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Banjani ( sr-cyrl, Бањани) was a
tribe The term tribe is used in many different contexts to refer to a category of human social group. The predominant worldwide usage of the term in English language, English is in the discipline of anthropology. This definition is contested, in p ...
of
Old Herzegovina Old Herzegovina ( sr, Стара Херцеговина, Stara Hercegovina) is a historical region, covering the eastern parts of historical Herzegovina, outside the scope of modern Herzegovina. A large section of ''Old Herzegovina'' belongs to ...
, and historical region in western
Montenegro ) , image_map = Europe-Montenegro.svg , map_caption = , image_map2 = , capital = Podgorica , coordinates = , largest_city = capital , official_languages = M ...
. Its territory comprises , west of
Nikšić Nikšić ( cnr, Никшић, italic=no, sr-cyrl, Никшић, italic=no; ), is the second largest city in Montenegro, with a total population of 56,970 located in the west of the country, in the centre of the spacious Nikšić field at the foot ...
, in the centre between
Nikšić Nikšić ( cnr, Никшић, italic=no, sr-cyrl, Никшић, italic=no; ), is the second largest city in Montenegro, with a total population of 56,970 located in the west of the country, in the centre of the spacious Nikšić field at the foot ...
and
Bileća Bileća ( sr-cyrl, Билећа) is a town and municipality located in Republika Srpska, an entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina. As of 2013, the town has a population of 7,476 inhabitants, while the municipality has 10,807 inhabitants. History ...
, from the top of Njegoš mountain to the
Trebišnjica The Trebišnjica ( sr-cyrl, Требишњица) is a river in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It used to be a sinking river, long above the ground. With a total length of above and under the ground, it is one of the longest sinking rivers in the world ...
river, and on to the
Bileća Lake Bileća ( sr-cyrl, Билећа) is a town and municipality located in Republika Srpska, an entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina. As of 2013, the town has a population of 7,476 inhabitants, while the municipality has 10,807 inhabitants. History ...
. All Banjani families have ''Jovanjdan'' ( St. John's feast day, January 20) as their ''
slava Slava may refer to: Ships * ''Slava'' class cruiser, a modern Russian warship ** Soviet cruiser Slava (1979), now Russian cruiser ''Moskva'', a ''Slava'' class guided missile cruiser sunk during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine * Russian ba ...
'' (a Serbian Orthodox tradition).


Geography

The Banjani is located between 42 degrees, 45 minutes and 43 degrees north latitude, and lies 18 degrees east of the
Greenwich meridian The historic prime meridian or Greenwich meridian is a geographical reference line that passes through the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, Royal Observatory, Greenwich, in London, England. The modern IERS Reference Meridian widely used today ...
, between 30 and 46 minutes. Petrovići village with its direct surroundings (coastal Trebišnjica) is called the Lower Banjani. This is the lowest section of the tribe and descends below 400 meters above sea level. The rest of the tribe is called the Upper Banjani, the villages of which range from 800 to 1,100 meters above sea level. The
Jelovica Jelovica () is a karst plateau in northwestern Slovenia. It is the easternmost part of the Julian Alps and is overgrown by spruce forest. Partisan Peak ( sl, Partizanski vrh), originally known as Mount Kotlič, located on the southern part of the ...
peaks rise between 1,100 and 1,280 meters above sea level. The peaks of Mt. Somina and Mt. Bratogošt both exceed this height. The highest peak of Njegoš is Ravna Glavica (flat head), which rises 1,721 meters above sea level. In the central part of the tribal territory is a small town named Velimlje, at the very edge of Velimlje field, a
karst Karst is a topography formed from the dissolution of soluble rocks such as limestone, dolomite, and gypsum. It is characterized by underground drainage systems with sinkholes and caves. It has also been documented for more weathering-resistant ro ...
field of three to four square kilometers, with its lowest section just under 800 meters above sea level, ending in a funnel-like recess, where it once flowed into the distant sea. This territory is of heavy karst, with lower and higher elevations covered with layers of
limestone Limestone ( calcium carbonate ) is a type of carbonate sedimentary rock which is the main source of the material lime. It is composed mostly of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of . Limestone forms whe ...
and
dolomite Dolomite may refer to: *Dolomite (mineral), a carbonate mineral *Dolomite (rock), also known as dolostone, a sedimentary carbonate rock *Dolomite, Alabama, United States, an unincorporated community *Dolomite, California, United States, an unincor ...
rocks. A small area of
arable land Arable land (from the la, arabilis, "able to be ploughed") is any land capable of being ploughed and used to grow crops.''Oxford English Dictionary'', "arable, ''adj''. and ''n.''" Oxford University Press (Oxford), 2013. Alternatively, for the ...
is located in depressions and on
terraced In agriculture, a terrace is a piece of sloped plane that has been cut into a series of successively receding flat surfaces or platforms, which resemble steps, for the purposes of more effective farming. This type of landscaping is therefore ...
surfaces. This land base provides scant vegetation, with rain falling in the vegetative period from May to September, and surface water is almost nonexistent. Thin springs Jama Matovića, and Tupanjska river and springs flow to Mt. Njegoš. Through the neighborhoods of Upper Banjani flow Kruška (Pear), Crni Kuk (Black Hip), and Sopot flows through the Lower Banjani. Weak springs, called pištet or bučalina, named Zaboj, flow through Mokri Do, in a village Dubočke, providing a small, relatively insignificant seasonal water flow. Another weak spring (pištet) named Hercegove Luke flows to Mt. Somina. The people of this region make pools where rainwater can collect. Karst terrains, especially heavy karst area such as the Banjani, are affected by accelerated erosion processes that also adversely affect the wildlife, as well as the population itself. In ancient times, this area received scarce water, which affected the soil complexes, flora and fauna. Below Mt. Njegos, the Tupanjska river flows through the village of Riječani. The current Velimlje field was likely under water in ancient times and, during modern times, this area has been flooded by autumn rains. The Banjani coastal area around the river of Trebišnjica (today Bileca Lake) has a mild climate due to the influence of the
Mediterranean The Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by the Mediterranean Basin and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Western and Southern Europe and Anatolia, on the south by North Africa, and on the e ...
sun. The main part of the tribe's territory has a temperate continental climate, while the only mountain of this region has a
mountain climate Alpine climate is the typical weather (climate) for elevations above the tree line, where trees fail to grow due to cold. This climate is also referred to as a mountain climate or highland climate. Definition There are multiple definitions of ...
. The tribal territory experiences fairly uniform annual distributions and amounts of rainfall.


History

The first written mention of the Banjani is in 1319. Some scholars argued that the name could derive from ''balnea'' (sr. ''banja''), which means "bath" or "spa". According to oral tradition, the tribal name comes from Banjska in
Kosovo Kosovo ( sq, Kosova or ; sr-Cyrl, Косово ), officially the Republic of Kosovo ( sq, Republika e Kosovës, links=no; sr, Република Косово, Republika Kosovo, links=no), is a partially recognised state in Southeast Euro ...
from where they migrated. Sir
Arthur Evans Sir Arthur John Evans (8 July 1851 – 11 July 1941) was a British archaeologist and pioneer in the study of Aegean civilization in the Bronze Age. He is most famous for unearthing the palace of Knossos on the Greek island of Crete. Based on t ...
noted that the Banjani were mentioned as
Serbs The Serbs ( sr-Cyr, Срби, Srbi, ) are the most numerous South Slavic ethnic group native to the Balkans in Southeastern Europe, who share a common Serbian ancestry, culture, history and language. The majority of Serbs live in their na ...
in
Herzegovina Herzegovina ( or ; sh-Latn-Cyrl, Hercegovina, separator=" / ", Херцеговина, ) is the southern and smaller of two main geographical region of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the other being Bosnia. It has never had strictly defined geogra ...
and Montenegro of the Middle Ages in
Ragusan Ragusan may refer to: * citizen of the Republic of Ragusa hr, Sloboda se ne prodaje za sve zlato svijeta it, La libertà non si vende nemmeno per tutto l'oro del mondo"Liberty is not sold for all the gold in the world" , population_estimate ...
reports and Serbian
chrysobulls A golden bull or chrysobull was a decree issued by Byzantine Emperors and later by monarchs in Europe during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, most notably by the Holy Roman Emperors. The term was originally coined for the golden seal (a '' bul ...
. In Herzegovina were situated on the territory of Jezera and Piva. At the end of 14th century ''katunar'' (head of the tribe) was Jurek Junaković, later Herak Draženović of Radovan (1412), a certain Nenad (1432), and so on. Initially vassals of Pavlović (1430), in 1444 and 1463 they were recorded as vassals of
Stjepan Vukčić Kosača Stjepan Vukčić Kosača ( sr-Cyrl, Стјепан Вукчић Косача; 1404–1466) was the most powerful Bosnian nobleman whose active political career spanned the last three decades of medieval Bosnian history, from 1435 to 1465. D ...
. They are mentioned in mid-15th century documents from the
Bay of Kotor The Bay of Kotor ( Montenegrin and Serbian: , Italian: ), also known as the Boka, is a winding bay of the Adriatic Sea in southwestern Montenegro and the region of Montenegro concentrated around the bay. It is also the southernmost part of the hi ...
. At the time of the Ottoman occupation in 1466, the Banjani became part of southeastern
Sanjak of Herzegovina The Sanjak of Herzegovina ( tr, Hersek Sancağı; sh, Hercegovački sandžak) was an Ottoman administrative unit established in 1470. The seat was in Foča until 1572 when it was moved to Taşlıca (Pljevlja). The sanjak was initially part of ...
. During occupation many Vlachs, including from Banjani, collaborated with the Ottomans as slave agents. In Jovan Radonjić's letter from 1789. to Queen Catherine II. in asking for support from Empress of Russia for the Serbs from different tribes and regions, Banjani were also included.Vukčević 1981, p. 46 Vujovic 1987, p. 172, quote=1788. год. пише Иван Радоњић, црногорски губернатор, руској царици Катарини II.: „Сада ми сви Срби Црногорци молимо вашу царску милост да пошљете к нама књаза Софронија Југовића“." 1789. год. пише опет Иван Радоњић, црногорски губернатор, руској царици: „Сад ми сви Срби из Црне Горе, Херцеговине, Бањана, Дробњака, Куча, Пипера, Бjeлопавлића, Зете, Климената, Васојевића, Братоножића, Пећи, Косова, Призрена, Арбаније, Маћедоније припадамо вашему величанству и молимо, да као милостива наша мајка пошљете к нама књаза Софронија Југовића


Geography

The Banjani are central to the area between Nikšić and Bileća, from the top of Njegoš mountain, where the ancestors of the Petrović-Njegoš lived in the Muževice village (and who, as a merchant family, came from
Zenica Zenica ( ; ; ) is a city in Bosnia and Herzegovina and an administrative and economic center of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina's Zenica-Doboj Canton. It is located in the Bosna (river), Bosna river valley, about north of Sarajevo. Th ...
in Bosnia), to the Trebišnjica and Bileća Lake area. The surface area of the Banjani's territory is about 380 square kilometers, contiguous with other Montenegrin tribes: Golija to the north, Trepačke Rudine to the east, Grahovo to the south, and west to the state border of the
Republika Srpska Republika Srpska ( sr-Cyrl, Република Српска, lit=Serb Republic, also known as Republic of Srpska, ) is one of the two Political divisions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, entities of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the other being the Feder ...
in Bosnia and Herzegovina (the Oputne Rudine region). In the past, the tribal borders to the south and east were different. The tribe bordering on Riđani was another Vlach tribe-clan that assimilated or migrated at the end of the 17th century, then formed two new clans: Grahovo and Trepačke Rudine. The newly formed tribes extended to the territory of the Banjani. Mountain ranges, Mt. Njegoš and Mt. Somina form a natural border to the north. Brekovac, Bratogošt, and Tisovac extend down to Trebišnjica and Bilećko Lake from the northwest to the southwest border. he southern and eastern boundaries of Banjani travel over hilly terrain, with no major natural barriers.


Banjani society

Banjani is a little-explored area of significant prehistoric and turbulent history. A
Neanderthal Neanderthals (, also ''Homo neanderthalensis'' and erroneously ''Homo sapiens neanderthalensis''), also written as Neandertals, are an extinct species or subspecies of archaic humans who lived in Eurasia until about 40,000 years ago. While th ...
tooth and
millstone Millstones or mill stones are stones used in gristmills, for grinding wheat or other grains. They are sometimes referred to as grindstones or grinding stones. Millstones come in pairs: a convex stationary base known as the ''bedstone'' and ...
were found at the Crvena stijena (red rock), archaeological site in the Lower Banjani, dating the earliest inhabitants of this territory to the
Paleolithic The Paleolithic or Palaeolithic (), also called the Old Stone Age (from Greek: παλαιός ''palaios'', "old" and λίθος ''lithos'', "stone"), is a period in human prehistory that is distinguished by the original development of stone too ...
,
Neolithic The Neolithic period, or New Stone Age, is an Old World archaeological period and the final division of the Stone Age. It saw the Neolithic Revolution, a wide-ranging set of developments that appear to have arisen independently in several parts ...
and bronze periods. A number of ruins and piles (or barrows) testify to the end of the people of the territory prior to their taking on some of the urban characteristics of the
Bronze Bronze is an alloy consisting primarily of copper, commonly with about 12–12.5% tin and often with the addition of other metals (including aluminium, manganese, nickel, or zinc) and sometimes non-metals, such as phosphorus, or metalloids such ...
and
Iron Age The Iron Age is the final epoch of the three-age division of the prehistory and protohistory of humanity. It was preceded by the Stone Age (Paleolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic) and the Bronze Age (Chalcolithic). The concept has been mostly appl ...
s. The history of this territory began with the Romans whose routes took them through the current Banjani territory. The important Roman roads passed by the Banjani village of Riječani on their way to Duklja and Skadar, where the Romans built forts. The Slavs in this region, and its wider environment, settled in the first half of the seventh century, pushing the sparse
Roman Roman or Romans most often refers to: *Rome, the capital city of Italy *Ancient Rome, Roman civilization from 8th century BC to 5th century AD *Roman people, the people of ancient Rome *''Epistle to the Romans'', shortened to ''Romans'', a letter ...
and
Illyria In classical antiquity, Illyria (; grc, Ἰλλυρία, ''Illyría'' or , ''Illyrís''; la, Illyria, ''Illyricum'') was a region in the western part of the Balkan Peninsula inhabited by numerous tribes of people collectively known as the Illyr ...
n populations of the mountain crags. The Slavs quickly built a state system, and appointed local leaders. In the early Middle Ages (around the eighth or ninth century), the government system became a banovina (principality) and belonged to the parish Onogošt. The various parishes joined to form an Onogošt Podgorje area (called ''Submontana'' in Latin), which belonged to the Kingdom of Duklja. Duklja (Zeta) became part of Raska (Serbia) around the 1180s. Banjani became a part of Raska (therefore Nemanjic state) and, less than two centuries later, became part of Bosnia, which fell to the Turks in 1466. This territory was probably composed of smaller administrative units (banovina) in the early Slavic period. One micro-location in the Banjani territory was called ''Banova stolica'' ("the ban throne"), still recognized by the stone seat on which it is believed that a ban convened meetings at the time. Later, in the time of the Turks and their administration, the area became a ''nahija'' (Turkish administrative unit), probably because it had attained a certain autonomy, which even during the Turkish administration became organized as a tribe with tribal representatives. According to
ethnologists Ethnology (from the grc-gre, ἔθνος, meaning 'nation') is an academic field that compares and analyzes the characteristics of different peoples and the relationships between them (compare cultural, social, or sociocultural anthropology). ...
, the basic cell for the development of the tribe was the ''katun''. The semi-nomadic people bred cattle in the summer on the mountain in the summer pasture and in the winter in the rural village on the bay. These cattle were inherited from
Vlachs "Vlach" ( or ), also "Wallachian" (and many other variants), is a historical term and exonym used from the Middle Ages until the Modern Era to designate mainly Romanians but also Aromanians, Megleno-Romanians, Istro-Romanians and other Easter ...
, Romans, Illyrians and other Balkan natives. One pasture would serve about 20 houses, and families were headed by ''katunar''. From the 16th century, a community of more neighboring pastures, often allied and linked together, made up the tribe led by the duke. An important role in the survival of the tribe at the time of the Turks was played by the priesthood, trying to maintain the people fully into
Orthodoxy Orthodoxy (from Greek: ) is adherence to correct or accepted creeds, especially in religion. Orthodoxy within Christianity refers to acceptance of the doctrines defined by various creeds and ecumenical councils in Antiquity, but different Churc ...
. This was facilitated by the proximity to Old Montenegro, organized tribal communities, and Cetinje, Kotor, Dubrovnik and Venice, cities that have had economic and political ties with this region. The first Banjani duke came from the Petrovic. They were related to the later Montenegrin dynasty Petrovic-Njegoš. Duke Ivan Petrovic was a contemporary of Duke Grdan Niksic. Petrovići lived in the Lower Banjani, in a village named Petrovići, from whom are descended some of today's Banjani clans: Kneževići, Popovici and Pejovići. Of these, the Popović clan lived in the village Trepcha, near of the Nikšić. From the mid-17th to mid-18th century, the Matovic clan from the Banjani village Prigradina gave away the duchy (no longer referred to by the Banjani as duke). The chief prince of the village Klenak, Mulina Peter was succeeded by the duchy of the Matović clan from Prigradina, which has become hereditary. The next prince was the son of Peter, Baćo, and then Vasilj Baćov, who took the name of the father (Baćović), who stabilized the tribe and area for his descendants. He succeeded his son Jovan (John) Baćović, who gained the title of Duke. He was killed in battle for liberation from the Turks in 1862 in Banjani, and his successor, Duke Maksim Baćović, died in 1876. The duchy was then transferred to Maksim's uncle, Simo. In addition to Duke, Banjani had the
Serdar Serdar may refer to * Serdar (given name) * Serdar (surname) * SERDAR, a stabilized remote-controlled Ukrainian weapon station * Serdar (city) in Turkmenistan, the capital of Serdar District * Serdar (Ottoman rank), a military and noble rank of t ...
title (a high rank of nobility). The most prominent leader of the Banjani during the first half of the 19th century was Rade Bozov Miljanić and his son, the Banjani hero Miljanić Djoko, who received the title of Serdar. With his last name Miljanić, he added his father's name Radović, and was given the tribal name of Banjanin. The last Serdar tribe was Marko Đokov Radovic-Miljanić. The Komnenović is an old and very powerful clan in Banjani. They built a church at Tupan in the early 17th century. They ruled a large part of the territory of the Banjani and had a summer pasture in
Durmitor Durmitor ( Montenegrin: Дурмитор, or ) is a massif located in northwestern Montenegro. It is part of the Dinaric Alps. Its highest peak, Bobotov Kuk, reaches a height of . The massif is limited by the Tara River Canyon on the north, the ...
. Gambelići, or Milovići, is also known as an old Banjani house. Ognjenović also had tribal leaders during the 18th and 19th centuries. Koprivica is an old Banjani clan and the largest in the tribe for the last two centuries. They are the most famous house in the priesthood of Banjani. The priests served the tribe for more than five centuries. From the Koprivica clan came the Serbian patriarch Arsenije IV Jovanović Šakabenta. The Koprivica clan led the priest caste, and Miljanić clan, as the most heroic, led the warrior caste in Banjani. Banjani territory on the border of Montenegro was liberated from the Turks in 1878, and the tribe has become one of Montenegro's largest provinces, named Kapetanija ("captaincy"), with the ''kapetan'' ("captain", a governor) at the helm. The first ''kapetan'' of the freed Banjani was Gišan Radović-Miljanić, who briefly managed the community, before disagreements with Prince Nikola I led to its inheritance of Ćetko Pejov Eraković. Ćetko was succeeded by his nephew Jevto Pejovic-Eraković. In the Interwar period and after World War II, the Banjani district became the municipality of Niksic, and presidents of municipalities have been from a number of Banjani clans. Since 1960, the Banjani have been without municipal status, but have become part of the large municipality of Niksic.


Anthropology

The patron saint feast day (''
slava Slava may refer to: Ships * ''Slava'' class cruiser, a modern Russian warship ** Soviet cruiser Slava (1979), now Russian cruiser ''Moskva'', a ''Slava'' class guided missile cruiser sunk during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine * Russian ba ...
'') of the Banjani is St. John the Baptist (''Jovanjdan''), January 20, although there are clans who do not celebrate it. The meeting place was Kruška, where they held the clan assembly and made important decisions. Some words are kept in the monastery Kosijerevo, mostly those of wider significance. Slavs absorbed the remnants of Roman and Romanized population. The region's inhabitants, as the rest of the
Dinaric Alps The Dinaric Alps (), also Dinarides, are a mountain range in Southern and Southcentral Europe, separating the continental Balkan Peninsula from the Adriatic Sea. They stretch from Italy in the northwest through Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herz ...
, has been historically defined as being of the
Dinaric race The Dinaric race, also known as the Adriatic race, were terms used by certain physical anthropology, physical anthropologists in the early to mid-20th century to describe the perceived predominant phenotype of the contemporary ethnic groups of s ...
. It is said that roughly half of the population descends from native peoples, which are known to have lived in Banjani for at least four centuries. The tribe of
Mataruge The Mataruge (alternatively, Mataruga or Motoruga) were a medieval Albanian tribe which originally lived in Old Herzegovina and southern Dalmatia. Their name is attested in historical record for the first time in 1222 in the Pelješac peninsula o ...
lived in the region prior to the 14th century, and at least some of the families may descend from this tribe. Some sources maintain that Banjani was dispersed in the second half of the 15th century, during the Ottoman conquest. Those older Banjani were settled in western Bosnia, and then further, by the Ottomans as part of their campaigns. Banjani was resettled with refugees from other Serbian regions, from which the majority of inhabitants descend from. These families formed brotherhoods which constituted the tribe of Banjani beginning in the 16th century. Ethnographical works show that migration waves came from modern-day southern
Serbia Serbia (, ; Serbian language, Serbian: , , ), officially the Republic of Serbia (Serbian language, Serbian: , , ), is a landlocked country in Southeast Europe, Southeastern and Central Europe, situated at the crossroads of the Pannonian Bas ...
(including
Kosovo Kosovo ( sq, Kosova or ; sr-Cyrl, Косово ), officially the Republic of Kosovo ( sq, Republika e Kosovës, links=no; sr, Република Косово, Republika Kosovo, links=no), is a partially recognised state in Southeast Euro ...
), North Macedonia,
Bosnia Bosnia and Herzegovina ( sh, / , ), abbreviated BiH () or B&H, sometimes called Bosnia–Herzegovina and often known informally as Bosnia, is a country at the crossroads of south and southeast Europe, located in the Balkans. Bosnia and He ...
, and the regions of Brda and
Old Montenegro Old Montenegro ( sr, Стара Црна Гора, Stara Crna Gora), also known as Montenegro proper ( sr, Права Црна Гора, Prava Crna Gora), or True Montenegro ( sr, Истинска Црна Гора, Istinska Crna Gora), is a ...
in what is now Montenegro. Montenegrin tribes often originate from a common ancestor, as is the example with other tribe-clans, however, this is not the case with Banjani. For example, the Miljanić clan is known to have originated from Miljan who, with his father Milisav and other brothers Bijele and Mrko (from whom arise the Bijelović and Mrkajić clans), came from Velestovo (Čevo), in the middle of the 16th century, from the Old Montenegrin tribe Ozrinići, located in Katunska nahija, in the old Montenegro. Velimlje is the only village in Banjani that in the late 19th century acquired the status of town. It existed as a clerical-trade settlement until 1960, when it lost the status of the municipal center, which became the local city hall. Banjani villages currently include Klenak, Koprivice, Macavare, Milovići, Miljanići, Petrovići, Prigradina, Riječani, Tupan. Each of these villages has a number of villages or small groups of houses, which can be extracted as a separate village. For example, the village Miljanići includes five villages: Dubočke, Birač, Muževice, Rusenovići, and Jelovica, as well as their central settlement, Miljanići. Koprivica also consists of several villages: Renovac, Šake, Čista Vlaka, Crni Kuk, and Šljeme. In the last two centuries, the Banjani have had about 40 clans. For some time, the clans disappeared from the tribe, their male descendants shrinking until the clans were gone, although they contributed to the frequent emigration from the passive lands. In the last half century, some of the Banjani families have shifted to nearby towns, and no longer live in the tribe, though they retain their property. Some have emerged from one of two clans, as a branch of a clan officially declared a "special clan". A small part of the descendants of the Miljanić clan, in the late 19th century, were called Radovići. Velimlje built up as a small town, and developed systems of education and transport. They are considered outsiders, and are not considered Banjani. However, if three generations have lived in the tribe, they feel they should be considered as Banjani as the other clans. Banjani families include Antović, Baćović, Bijelović, Bakoč, Vasiljević, Gligović, Draganić, Djurković, Drašković, Elezović, Eraković, Zečević, Jovović, Kapetinić, Kecojević, Kilibarda, Prince, Kovač, Kokotović, Komnenović, Koprivica, Kosanović, Kosović, Krivokapić, Krušić, Lazarević, Avlijaš, Lučić, Manojlović, Marković, Matović, Milović, Milošević, Miljanić, Mirković, Mićović, Mišković, Mrkajić, Nikolić, Ognjenović, Orbović, Papić, Pejović, Perović, Popović, Radojević, Radović, Rupar, Sarić and Tomašević.


Clans and families

The Banjani are a somewhat complex tribe. The Koprivica and Miljanic family clans have large landed property in the tribe with its clan church and a cemetery. They have shared the glory of the old tradition for over four-and-one-half centuries, and at least 17 generations. The families of the Banjani clan, by the villages they inhabit, are: *Crkvice - Tomaševići *Crni Kuk, Čista Vlaka, Šake, Renovac - Koprivice, Rupari *Dolovi - Erakovići, Kilibarde *Dubočke, Birač -
Miljanić Miljanić is a South Slavic surname. Notable people with the name include: * Ana Miljanić (born 1982), Serbian athlete and politician * Dijana Miljanić (born 1997), Montenegrin football player * Miljan Miljanić (1930–2012), Yugoslav and Se ...
i, Milovići *Dukat - Erakovići, Kilibarde *Jelovica - Miljanići *Klenak - Orbovići, Antovići, Baćovići, Đurkovići, Komnenovići, Lučići, Tomaševići, Zečevići *Koprivice, Cerovica - Koprivice, Elezovići, Ognjenovići, Pejovići, Rupari *Macavare - Mirkovići, Perovići *Miljanići - Miljanići *Muževice - Miljanići *Petrovići - Janičići, Kneževići, Mrkajići, Pejovići, Popovići, Vasiljevići, Draganići, Kovači *Podljut - Bijelovići, Đurkovići, Elezovići, Milovići, Radojevići *Prigradina - Matovići, Mićovići, Krušići *Riječani - Andrijaševići, Kilibarde, Nikolići *Rusenovići - Ognjenovići, Miljanići *Tupan (Upper and Lower) - Bakoči, Erakovići, Kilibarde, Sarići *Velimlje – Papići, Radojevići,
Lazarević Lazarević ( sr-Cyrl, Лазаревић) is a South Slavic surname derived from a masculine given name '' Lazar''. It may refer to: *Branko Lazarević (born 1984), Serbian football player * Dejan Lazarević (footballer) (born 1990), Slovenian pr ...
i


Cultural heritage

The cultural heritage of Banjani includes a variety of subjects and objects created by the human hand, which sought to perpetuate spirituality. The millstone of the Crvena Stijena (red rock) dating from the Bronze Age is a well-known monument. Heritage values are those of the ancient water, ublovi, which has provided more space to Banjani, and dates back to antiquity, but were built later. Traces of circular stone structures on the tops of some hills, so-called forts, are scattered throughout Banjani, and date from the late Bronze and early Iron Ages. Ancient graves line old roads through Banjani and its environment. Science have dated them from the early Iron Age, but some may date from an earlier period, and many of them have survived. Some are big stone hills, four or five meters high, and perhaps more in diameter on the ground, and 100 meters across. Their purpose is defined to memorialize the ancestral grave-tribal leader and ancient Balkan epihors, and
Enchelii The Enchelei were an ancient people that lived around the region of Lake Shkodra and Lake Ohrid,Strabo, Geography (ed. H.C. Hamilton, Esq., W. Falconer, M.A.), book 7, chapter 7: "...had established their sway, and Enchelii, who are also called Se ...
, usually attributed to the Illyrians. Graveyards in neighboring Herzegovina show that each of them has at least one grave, facing in different directions, whereas larger graveyards house more graves. Beside skeletons were found bronze and iron objects, such as weapons of warriors, women and jewelry. In this region, a few characters are written in stone, written by human hand in the distant past, in addition to signs that the hand of a man entered the lines or in rocks formed by nature. Archaeologists have found a Latin inscription in stones in the village of Riječani (castrum Saltua) from Roman times.


Monuments

Many of the medieval churches were destroyed during Ottoman rule. Only some of them were restored and rebuilt during the restoration of the
Serbian Patriarchate of Peć The Serbian Patriarchate of Peć ( sr, Српска патријаршија у Пећи, ''Srpska patrijaršija u Peći'') or just Patriarchate of Peć ( sr, Пећка патријаршија, ''Pećka patrijaršija''), was an autocephaly, a ...
, forming the basis of some medieval churches, such as Kosijerevo, a 14th-century Serbian Orthodox monastery. Today, not a single church or monastery remains from the Middle Ages. There is the possibility that the later churches, or at least some of them, were built on medieval foundations. *The Church of St. Sava in Prigradina village, hamlet Počivala, was a painted church during the restoration of the Patriarchate of Peć, during the early 17th century. It is the oldest church in the tribe and was raised at the time of the Nemanjić dynasty. The second story was raised by the founder of clan Matović and Krušić, who was captured in Kosovo who as an Islamized man, gave money for its construction. At the time, the Turks were protected, and there was a secret entrance for the Orthodox faithful. This temple may have been built on the foundations of a medieval church. The church is now under state protection, mainly because of the paintings. *The Church of Archangel Michael is also in Prigradina, near the town Velimlje. The significance of this church is that it has the status of a cathedral. Built in 1867, it has murals and is built on the foundations of an earlier temple, about which little is known. *Medieval holy Church St. John the Baptist, in Petrovići, Drijenak hamlet, is the mausoleum of the dukes in the second half of the 15th century. In it was buried Duke Cvjetko Banjanin and his son Duke Grban Cvjetković Banjanin. *The Church of the Archangel Michael, in the village Petrovići, Stražnica hamlet, dates from the late 16th century, painted in 1605, that at the time of Duke Banjani was Ivan Petrovic and the family temple of Petrović. *The Church of St. John the Baptist, in Klenje, 3 km from Velimlje, was built by the Miljanić clan at the beginning of 17th century. *The Church of St. Ilija in the Petrovići region is an old church, dating from the early 17th century, and was raised by the Mrkajići clan. There are many "clan churches" in Banjani. Generally, the higher or related clans have their common church. The Komnenović, Koprivica and Miljanić clans have their own church. Some clans also share churches, such as the Mirković and Perović, and the Eraković and Kilibarda, as well as other related clans. Banjani are known for their tombstones, ''
stećak Stećak (, ) or Stećci in plural form (, ) is the name for monumental medieval tombstones, that lie scattered across Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the border parts of Croatia, Montenegro and Serbia. An estimated 60,000 are found within the border ...
'', mainly dating to the 14th century. At several locations, monuments were built on earlier cemeteries.


Foundation

The Banjani has feelings for the common good and contributes to special occasions part of his wealth for what is the significance of the public good. On Tupan, one of the Banjani villages, part of a field is called the church grounds. There are innumerable examples that people have invested their goods for reconstruction (or raising) of churches, schools, orphanages, roads, and libraries, assisting the single, orphans, and the poor. Legends say that some Islamized men of Banjani helped the village from which they originated. Zaim, an Islamized man by the Zečević clan, gave money to his relatives in building a water supply, which is named after him and Zaimovača. Water at the Velimlje named "Vladičina voda" (Bishop's water) was built with the help of money provided by Hadži Sava Kosanović, a Banjani native, the Bishop of Sarajevo, who clashed with occupation measures in Bosnia and Herzegovina conducted Benjamin Kalaj. Velimlje hospital was founded by professor of medicine of Belgrade University Dr. Niko Miljanić, from Banjani. Aljo Radojevic has provided money to build sewers in Velimljsko Prisoje, to help maintain the livestock in the area. Stanislav-Ćano Koprivica was raised a small factory in Velimlje, which employed about 30 workers, but, unfortunately, closed down during the war in Yugoslavia in 1991.


Diaspora

Banjani for centuries has been a lively area of immigration-emigration. Many of the famous Serbian families and individuals originated from these tribes. Banjani settled in Valjevo (Serbia), where there is a village named Banjani near Ub and
Brankovina Brankovina ( sr, Бранковина) is a village in the municipality of Valjevo, Kolubara District in the north of Valjevo about 12 km. According to the census of 2002, there were 573 people (according to the census of 1991, there were 52 ...
. The origin of this tribe from the clan Miljanić are the family Nenadović (Duke
Aleksa Nenadović Aleksa Nenadović (1749 Brankovina, Valjevo, Serbia — 4 February 1804, Valjevo, Serbia) was ober knyaz of Tamnava—Posavina district of Valjevo nahiyah of the Belgrade Pashaluk. Family Aleksa Nenadović was member of Nenadović family from Va ...
, priest Mateja Nenadovic, Duke
Jakov Nenadović Jakov Nenadović ( sr-cyr, Јаков Ненадовић; 1765 – 1836) was a Serbian voivode and politician who served as the prime minister of Serbia from 31 December 1810 to 22 January 1811. He was the first Serbian interior minister. Nenadov ...
, and writer Ljuba Nenadović), national hero
Ilija Birčanin Ilija Birčanin ( sr-cyr, Илија Бирчанин; 12 August 1764 – 4 January 1804) was a Serbian '' knez'' (Prince) who was killed during the '' Slaughter of the Dukes'', the incident that sparked the First Serbian Uprising of the Serbian R ...
, and Lazarevic (priest Luka Lazarevic). Part of the Miljanić clan settled over areas in
Croatia , image_flag = Flag of Croatia.svg , image_coat = Coat of arms of Croatia.svg , anthem = "Lijepa naša domovino"("Our Beautiful Homeland") , image_map = , map_caption = , capit ...
, such as Mihanići village near
Dubrovnik Dubrovnik (), historically known as Ragusa (; see notes on naming), is a city on the Adriatic Sea in the region of Dalmatia, in the southeastern semi-exclave of Croatia. It is one of the most prominent tourist destinations in the Mediterran ...
,
Škabrnja Škabrnja is a village in northern Dalmatia, Croatia, located halfway between Zadar and Benkovac in the lowland region of Ravni Kotari. Its municipality is also called Škabrnja, and it includes Škabrnja with a population of 1,413 as well as the ...
and
Kruševo Kruševo ( mk, Крушево ; rup, Crushuva "Crușuva") is a town in North Macedonia. In Macedonian the name means the 'place of pear trees'. It is the highest town in North Macedonia and one of the highest in the Balkans, situated at an alti ...
villages near
Šibenik Šibenik () is a historic city in Croatia, located in central Dalmatia, where the river Krka flows into the Adriatic Sea. Šibenik is a political, educational, transport, industrial and tourist center of Šibenik-Knin County, and is also the ...
, Golubić village near
Knin Knin (, sr, link=no, Книн, it, link=no, Tenin) is a city in the Šibenik-Knin County of Croatia, located in the Dalmatian hinterland near the source of the river Krka, an important traffic junction on the rail and road routes between Zagr ...
, and
Pisarovina Pisarovina is a municipality in Croatia in the Zagreb County. According to the 2001 Croatian census, 2001 census, there are 3,697 inhabitants, absolute majority which are Croats. Settlements * Bratina * Bregana Pisarovinska * Donja Kupčina * Dvo ...
village near
Zagreb Zagreb ( , , , ) is the capital (political), capital and List of cities and towns in Croatia#List of cities and towns, largest city of Croatia. It is in the Northern Croatia, northwest of the country, along the Sava river, at the southern slop ...
. They also emigrated, with other Banjani, to Argentina (Buenos Aires and Chaco province), the U.S. (Washington D.C., New York, Chicago, Minnesota, Montana, California and Alaska), Canada (Toronto and Vancouver), and
Vojvodina Vojvodina ( sr-Cyrl, Војводина}), officially the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, is an autonomous province that occupies the northernmost part of Serbia. It lies within the Pannonian Basin, bordered to the south by the national capital ...
, the northern region of Serbia (
Novi Sad Novi Sad ( sr-Cyrl, Нови Сад, ; hu, Újvidék, ; german: Neusatz; see below for other names) is the second largest city in Serbia and the capital of the autonomous province of Vojvodina. It is located in the southern portion of the Pan ...
, Vrbas, Kula,
Lovćenac hu, Szeghegygerman: Sekitsch , native_name = , nickname = , settlement_type = List of populated places in Serbia, Village (village#Slavic countries, Selo) , motto = , image_skyline ...
, and
Crvenka Crvenka () is a small town located in the municipality of Kula in the West Bačka District, Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, Serbia. The town has a Serbian ethnic majority, and it had a population of 9,001 in 2011. Name In Serbian, th ...
).


Notable people

;born in Banjani *
Novak Kilibarda Novak Kilibarda, PhD ( cyrl, Новак Килибарда; born 7 January 1934) is a Montenegro, Montenegrin former politician, professor, literary historian and writer. Early life and education Kilibarda was born on 7 January 1934 in the villag ...
, Montenegrin politician and writer, born in Banjani * Božo Koprivica, Montenegrin and Yugoslav essayist and literary critic, born in Nikšić *
Radmila Miljanić-Petrović Radmila Petrović née Miljanić, (born 19 April 1988) is a retired Montenegrin handball player. She played for ŽRK Budućnost Podgorica and the Montenegrin national team, and participated at the 2011 World Women's Handball Championship in Bra ...
, Montenegrin handball player, born in Nikšić * Mirko Kovač, Yugoslav writer, born in Petrovići *
Vida Ognjenović Vida Ognjenović ( sr-cyr, Вида Огњеновић, ; born 14 August 1941) is a Serbian theater director, playwright, writer, drama professor and diplomat. Biography Ognjenović completed primary education in the town of Vrbas, before going ...
, Serbian playwright, writer and diplomat, born in Dubočke *
Krsto Papić Krsto Papić (7 December 1933 – 7 February 2013) was a Croatian screenwriter and film director whose career spanned over five decades. He is generally considered among the best directors of former Yugoslavia and the only director from Croatia th ...
, Montenegrin film director and screenwriter, born in Vučji Do ;by descent * Miljan Miljanić, Yugoslav footballer, coach and administrator, family from Banjani *
Arsenije IV Jovanović Šakabenta Arsenije IV Jovanović Šakabenta ( sr-cyr, Арсеније IV Јовановић Шакабента, ; 1698 – 18 January 1748) was the Archbishop of Peć and Serbian Patriarch from 1725 to 1737 and Head of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Habsbu ...
, Serbian Patriarch, by paternal descent *
Ilija Birčanin Ilija Birčanin ( sr-cyr, Илија Бирчанин; 12 August 1764 – 4 January 1804) was a Serbian '' knez'' (Prince) who was killed during the '' Slaughter of the Dukes'', the incident that sparked the First Serbian Uprising of the Serbian R ...
, Serbian duke, by paternal descent *
Aleksa Nenadović Aleksa Nenadović (1749 Brankovina, Valjevo, Serbia — 4 February 1804, Valjevo, Serbia) was ober knyaz of Tamnava—Posavina district of Valjevo nahiyah of the Belgrade Pashaluk. Family Aleksa Nenadović was member of Nenadović family from Va ...
, Serbian duke, by paternal descent *
Jakov Nenadović Jakov Nenadović ( sr-cyr, Јаков Ненадовић; 1765 – 1836) was a Serbian voivode and politician who served as the prime minister of Serbia from 31 December 1810 to 22 January 1811. He was the first Serbian interior minister. Nenadov ...
, one of the leaders of the First Serbian Uprising and first Serbian Minister of Interior, younger brother of Aleksa *
Petar Baćović Petar Baćović ( sh-Cyrl, Петар Баћовић; 1898 – April 1945) was a Bosnian Serb Chetnik commander ( sh-Latn, vojvoda, sh-Cyrl, војвода) within occupied Yugoslavia during World War II. From the summer of 1941 until April ...
, Montenegrin Chetnik, by paternal descent *
Jorge Capitanich Jorge Milton Capitanich (born November 28, 1964) is an Argentine politician, businessman, and accountant who became Governor of Chaco Province in 2019, having held the position before from 2007 to 2013 and then from February to December 2015. A m ...
, Argentine politician, by paternal descent * Niko Miljanić, Serbian anatomist and surgeon, born in Cetinje *
Slaviša Koprivica Slaviša "Slavko" Koprivica ( sr-Cyrl, Славиша "Славко" Копривица, born 17 June 1968) is a retired Serbian professional basketball player. He played at both the power forward and center positions. Professional career While p ...
, former Serbian basketball player, by paternal descent


See also

*
Vlachs in medieval Bosnia and Herzegovina Vlachs in Bosnia and Herzegovina are a Balkans, Balkan population who descend from Romanization (cultural), Romanized Illyrians (Illyro-Romans), Thracians (Thraco-Romans) and other pre-Slavs, Slavic Romance language, Romance-speaking peoples and th ...
*
Montenegrin clans The tribes of Montenegro ( Montenegrin and sr, племена Црне Горе / ''plemena Crne Gore'') or Montenegrin tribes (Montenegrin and sr, црногорска племена, link=no / ''crnogorska plemena'') were historical tribes in t ...


References


Sources

* * * Momčilo S. Mićović: Mićovići iz Banjana u svom vremenu, Beograd, 2001. * Momčilo S. Mićović: Prigradina u vremenu i prostoru, Beograd 2007 * Svetozar Tomić: Banjani, Beograd, SANU, 1949. * Slobodan Raičević: Spomenici u staroj župi Onogošt, Beograd, 1992. *Dimitrije-Dimo Vujovic, Prilozi izucavanju crnogorskog nacionalnog pitanja /The Research of the Montenegrin Nationality/ (Niksic: Univerzitetska rijec, 1987), p. 172. {{Authority control Nikšić Regions of Montenegro Tribes of Montenegro Vlachs in the history of Bosnia and Herzegovina Serbs of Bosnia and Herzegovina