Migration, integration and marriage practices among the Gorani

Jadranka, Đorđević-Crnobrnja

Glasnik Etnografskog instituta SANU

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http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/Article.aspx?ID=0350-08611803581D

2018-2020/03/24/16:45:01

For the most part, the Gorani enter ethnically homogenous marriages. Marrying into the same village is also a common practice. This village endogamy has continuously been present in the Gorani community for a longer period of time. Migration of population from the Gora region has been characteristic for the most of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st. Considering the fact that Gora is an area of intensive and populous emigration and that migrations can influence changes in the current practices of choosing the spouse, the issue of the relation between the Gorani migrations and ethnic homogamy/endogamy seems entirely relevant. This also stands true given that the majority of the informants endorse the practice of homogamous marriages, believing that it contributes to harmonious relations in the marriage and to practicing of the Gorani community’s cultural specificities. In this paper I am presenting and interpreting the practices of choosing marital partners among the Gorani living in Belgrade and Tutin from the second half of the 20th until the beginning of the 21st century. Based on the analysis of the empirical data and relevant literature I argue that migrations have not significantly influenced the practice of the selection of the spouse, as well as that ethnically homogamous marriages are not slowing down the process of integration. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. 177027: Multietnicitet, multikulturalnost, migracije - savremeni procesi]

Belgrade, migration, integration, ethnic homogamy/heterogamy, the Gorani, Tutin, village endogamy