Serb clans

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English translations of terms 'Pleme' and 'Bratstvo' is very inconsistent, varying from source to source ^[1], therefore references to clans and tribes should be treated as only approximate.

Contents 1 Terminology 2 History 3 A list of tribes and clans 3.1 Montenegrin tribes and clans 3.2 Highland tribes and clans 3.3 Tribes and clans of East Herzegovina 3.4 Tribes and clans of the Coastland 3.5 Dispersed ancestral clans and tribes 4 References 4.1 General references

[edit] Terminology

Tribe (Serbian: pleme, plural: plemena) is a traditional territorial and political unit in Montenegro^[2]. Plemena enjoyed especially large autonomy in the period from the second part of 15th century till the middle of 19th century. Some authors ^[3] trace down the independence of plemena to the privilegies Ivan Crnojević granted them. However, it is little plausible that the organisations did not exist before. In 1853 Danilo II Petrović Njegoš was elected the first secular ruler of modern Montenegro (Becoming Knjaz (Prince) Danilo I), the role of the central state was gradually increased and plemena lost their political independence as well as influence. Since at least the early 20th century territorial subdivision of Montenegro does not reflect territories of plemena.

Clan (Serbian:bratstvo, plural: bratstva) is a patrilineal kin group in Montenegro. Bratstvo counts its descendance from a particular male (but sometimes - female) ancestor. Names of bratstva are derived either from the first name or nickname or profession of the ancestor. Some authors speculate that ancestry of the oldest bratstva goes down to old pre-Slavic Illyrians ^[4]. During time a bratstvo can split in smaller subdivisions and acquire a separate name. Surnames of contemporary Montenegrins most usually reflect these subdivisions of a larger bratstvo. Bratstvo is supposed to share the same blood and therefore marriage inside one bratstvo is in most cases prohibited regardless of the biological distance between the would-be spouses. Montenegrin families tend to guard their family/bratstvo history and many are able to recite the line of ancestors to the originator of the bratstvo.

Although it is sometimes suggested that plemena consist of bratstva, relationship between pleme and bratstvo is loose. At times of autonomy of plemena, bratstva usually lived concentrated in the same place for long time and therefore formed a part of the pleme. Different bratstva living on the territory of one pleme were usually not related to each other. A new bratstvo could be established (and often was) if a stranger seeked a refuge (usually because of conflict with Ottoman authorities or because of a blood feud) on the territory of a pleme. Local military force of a pleme consisted of units composed on the basis of local bratstva. Bratstvo is a kin group, but pleme - territorial one. Today representatives of different bratstva are dispersed not only throughout Montenegro but also globally. While bratstvo membership has remained comparatively important, membership to a pleme is becoming less and less important.

Organisational principles similar to bratstvo and pleme in Montenegro are also characteristic for Serbs in Herzegovina and Albanians who live on the territory of contemporary Montenegro and neighbouring areas.

[edit] History

The Montenegrin clans were an important institution in Montenegro throughout its modern history and state creation. Every tribe had its Chief, and they collectively composed a "Gathering" (Serbian: Zbor). The elders remained influential political figures up to the incorporation of Montenegro into the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes (Later - Kingdom of Yugoslavia) in 1918. Before the collective unification of Montenegro under the House of Petrović-Njegoš, the Gathering of the Elders was the sole governing body in Montenegro. In 1904 Prince Nikola Petrović reordered Montenegro into "captainies", each organized on a tribal level. Every nahija (compare with Nahiya) had its own Elder (from the corresponding tribe). The tribal assemblies were attended regularly by all grown men from the corresponding clan. The "General Montenegrin Assembly" was the highest political body and a mediator between the Montenegrin people and the Ottoman authorities. It was composed of chiefs of all tribes in Montenegro.

[edit] A list of tribes and clans

Jovan Cvijić (1865 - 1927) has enlisted 21 plemena on the territory of the Old Montenegro, 7 plemena in the Highlands, 16 in (then) Herzegovina and 2 on the Montenegrin coast. The list below contains also many groups which should be classified as bratstva. Note that the territory of contemporary Montenegro consists of several historic regions (Old Montenegro, Highlands and the Coast) as well as territories that were added to Montenegro comparatively recently (e.g., parts of what used to be Austrian Herzegovina). Old Montenegro in turn used to be divided into four districts (nahija). None of these regions and districts are reflected in official territorial division of contemporary Montenegro.

[edit] Montenegrin tribes and clans

• Katunska nahija (Katun province)
  • Njeguši
  • Crnojević
  • Ćeklići
  • Čevo (Ozrinići, Kčevo)
    • Velestovo
  • Cuce
  • Komani
  • Cetinje
    • Bajice
    • Donji Kraj
    • Očinići
    • Ugnje
  • Zagarač
  • Pješivci

• Lješanska nahija
  • Drazevina
  • Gradac
  • Buronje

• Riječka nahija
  • Ljuboten
  • Dobrsko Selo
  • Kosjeri
  • Ceklin
  • Građani

• Crmnička nahija (Crmnica)
  • Podgor
  • Sotonići
  • Dupilo
  • Brčeli
  • Gluhi Do
  • Limljani
  • Boljevići

[edit] Highland tribes and clans

• Bjelopavlići
  • Djonovići
  • Đurovići
  • Kalezići
  • Pavićevići
  • Raspopovići
  • Kovačevići
  • Pavkovići
  • Vražegrmci
  • Martinići
  • Petrušinovići
• Piperi
  • Crnci
  • Đurkoviči
  • Stijena
• Bratonožići
• Kuči
  • Staro-Kuči
  • Zatrijebač (partly-Albanian);
• Rovca (Upper and lower)
  • Bulatovići
  • Šćepanovići
  • Vlahovići
• Morača
  • Upper Morača (Gornja Morača)
  • Lower Morača (Donja Morača)
• Vasojevići
  • Šekular

[edit] Tribes and clans of East Herzegovina

• Grahovo
• Rudine
  • Bijele Nikšićke Rudine
  • Oputne Rudine
    • Bilećke Rudine
  • Banjani
• Lukovo
• Nikšićka Župa
• Gornje Polje
• Drobnjaci
  • Uskoci
  • Jezera
  • Korito Drobnjačko
• Šaranci
• Piva
  • Planina
  • Župa
• Gačko
  • Gornje Gačko (Golija i Duga)
  • Donje Gačko
• Župci

[edit] Tribes and clans of the Coastland

• Sutorina
• Kruševice
• Krtole
• Grbalj
• Paštrovići
• Maine
• Pobori
• Bra(j)ići
• Mrko(je)vići

[edit] Dispersed ancestral clans and tribes

As corporate groups below mentioned used to exist in history and some people still trace their descent from them.

• Maleševci
• Predojevići
• Trebješani (Nikšići)
• Ljubibratici
• Miloradovići-Hrabreni
• Ugrenovići
• Bobani
• Pilatovci
• Mrđenovići

[edit] References

1. ^ See discussion page
2. ^ Some plemena are commonly referred to as Herzegovinian, which refers to the fact that in 19th century they belonged to Austrian Herzegovina. Today the territory belongs to Montenegro
3. ^ Fleming, Thomas (2002). Montenegro: the Divided Land. Rockford, Illinois: Chronicles Press
4. ^ Boehm, Cristopher (1984). Blood Revenge. The Enactment and Management of Conflict in Montenegro and Other Tribal Societies. Pennsylvania: University of Pennsylvania Press

[edit] General references

• Podjela u podlovćenskoj Crnoj Gori
• Montenegrin clans