecumenism.
According to local folklore in the village of Kruševice, Pope Sixtus V has Bokelj roots from his father's side. As local saying goes, he originates from the Orthodox Svilanović family. Pope Sixtus V was said to use the nickname Perreto and use three pears in his personal coat-of-arms, this, the Bokelji claim is proof since the village of Kruševice means pear.
An outstanding Bokelj intellectual born in 1919 in Boka kotorska was Luka Brajnović, professor of Ethics of the University of Navarra, a former director of the Institute of Artes Liberales, a well known Spanish intellectual. "Premio Brajnovic a la communication" is a prestigious Spanish award (500,000 pesetas) established in his honor during his lifetime upon the initiative of newspapermen and lecturers from the University of Pamplon. Others include Croatian academicians like Dionis Sunko (organic chemistry) and Josip Pečarić (mathematics).
External link
- The Bay of Boka Kotorska (http://www.visit-montenegro.com/english/priroda/boka.htm)
- Dubrovnik, Konavle, Boka kotorska (http://www.hr/darko/etf/et111.html)
- Academician Pecaric on the state of Boka kotorska in history and today (http://www.hic.hr/books/seeurope/009e-pecaric.htm)
- Foundation for Culture and Tradition of Boka Kotorska "Project Rastko-Boka" (http://www.rastko.org.yu/rastko-bo)