Origin and identity of the Macedonian people

[Hrvoje Vukčić Hrvatinić]

What's the origin of the Bunjevci and Šokci? How did they end up developing a separate identity from mainstream Croats?

Šokci are Croats from Bosnia Bunjevci from Herzegovina. They developed unique regional character because they lived among non-Croats (mostly Hungarians, Germans and Serbs).
They descend from people who fled BiH during Turkish conquest and settled in empty lands of Slavonia, Vojvodina and southern Hungary.

Than these identities started to form. They were living on their own surrounded by foreigners.
But there's big amount of both in Croatia itself and they still keep their traditions. Most are conservative and consider themself purer Croats than city folk.
I'm part Bosnian Šokac.

Šokac folk dances


Bunjevac

[Dna8]

@ Mingle

Given its history, the Balkans is full of complex identity structures (it just comes with the territory).

[Hrvoje Vukčić Hrvatinić]

Yeah forgot to say people identify Šokac culture with stereotypical Slavonia but not all Slavonians are Šokci, mostly those in East Slavonia.
Their clothes, especially jackets are unique and symbol of Croats living there. Take a look:






Like in folk music there's influence from Magyar neighbours.

I'd like to get one of these jackets, they are awesome.

[Mingle]

Šokci are Croats from Bosnia Bunjevci from Herzegovina. They developed unique regional character because they lived among non-Croats (mostly Hungarians, Germans and Serbs).

They descend from people who fled BiH during Turkish conquest and settled in empty lands of Slavonia, Vojvodina and southern Hungary.

Wasn't Herzegovina an Orthodox/Serb majority land prior to the Ottoman conquest? When/how did it become Catholic?

[Hrvoje Vukčić Hrvatinić]

Wasn't Herzegovina an Orthodox/Serb majority land prior to the Ottoman conquest? When/how did it become Catholic?

I don't think so, even in eastern Herzegovina theire is oldest Catholic diocese of entire BiH and it's older than any Orthodox remnants in the area

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_...Trebinje-Mrkan

Bunjevci are Ikavian speakers (Šokci also) which is exclusively Croatian dialect. I heard they come from around Buna river but not sure how real is that story. Maybe.

To tell the truth Herzegovina isn't such small land, there is clear distinction on eastern and western part. They have different dialects and genetics isn't the same also, even if very similar.

[Ayetooey]

East Herzegovina was part of Medival Serbia in the early 800s, including Trebinje. A Catholic Church built their in 984 doesn’t mean much especially this early in the nation building process.

[Hrvoje Vukčić Hrvatinić]

East Herzegovina was part of Medival Serbia in the early 800s, including Trebinje. A Catholic Church their doesn’t mean much especially this early in the nation building process.

Yeah, agree with that.

[Mingle]

...