Ottoman heritage: Strategies, topoi and agents

• Published in: Glasnik Etnografskog instituta Vol. 69; no. 1; pp. 7 - 17
• Main Author: Mandic, Marija
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Institute of Ethnography, SASA, Belgrade 2021
• Subjects: islam; muslims; orientalism; ottoman heritage; serbia
• ISSN: 0350-0861; 2334-8259
• DOI: 10.2298/GEI2101007M

In the first part of the introductory text, I present a theoretical framework that places the attitude towards the Ottoman heritage in a broader socio-cultural context. I distinguish between the two basic strategies in relation to the Ottoman heritage in the Balkan modern societies, and they are: de-Ottomanization (neglecting of Ottoman influences) and internalization. Furthermore, I point out that both strategies were created under the direct influence of the discursive practice of Orientalism, with which they share rhetoric and internal logic. Furthermore, I show, based on several examples of linguistic and cultural practices, how both strategies have been implemented in Serbia. In the second part, I present the papers in this thematic issue and identify the topics presented in it, namely: interreligious dialogue, negotiation of ethnic and religious affiliation in everyday life, religious conversion, inherited institutions of the Ottoman society and attitude towards them, (re)presentation of historical figures and events in literary narratives, Muslim religious organizations in the past and present. The thematic issue aims to contribute to academic dialogue in domestic and international context, in which strategies, topoi and actors related to the Ottoman heritage, Muslims and Islam are very current.