Marko Miljanov
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Marko Miljanov Popović (April 25th 1833, Medun near Podgorica, Ottoman Empire – February 2nd 1901, Herceg Novi, Austria-Hungary), Serb writer from Montenegro and the leader of the Kuči clan.
Marko Miljanov Popović Kuč (as was his full name made of first name, patronymic, family name and the name of his clan) was born in a distinguished family in the village of Medun (ancient Meteon). Like all of his countrymen, in his youth he took part in attacks on Turks. In 1856 he came to the Montenegrin capital Cetinje and entered the service of prince Danilo in his guards unit called perjanici. For his bravery and successes in raids on Turkish territory and as a man of confidence, he was awarded in 1862 the position of judge and head of Bratonožići clan. For his work on unification of Kuči with Montenegro in 1874 he had a price set on his head by the Turks. The same year saw his appointment to the Montenegrin Senate (from 1879 transformed into a State Coucil). In the 1876-78 war against the Turks he victoriously commanded Montenegrin forces in battle of Fundine. After a fierce disagreement with prince Nikola in 1882 he had to leave the State Council and decided to retire from public to his native Medun.
Although he was 50 years old, Marko Miljanov, who was illiterate like the most of his countrymen, decided to learn to write. He explained his urge in a foreword to the lost manuscript of his epic songs with the words: “Dear Serb brother, if you had the chance to see the heroes that I have seen, your heart would give you no peace until you have responded to the heroes who die merrily for their own and rights of all of us”.
Contents |
[edit] Works
Marko Miljanov died before any of his works were published. His most important work is “The Examples of Humanity and Bravery” (Primjeri čojstva i junaštva, Belgrade 1901), a collection of true anecdotes depicting practical examples of achieved ethical ideal Montenegrins of his time strived for. His second published book “Kuči Clan in Folk Stories and Poems” (Pleme Kuči u narodnoj priči i pjesmi, Belgrade 1904) is collection of a historical and ethnographical data from folklore. He also had a high respect for Albanian Catholic tribes that were immediate neighbors of his tribe, Kuči; therefore his book: "Life and the Customs of Albanians" (Život i običaji Arbanasa, Belgrade 1908), describes and explains their daily life. He also wrote a number of epic poems in pure manner of contemporary epic folk songs.
[edit] Ethnicity
Recently there evolved a school of thought that wants to diminish Marko Miljanov as an ethnic Serb and a Serb writer. It is best to hear what he said himself.
In his letter of 25th December 1900 to his fellow Kuč Stojan Popović he concludes: “As a Kuč I die quite happy, while as a Serb unhappy and unsatisfied”.
In his book “Life and Customs of Albanians” he explains that he writes so that “so that the Serb could get familiar and close as much possible with customs of that people (…)”.
Miljanov writes that during the attack of prince Danilo on rebellious Kuči clan, the Kuči shouted unto prince Danilo’s forces assembled in Old Montenegro and Highlands (Brda) this: “Do not attack your Serb brother, o Montenegrin, may your cheek be black, as it is if you act so against your brother!”.
Marko Miljanov was a great Serb patriot and his national feelings he emphasized wherever he could in his stories and poems.
[edit] On His Beliefs
Marko Miljanov’s portrait was misused during the referendum on the state status of Montenegro by the pro-independence side when the word “Yes” (to independence) was put by his portrait. However, in one of his letters (to Novo Spasojev) Marko Miljanov could not be more specific on his wishes about Serbia, Montenegro and other Serb lands. He says: “Tell the Austrian envoy to inform his emperor, if god would let him go unto the good way, to unite Serbdom: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia and Old Serbia, to let it be a Serb Kingdom, and the Serbs will know how to be grateful to their savior (…)”.
[edit] Bibliography
J. Jovanović, Marko Miljanov, Cetinje 1952.
[edit] External links
[1] Some of Marko Miljanov's works and letters(in Serbian)
[2] Examples of Humanity and Bravery (in Serbian)
[3] Letter to Novo Spasojev (in Serbian)
