Essey: Heritage to be proud of...
I am Serbian!
Throughout the history, the currents of migration and conflict have torn the Balkan Peninsula. The Romans fought numerous barbarian tribes over the grassy plains of what once used to be the Panonian Sea. The Byzantine Empire considered the Balkan Peninsula one of its vital parts. Muhammad II saw it as a spring board for conquering Europe. The woods, the fields, the rivers, and the rich sources of metals and minerals made the Balkan Peninsula a desirable piece of land to many powerful and power-thirsty men.
It is not well known that Serbia was also an independent and thriving monarchy from the 10th to the end of the 14th century. The dynasty of Nemanjic founded a sound state that proceeded to the status of an empire by 1346. If one looks at the histories of other nations, one can see that there were not many "golden forks and spoons" at that time, but Serbian court has lived a sophisticated life. From the line of Nemanjic also came Sv. Sava, The Enlightener (Prosvetitelj), who dedicated his life to educating and spiritualizing the peoples of the Balkans. His work has received its praise through many legends and poems. Even today, the Day of Sv. Sava is celebrated across the country as the day of education and many schools' birthday. Shortly after the death of Czar Dusan Veliki, the Ottomans conquered the empire. Five centuries of slavery followed. A legend states that Muhammad II, while taking his last breath told his successor, Bayazit, to be "good to the people and the people will serve (you) well." Unfortunately, Bayazit quickly forgot these words.
The memories of Ottoman rule still live their infamous life. The people of Serbia and neighboring provinces were taxed over all limits, leaving the country impoverished. Certainly most infamous was the "tax in blood" (danak u krvi). The Ottoman tax collectors would go across the country gathering children up to the age of 12, who would be taken to the capital and trained as a special division of Turkish soldiers - Janjicari. Only the perfectly healthy boys were taken. Shocking as it is, many mothers had found it less painful to cut off a son's finger than to have their sons taken away for eternity. The most known Janjicar was Mehmed (Muhammad) Pasha Sokolovic, who climbed high in Ottoman hierarchy and was one of the most lenient rulers Serbia has witnessed under Turkish rule.
One would think that the people would live peacefully once Serbia had finally won independence from the Ottoman Empire. The years following the Turkish rule were the time when the young and inexperienced rulers would strive to achieve balance of power and duty. However, by the time they were ready to rule, a dynasty would be overthrown and a new person would take the crown. The World Wars of the 19th century found the Balkans a very attractive place - both times the land was left devastated by invasions and battles for freedom. One popular song from the early 80's describes the Balkans very truthfully with only a few words:
"This here is Balkan,
a land of dreams
And every fifty years or so
another war sprouts out." (Bajaga)
The almost constant conflicts of many nations on such a small piece of land harmed all areas of life. Not even today have we found our peace.
The valleys and mountains of Serbia were granted wonderful riches by nature. Bor, Trepca, Kostolac are only some of the mines that have been providing coal, regular and precious metals to the industry. Danube, one of the Europe's mightiest rivers, has two hydroelectric power dams that have been supplying electricity to homes, schools, hospitals and other institutions across the country for more than thirty years. Clear lakes and snow-covered mountains are still among the most beautiful scenery I ever witnessed.
However, it is not for the long and rich history, or the natural wealth and resources that give the meaning to being Serbian. The history changes, and what is beneficial in one moment may become hazardous in a split second. The many conflicts within my lifetime, taught me not to trust anything material to be long-lasting. The world has seen, and not only in Yugoslavia, that very few aspects of modern life last forever. Destruction, for various reasons, alters the courses of our lives across a wide spectrum. The status of one day does not guarantee safety and security for tomorrow.
The modern media has turned Serbian people into atrocious creatures. Many news reporters have pushed all people of Serbian origin into one bin, and labeled it with "ethnic cleansing, mass murders, rapes..." However, an average man who lives in Serbia is a mechanic, a doctor or a father before an assassin. An average woman is rather an administrator, a professor or a mother than a criminal. People in towns and villages live with particular closeness, and one who has never done harm to them can count on many helpful hands if need be.
The only aspect of life that cannot be changed by life's forceful thrusts is what we hold inside. The continuity of one's thoughts and the integrity of one's character is what holds as a stone wall against the will of time and life. I am not proud of what the current regime has done, or of what the world thinks of us. I am proud of how I was brought up and of the values I was taught. I am proud of how my people have celebrated the good times and how they managed to survive the bad times. It is the endurance and the strength, the spirit and the vigor of an average Serbian that makes me proud when I say: "I am Serbian."
JNZ
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©1999 Serbian National Defense Council of America - contact: editor@snd-us.com
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