Book

Montenegrin social organization and values: political ethnography of a refuge area tribal adaptation

AMS Press (1) • Published In 1983 • Pages: iii, 181

By: Boehm, Christopher.

Abstract
The Montenegrins were never subjugated by the Ottoman Turks throughout the latter's occupation of the Balkans. How the Montenegrins, a segmentary tribal society, were able to maintain their autonomy against a powerful predatory state is the focus of this ethnohistorical study. Although the Montenegrins were fierce warriors living in a mountainous redoubt, they did not always choose to resist the Turks, but at times did enter into a tributary relationship with them. The decision when and when not to fight was based on a complex decision making process involving a set of some complimentary and some contradictory values: 'agnatic blood,' 'honor,' 'autonomy,' 'biological survival,' 'living well,' and 'social harmony.' These values applied to decision making at all levels of social organization, i.e., household, clan, tribe, and tribal confederations. The author shows how through these shared cultural values, and without centralized leadership, the Montenegrins were able to effectively respond to external forces in a way which insured their survival as a people over the centuries.
Subjects
Ethos
Social relationships and groups
Ethics
Kin groups
Informal in-group justice
External relations
culture
Montenegrins
HRAF PubDate
1997
Region
Europe
Sub Region
Southeastern Europe
Document Type
Book
Evaluation
Creator Type
Ethnologist
Document Rating
4: Excellent Secondary Data
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
Ian Skoggard ; 1996
Field Date
1964-1966
Coverage Date
1750-1850
Coverage Place
Serbia and Montenegro
Notes
Christopher Boehm
Includes bibliographical references (p. 162-172) and index
LCCN
77087156
LCSH
Montenegrins