Is it possible for Serbs from Bosnia and Herzegovina to somehow change their identity, even if it takes decades for it?
Posted by zanimljivo123@reddit | AskBalkans | View on Reddit | 104 comments
I don't know if you get me but, if they could somehow *distance* themselves from serbian identity, history, culture? What could be an effective method to achieve this goal? In my opinion, de-nationalization could start with changing a three colour flag into something else, removing all symbols with connection to serbia including 4C, double headed eagle and such. Also, minimizing the use of cyrillic alphabet and slowly prioritizing latinic alphabet, over time making it the only official alphabet in republika srpska.
No_Designer_8203@reddit
Is it possible for Bosniac muslims to come to reason and understand that they're Serbs regardless of religion, that they speak Serbian language and their ancestors were Serbs? Even if takes decades or centuries to do it?
zanimljivo123@reddit (OP)
What's your point? How are you sure they were serbs? I recently found out about "vlachs" who adopted orthdoox christianity as their religion and lster started associating with serbs. Apparently, we are those vlachs and real serbs actually never lived here. The problem is that vlach is for most people here a great insult
Imaginary_String_814@reddit
lmaooo you can just lay off ur serbian identity and become bosniak, like many bosniaks ancestors did. They are a very young and modern ethnicity. Maybe you would fit in better over there seeing that you support every Bosniak position from an political standpoint.
people are not as gullible as you think
zanimljivo123@reddit (OP)
I do not support bosnian muslims and that's not what i want, i just want us to completely distance ourselves from our serbian heritage, but it seems impossible to accomolish
Imaginary_String_814@reddit
You coincidentally just support all their political ambitions, I think you would feel among them, u support the same political ambitions and hate Serbs.
That’s impossible and borderline sick, our collective identity is the serbian heritage.
Bosnian Serbs are only separated due to geopolitical circumstances but they were always the same people.
zanimljivo123@reddit (OP)
Okay then, be overshadowed by someone else if you want to. I don't care
No_Designer_8203@reddit
Wow
zanimljivo123@reddit (OP)
Wow what?
No_Designer_8203@reddit
Nothing, just taking to myself. One more time - holy wow!
Ujemegaz@reddit
Yes, it is possible.
zanimljivo123@reddit (OP)
How to achieve it?
Ujemegaz@reddit
You could start with Alexander the Great.
zanimljivo123@reddit (OP)
What???
Ujemegaz@reddit
Place a statue in Sarajevo 😜
zanimljivo123@reddit (OP)
Hahahah good idea, but for real we need to start something on our own
Imaginary_String_814@reddit
Nope, would make 0 sense.
You should spent ur free time with something progressive instead of this self hate.
zanimljivo123@reddit (OP)
It's not self hate
Imaginary_String_814@reddit
It is
zanimljivo123@reddit (OP)
How?
Vajdugaa@reddit
The only reason Republika Srpska exists is because of support from Serbia. Otherwise you would be minority in Bosnia. Go on do that, i would like to see how you survive without us.
zanimljivo123@reddit (OP)
We would just fine without you. It's not like you're our life support or something, we are a functional state on our own
Vajdugaa@reddit
Republika Srpska exists because Serbia signed the Dayton Agreement as a formal guarantor, not as a favor, but as a co-creator of the framework that established its autonomy. Without Serbia's signature alongside Croatia and Bosnia, there would be no legal basis for you as an entity. Serbia is the sole guarantee of your autonomy. Without us, you wouldn't even have this right now, nor the geopolitical backing to keep Dayton alive which the other side is not fond of. The Dayton framework that gives you autonomy requires guarantor states to maintain it. We're that guarantor. The other side wants to revise Dayton to reduce your autonomy, and they're open about it."
zanimljivo123@reddit (OP)
Look what you have gotten us into. Now we are basically legally trapped because of that signature. Tell me is it possible for someone else to be guarantee of our autonomy?
Vajdugaa@reddit
Only the ones that signed the Daytons, unless all sides agrees its time for a change (whether that's revision or abolition of Dayton or breakup of country) and under approval of International community.
Realistically, no one replaces Serbia. We're the only neighboring state with direct interest in keeping RS alive. So instead of looking for a way out, maybe focus on making the current arrangement work for both of us.
Tired_clock410@reddit
Why would that happen ?
Why do you want to know that ?
Sorry ,but this question gives me some let's say it politely -weird vibe.
No_Designer_8203@reddit
He doesn't like Serbs.
zanimljivo123@reddit (OP)
I am a serb
No_Designer_8203@reddit
I doubt that.
zanimljivo123@reddit (OP)
Mogu da ti dokazem bez problema
No_Designer_8203@reddit
Ne treba, buraz. Vlasi, morovlasi. Znam sve. Budi mi dobar.
Far-Active-649@reddit
OP je bukv broj jedan glas za nezavisnu RS na r/srpska tako da mislim malo kenjas
No_Designer_8203@reddit
Ne bih rekao da je tako.
zanimljivo123@reddit (OP)
Ustvari ona je u pravu
No_Designer_8203@reddit
U stvari...
zanimljivo123@reddit (OP)
Eh?
Tired_clock410@reddit
Yup ,seems like it
zanimljivo123@reddit (OP)
Yes, he is right
amazingamy19@reddit
Last time he asked should Sandžak declare independence from Serbia.
zanimljivo123@reddit (OP)
So what? Is that a problem?
amazingamy19@reddit
Me thinks you are.
zanimljivo123@reddit (OP)
Why would i be a problem?
zanimljivo123@reddit (OP)
I understand that it sounds really weird but i wish for it to happen altough chance is basically zero.
Tired_clock410@reddit
Be careful , it's really dangerous way of thinking.
See what Hitler did in some occupied countries, what Americans did to Indians etc.
shqiptarski1444@reddit
Why would they? Do you think they would start identifying as “Bosnian”?
zanimljivo123@reddit (OP)
I think we need to find something to unite about, we need to let go of our serbian heritage and form a new nation and identity
Unable-Stay-6478@reddit
Ask Milo Đukanović. He successfully did that with a portion of people in Montenegro.
zanimljivo123@reddit (OP)
We need a man like him for this task
New_Accident_4909@reddit
As a Serb from that region no, Bosniaks had far less national identity in Yugoslavia and they still kept their identity.
Why the fuck do you think it would go differently for Serbs who are nationalistic in general?
zanimljivo123@reddit (OP)
I am not sure but i wish it could be like that, it would be much more prosperous for us don't you agree?
Darkwrath93@reddit
It would be better if Bosniaks became Serbs and joined Serbia. We would be even more prosperous. Do you see it now?
zanimljivo123@reddit (OP)
No i do not
Unable-Stay-6478@reddit
Same reason people failed to turn into Yugoslavs.
New_Accident_4909@reddit
Sure let's go back 50 years in the past and all be Yugoslav? No? Didn't think so.
zanimljivo123@reddit (OP)
That's made up ethnicity
New_Accident_4909@reddit
Every nation is made up, main Slavic tribes that settled western Balkans were Serbs and Croats yet im not here telling you you made up your ethnicity.
A tiny hint for you:look how Itallian reunification went and how Itallian national identity was created.
CGMarko@reddit
I assume if people stop eating meat and start seeing a more purposeful vision of life and this world, the whole nationalistic worldview collapses.
Imaginary_String_814@reddit
zanimljivo123@reddit (OP)
That's exactly what happened to me. Reconnecting with God and nature opened my eyes.
StaGofu@reddit
Probably without any influence from serbia it would likely lead to closeness and familiarity with the bosniaks
New_Accident_4909@reddit
With all due respect, do you understand that we are the ones who commited warcrimes.
Serbia had at best secondary role, we have a lot ground to cover when it comes to reconciliation. Even if Serbia wanted to make sure people get along its not their cross to carry but ours.
StaGofu@reddit
Serbia then and now still is the puppeteer.They cried that srebrenica was announced as a genocide they cried more then the local serbs that did that.
New_Accident_4909@reddit
Its an election season
zanimljivo123@reddit (OP)
I am not sure. Bad blood from the war will stay. The problem is that serbian culture is so deeply ingrained into us i am afraid that we won't be able to cut ties with it any time soon
StaGofu@reddit
I ment in like a long time if the connection was severd with the rs serbs and the ones in serbia
DartVejder@reddit
Your question is absolutely ridiculous.
How it works is that citizens elect political parties that form the government and make the rules, in accordance with the constitution.
Citizens of RS elect parties that very much value Serb identity, culture and tradition, and practically all parties that run for the government keep this in mind.
No one would ever bother with that sort of a thing you're asking, as it would yield no results, making all the whole effort pointless.
They'd be barking up a wrong tree, or praying in the wrong church as we like to say.
Catman_192@reddit
Oh, you again with bait posts?
zanimljivo123@reddit (OP)
It's not bait post. And you remembered me, from where exactly?
Catman_192@reddit
When you posted "Would you support indenpendent Sandzhak?".
zanimljivo123@reddit (OP)
Ahhh, i guess that one was quite unforgetable for you hahah, sorry but i am an opportunist
Catman_192@reddit
Of course I remember that because you posted that few days ago. When I saw your username I was like, yeah he is definitely baiting. Few days ago you talked about Sandžak independence (which would involve Serbia), now you are talking about deleting serbian identity in Bosnia.
zanimljivo123@reddit (OP)
Yes and i do not see s problem with it. People are out there promoting wars, i am here just suggesting ideas that would be accomplished in peace. I guess my sandzak post hurt you but it is how it is, you gotta do what's the best for you
Catman_192@reddit
hahahaha, that one is funny. Ok, how would deleting serbian identity and independence of Sandžak accomplish peace? Objectively, it would cause even more tensions. And also I'm not nationalistic, I never posted about deleting croatian or bosniak identity in any specific region, I never posted about should some region get an independence. And about wars, last wars in Balkans happened back in 90's, while sadly it's true that nationalism didn't fade away, region is currently relatively stable in terms of potential wars, so there is no need for instant major change, especially not ones that you are suggesting. And one more thing, why would bait post even hurt me?
zanimljivo123@reddit (OP)
Not exactly peace but they could help with us gain indenpendence. If sandzak can be free from serbia we could use that card to pull our own indenpendence and change internstional geopolitical order. If we were to conpletely distance ourselves from our serbisn identitx it would be beneficial too.
Catman_192@reddit
You literally wrote in previous reply "People are out there promoting wars, i am here just suggesting ideas that would be accomplished in peace." and now you aren't even for peace? I think it's very obvious that you are baiting.
zanimljivo123@reddit (OP)
Dosta
Catman_192@reddit
Ok, I see, you lost every argument hahahaha. I have to admit, it was fun destroying baiters. See you again next time, if you post something like that again.
Fourteen14XIV@reddit
Sure it would be, some did so during WW2 and 90s. I'm pretty sure you are describing cultural genocide tho. Like, WTF is wrong with you?
zanimljivo123@reddit (OP)
What do you mean what is wrong with me? This is my wish and goal and it's not a cultural genocide if you do it to yourself
Fourteen14XIV@reddit
Wtf do you mean "do it yourself"? How the fuck do you not see how fucked up it is? Why would they do it themselves? What possible reason would you have to want this to happen?
zanimljivo123@reddit (OP)
I am a serb from bih that's what i meant. I am not a croat or bosnian muslim. You ask why, because i think we would prosper much more than by keeoing connections to serbia amd serbs, also our relationship is terrible so i would like to completely cut all ties beetwen us and for us to obtain new identity
Fourteen14XIV@reddit
Why the fuck do you think it would be a good idea?
zanimljivo123@reddit (OP)
I just said why. First of all relationship beetwen us and serbia is terrible and we don't have understanding or compassion for each other on personal level. On political level, kinda, but just because it benefits those on top. We have rich history but it gets overshadowed by serbian history that is imposed on us in our schools for example
Fourteen14XIV@reddit
I lost brain cells reading this. I dont know where to begin listing all the stuff wrong with this.
zanimljivo123@reddit (OP)
Start from the beggining. That usually works
Fourteen14XIV@reddit
The most coherent sentence you've written in this post.
zanimljivo123@reddit (OP)
So, start
Fourteen14XIV@reddit
Cant. It would be like explaining Earths rotations around the sun to someone who firmly believes Earth is a pizza.
happy_mood990@reddit
zanimljivo123@reddit (OP)
Ok?
No_Designer_8203@reddit
That means no.
zanimljivo123@reddit (OP)
How does that mean no?
No_Designer_8203@reddit
Nevermind.
zpetar@reddit
It's not just about Serbs. Huge part of Balkan without external influences I think we would became one nation long time ago. Just like Germany or Italy. Unfortunately territory of ex Yugoslavia was historically always influenced and contested by other historically great European powers and we were always to divided
casual_philosopher02@reddit
Are we really asking this in a sub full of nations that kept their identity even after hundreds of years under ottoman rule?
zanimljivo123@reddit (OP)
Yes?
casual_philosopher02@reddit
If it was that easy for national identity to change then Bosnia wouldn't exist in the first place
Big-Waltz5204@reddit
That's erasing someones identity, basically cultural genocide. Why would anyone wanna change anything, weird question. You could tell Bosniaks same, just stop being Muslim and move to Turkey. RS is defacto independant, nothing can really change that. BiH is a gordian knot that cannot be solved. Best would be just to roll the dice and make everyone change to same religion, whatever dice decides.
Only chance BiH has in long distance is to avoid further divide and nationalist tension in general and for civil institutions to mainly rule there. Kinda like Belgium or Lebanon, it exists but nobody really owns it.
zanimljivo123@reddit (OP)
It can't be a cultural genocide if you do it to yourself, no?
Big-Waltz5204@reddit
I don't know any example in history of peoples group that voluntarily changed their identity to something else. Well, maybe Macedonians.
Any kind of attempt to make Bosnian Serbs be more Bosnian would achieve exact opposite like it always happens when outside group is trying to impose things. Current status quo is prob best solution for now and probably in foreseable future too.
karaylo@reddit
Muslims in Serbia who live in sanjak call themselves Bosnians even though they were never part of Bosnia why would we Serbs in Bosnia melt into this newly composed artificial nationality ? If anything in few decades we may all be considered Europeans and part of federal states of Europe as republika srpska
zanimljivo123@reddit (OP)
I am not saying that we should integrate into this newly composed state and ethnicity, i am just saying that we need one of our own
PersimmonTall8157@reddit
Yes in the long term. Nationalism comes and goes in generation.
zanimljivo123@reddit (OP)
I hope it will come to that
Diligent_Rice6315@reddit
people can identify however they want. I’ve met plenty of Serbs from Bosnia that feel much closer to someone from Bosnia than someone from Serbia for example.