Vasojevici
Encyclopedia
The Vasojevići tribe is the largest Serb clan in Montenegro
. It occupies the area between Vjetarnih Lijeva Rijeka in the South and Bihor under Bijelo Polje
in the North, Mateševo
in the West to Plav
in the East. The clan (pleme, tribe) is one of seven "highland clans" (Vasojevići, Moračani, Rovčani
, Bratonožići, Kuči
, Piperi
and Bjelopavlići
). Vasojevići is also the name of the region inhabited by the Vasojevići.
Although the unofficial center is Andrijevica
in north-eastern Montenegro, the tribe stems from Lijeva Rijeka in central Montenegro. The tribe was formed by various tribes that were united under the rule of the central Vasojevic tribe. These tribes later migrated to the Komovi
mountains and the area of Lim
. The emigration continued into Serbia
and other parts of Montenegro
.
, dated 1444. Most of the clan's history prior to the 16th century has naturally been passed on through oral history
.
According to a folk myth, the founder of the clan was Vaso. According to one myth Vaso was a descendant of the Nemanjić Dynasty, which ruled the Serbian Grand Principality
, Kingdom and Empire
(1166-1371). Vaso's great grandfather was Stefan Konstantin
, the rival King, who was defeated by his half-brother Stefan Uroš III in 1322. Stefan Konstantin had a son, Stefan Vasoje, who was brought up at the court of Dušan the Mighty. Stefan Vasoje participated in the battles of Dušan, and when he had received sufficient experience, he was put by the Emperor as voivode at Sjenica
. Stefan Vasoje had a son, Stefan Konstantin II (1342-1389, known as Vojvoda Vasojević Stevo in folklore), who participated in the Battle of Kosovo (1389), where he died. The legend further alleges that Vaso, one of five sons of Stefan Konstantin II (all brothers are founders of clans), moved to Lijeva Rijeka.
However, the Vasojevici stem from different tribes, of no common kinship and ancestry, which were united under the rule of a central tribe that extended its name to the other clans.
Vaso's descendants gradually expanded to the north-east and inhabited the region by the river Lim
called Polimlje – the area around the Komovi mountains, Andrijevica
and Berane
Thus, they formed the largest tribe (pleme) of all seven highland clans of Montenegro (i.e. Vasojevići, Moračani, Rovčani
, Bratonožići, Kuči
, Piperi
and Bjelopavlići
). In modern Montenegro
the area of Vasojevići falls into following municipalities: Berane
, Podgorica
, Kolašin
, Plav
and Bijelo Polje
(around 15% of Montenegro
). One of the highest mountains of the modern day Montenegro
is named after the tribe: Kom Vasojevićki (2461 meteres) and the whole area inhabited by the clan is frequently called "Vasojevići" .
Part of the tribe that stayed free from the "Turkish occupation" lives in the area of Lijeva Rijeka and Andrijevica
(Upper Nahija) – they are all called Upper Vasojevići. Lower Vasojevici (or Lower Nahija) inhabited the area of Berane
. Most of the Lower Vasojevići were within the "Turkish reign" until Balkan Wars
in XX c.
Clan members were perceived as noblemen and rarely mingled with common folk – people who did not have a common ancestor. Vasojevići called them Ašani (earlier also Asa and Hasa) and today this term has come to denote Vasojevići of other origin.
In the 18th century the folklore of the tribe was influenced by the Orthodox millenarianism
that had developed during the mid Ottoman era. According to one such folk legend, an elder of the Vasojevići, Stanj, foretold Greek priests the advent of a Serbian messiah, a dark man (crni čovijek) who would liberate the Serbs from the Turks. These myths as part of the official Serbian Orthodox doctrine provided both a de facto recognition of Ottoman rule and the denial of its legitimacy.
During the Second World War, the Vasojevići were divided between the two armies of Serb Chetniks
(royalists
) and Yugoslav Partisans (communists) that were fighting each other (vojvoda Pavle Đurišić formed the most successful Chetnik units out of mainly Vasojevići). As a result the conflict spread within the tribal structures.
Though sense of clan affiliation diminished in recent years, is not a thing of a past. Clan's association and organizations still exist (e.g. Udruženje Vasojevića "Vaso"). It could be clearly seen during the Montenegrin independence referendum, 2006
with the Vasojevici united opposition (see below).
there were more than 3600 Vasojevići “houses” in Polimlje and Lijeva Rijeka. Many notable Serbs
(or people with Serbian roots, vide Milla Jovovich
) are Vasojevići by origin, e.g.:
Bora Djordjevic
after a referendum on the future of the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro. However, 72% of voters in Andrijevica
municipality, the unofficial centre of the Vasojevići region, voted against Montenegrin independence. It was the second highest result against breaking the state union with Serbia
(after Pluzine
municipality).
The People's Assembly of Vasojevići stated many times that, apart from being Montenegrin, all Vasojevići are Serb and, thus, strongly oppose and have always opposed Montenegrin secession from Yugoslavia
. The Montenegrin census of 2003 revealed that 89,81% of the Vasojevići declared themselves as Serb while 9,43% declared themselves as Montenegrin.
In the aftermath of the referendum some villages have been abandoned as Vasojevići have sold their houses and moved to Serbia.. Similar cases have been observed in other places of Montenegro
, however not in the same degree of organisation and ferocity as in the Vasojevići region
.
to show respect to ancestors by knowing precisely genealogy and the history of the tribe and a family. This also allows members of the clan to be unite, to act together and always to recognise kin.
In a book "Pleme Vasojevići" written in 1935, R. Vešović describes the structure of the Vasojevići. The list of families was exhausting when the book was completed but since then new families may have developed. Sometimes, with the very distant genealogy, slight variations of names, chronology and relationships exist concurrently but there is no doubt among the Vasojevići members which family belongs to which brotherhood, branch and sub-branch . Never has any family questioned the structure depicted below.
All people of the Vasojevići are descendants of three Vaso sons: Rajo, Novak and Mioman. Hence the three great brotherhoods (bratstva) of the Vasojevići:
Rajevići is the biggest branch. It is in turn divided into three branches
(again after Raja’s sons or grandsons: Đuro, Dabet and Uglješa Demir-Kovač).
Families that descend from Lopaćani are:
Families that are descendants of Dabetići are:
Families of Kovačevići branch are:
Novakovići is the second biggest branch.
Novak had three sons (Nikač, Vuksan/Vuica and Rečko), of which all families hail from:
All the families of Novakovići brotherhood are as follows:
Miomanovići is the smallest brotherhood of the Vasojevići. The families are:
Montenegro
Montenegro Montenegrin: Crna Gora Црна Гора , meaning "Black Mountain") is a country located in Southeastern Europe. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the south-west and is bordered by Croatia to the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast and Albania to the...
. It occupies the area between Vjetarnih Lijeva Rijeka in the South and Bihor under Bijelo Polje
Bijelo Polje
Bijelo Polje is a town in northern Montenegro. It has a population of 15,883 .Bijelo Polje is the center of municipality . It is unofficial center of north-eastern region of Montenegro...
in the North, Mateševo
Mateševo
Mateševo is a village in northern Montenegro, within Kolašin municipality. The 2003 census put the population at 97.The first phase of planned Belgrade–Bar motorway will extend from Podgorica to this village....
in the West to Plav
Plav
Plav Plav Plav (Montenegrin, (Albanian: Plav) is a town in north-eastern Montenegro. It has a population of 3,615 (2003 census).Plav is the centre of the municipality (population of 13,805),-Geography:...
in the East. The clan (pleme, tribe) is one of seven "highland clans" (Vasojevići, Moračani, Rovčani
Rovcani
Rovčani or Rovči is a highland clan and town in Montenegro.The clan takes its name from Rovča region in Montenegro. Nikša is the oldest known ancestor, he had a son, youngest Gojak, who founded the clan...
, Bratonožići, Kuči
KUCI
KUCI is a college radio station broadcasting a Variety format. Licensed to Irvine, California, USA, the station serves the Orange County area...
, Piperi
Piperi
Piperi can mean:* Piperi, Greece, an island in Greece* Piperi clan, a clan in Montenegro* Piperi , a village in Bosnia and Herzegovina...
and Bjelopavlići
Bjelopavlici
Bjelopavlići is a strip of fertile lowland in Montenegro. It stretches along the Zeta river, being wider in river's lower end, down to the confluence with Morača river near Podgorica...
). Vasojevići is also the name of the region inhabited by the Vasojevići.
Although the unofficial center is Andrijevica
Andrijevica
Andrijevica is a town in north-eastern Montenegro. It has a population of 1,073 . Its territory is outspread on 340 km2 and it is surrounded by massives of mountains Komovi, Bjelasica and Prokletije....
in north-eastern Montenegro, the tribe stems from Lijeva Rijeka in central Montenegro. The tribe was formed by various tribes that were united under the rule of the central Vasojevic tribe. These tribes later migrated to the Komovi
Komovi
Komovi may refer to*FK Komovi, a Montenegran football club, a Yugoslavian cargo ship in service 1965-67...
mountains and the area of Lim
Lim River
The Lim is a river flowing through Montenegro, Albania, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. long, it's the right and the longest tributary of the Drina.- Montenegro and Serbia :...
. The emigration continued into Serbia
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
and other parts of Montenegro
Montenegro
Montenegro Montenegrin: Crna Gora Црна Гора , meaning "Black Mountain") is a country located in Southeastern Europe. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the south-west and is bordered by Croatia to the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast and Albania to the...
.
History
The Vasojević clan, and Vaso, the founder itself, is mentioned for the first time in a document found in an archive of Dubrovnik (Ragusa)Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is a Croatian city on the Adriatic Sea coast, positioned at the terminal end of the Isthmus of Dubrovnik. It is one of the most prominent tourist destinations on the Adriatic, a seaport and the centre of Dubrovnik-Neretva county. Its total population is 42,641...
, dated 1444. Most of the clan's history prior to the 16th century has naturally been passed on through oral history
Oral history
Oral history is the collection and study of historical information about individuals, families, important events, or everyday life using audiotapes, videotapes, or transcriptions of planned interviews...
.
According to a folk myth, the founder of the clan was Vaso. According to one myth Vaso was a descendant of the Nemanjić Dynasty, which ruled the Serbian Grand Principality
Serbian Grand Principality
The Serbian Grand Principality or Rascia was a medieval state that was founded in 1090, and ended with the elevation to Kingdom in 1217. During the reign of Constantine Bodin, the King of Duklja, Vukan was appointed to rule Rascia as a vassal, and when Bodin was captured by the Byzantines, Vukan...
, Kingdom and Empire
Serbian Empire
The Serbian Empire was a short-lived medieval empire in the Balkans that emerged from the Serbian Kingdom. Stephen Uroš IV Dušan was crowned Emperor of Serbs and Greeks on 16 April, 1346, a title signifying a successorship to the Eastern Roman Empire...
(1166-1371). Vaso's great grandfather was Stefan Konstantin
Stefan Konstantin
Stephen Constantine was the King of Serbia briefly for a year 1321–1322. He initially held the appanage of Zeta . He was the only pretender to the Serbian thone, after his father had exiled his younger brother and initial heir Stefan Uroš III...
, the rival King, who was defeated by his half-brother Stefan Uroš III in 1322. Stefan Konstantin had a son, Stefan Vasoje, who was brought up at the court of Dušan the Mighty. Stefan Vasoje participated in the battles of Dušan, and when he had received sufficient experience, he was put by the Emperor as voivode at Sjenica
Sjenica
Sjenica , is a town and municipality in the Zlatibor District of Serbia. The population of the town, according to 2011 census, is 13,056 inhabitants, while the municipality has 25,448.-History:...
. Stefan Vasoje had a son, Stefan Konstantin II (1342-1389, known as Vojvoda Vasojević Stevo in folklore), who participated in the Battle of Kosovo (1389), where he died. The legend further alleges that Vaso, one of five sons of Stefan Konstantin II (all brothers are founders of clans), moved to Lijeva Rijeka.
However, the Vasojevici stem from different tribes, of no common kinship and ancestry, which were united under the rule of a central tribe that extended its name to the other clans.
Vaso's descendants gradually expanded to the north-east and inhabited the region by the river Lim
Lim River
The Lim is a river flowing through Montenegro, Albania, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. long, it's the right and the longest tributary of the Drina.- Montenegro and Serbia :...
called Polimlje – the area around the Komovi mountains, Andrijevica
Andrijevica
Andrijevica is a town in north-eastern Montenegro. It has a population of 1,073 . Its territory is outspread on 340 km2 and it is surrounded by massives of mountains Komovi, Bjelasica and Prokletije....
and Berane
Berane
Berane , formerly Ivangrad, is a town in north-eastern Montenegro. It has a population of 11,776 .Berane is the centre of municipality and one of the centres of Polimlje area, named after the Lim River, on which Berane is situated.-History:During the medieval period the Montenegrin land of Berane...
Rovcani
Rovčani or Rovči is a highland clan and town in Montenegro.The clan takes its name from Rovča region in Montenegro. Nikša is the oldest known ancestor, he had a son, youngest Gojak, who founded the clan...
, Bratonožići, Kuči
KUCI
KUCI is a college radio station broadcasting a Variety format. Licensed to Irvine, California, USA, the station serves the Orange County area...
, Piperi
Piperi
Piperi can mean:* Piperi, Greece, an island in Greece* Piperi clan, a clan in Montenegro* Piperi , a village in Bosnia and Herzegovina...
and Bjelopavlići
Bjelopavlici
Bjelopavlići is a strip of fertile lowland in Montenegro. It stretches along the Zeta river, being wider in river's lower end, down to the confluence with Morača river near Podgorica...
). In modern Montenegro
Montenegro
Montenegro Montenegrin: Crna Gora Црна Гора , meaning "Black Mountain") is a country located in Southeastern Europe. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the south-west and is bordered by Croatia to the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast and Albania to the...
the area of Vasojevići falls into following municipalities: Berane
Berane
Berane , formerly Ivangrad, is a town in north-eastern Montenegro. It has a population of 11,776 .Berane is the centre of municipality and one of the centres of Polimlje area, named after the Lim River, on which Berane is situated.-History:During the medieval period the Montenegrin land of Berane...
, Podgorica
Podgorica
Podgorica , is the capital and largest city of Montenegro.Podgorica's favourable position at the confluence of the Ribnica and Morača rivers and the meeting point of the fertile Zeta Plain and Bjelopavlići Valley has encouraged settlement...
, Kolašin
Kolašin
Kolašin , is a town in northern Montenegro. It has a population of 2,989 .Kolašin is the centre of the municipality and unofficial centre of Morača region, named after Morača River....
, Plav
Plav
Plav Plav Plav (Montenegrin, (Albanian: Plav) is a town in north-eastern Montenegro. It has a population of 3,615 (2003 census).Plav is the centre of the municipality (population of 13,805),-Geography:...
and Bijelo Polje
Bijelo Polje
Bijelo Polje is a town in northern Montenegro. It has a population of 15,883 .Bijelo Polje is the center of municipality . It is unofficial center of north-eastern region of Montenegro...
(around 15% of Montenegro
Montenegro
Montenegro Montenegrin: Crna Gora Црна Гора , meaning "Black Mountain") is a country located in Southeastern Europe. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the south-west and is bordered by Croatia to the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast and Albania to the...
). One of the highest mountains of the modern day Montenegro
Montenegro
Montenegro Montenegrin: Crna Gora Црна Гора , meaning "Black Mountain") is a country located in Southeastern Europe. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the south-west and is bordered by Croatia to the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast and Albania to the...
is named after the tribe: Kom Vasojevićki (2461 meteres) and the whole area inhabited by the clan is frequently called "Vasojevići" .
Part of the tribe that stayed free from the "Turkish occupation" lives in the area of Lijeva Rijeka and Andrijevica
Andrijevica
Andrijevica is a town in north-eastern Montenegro. It has a population of 1,073 . Its territory is outspread on 340 km2 and it is surrounded by massives of mountains Komovi, Bjelasica and Prokletije....
(Upper Nahija) – they are all called Upper Vasojevići. Lower Vasojevici (or Lower Nahija) inhabited the area of Berane
Berane
Berane , formerly Ivangrad, is a town in north-eastern Montenegro. It has a population of 11,776 .Berane is the centre of municipality and one of the centres of Polimlje area, named after the Lim River, on which Berane is situated.-History:During the medieval period the Montenegrin land of Berane...
. Most of the Lower Vasojevići were within the "Turkish reign" until Balkan Wars
Balkan Wars
The Balkan Wars were two conflicts that took place in the Balkans in south-eastern Europe in 1912 and 1913.By the early 20th century, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Greece and Serbia, the countries of the Balkan League, had achieved their independence from the Ottoman Empire, but large parts of their ethnic...
in XX c.
Clan members were perceived as noblemen and rarely mingled with common folk – people who did not have a common ancestor. Vasojevići called them Ašani (earlier also Asa and Hasa) and today this term has come to denote Vasojevići of other origin.
In the 18th century the folklore of the tribe was influenced by the Orthodox millenarianism
Millenarianism
Millenarianism is the belief by a religious, social, or political group or movement in a coming major transformation of society, after which all things will be changed, based on a one-thousand-year cycle. The term is more generically used to refer to any belief centered around 1000 year intervals...
that had developed during the mid Ottoman era. According to one such folk legend, an elder of the Vasojevići, Stanj, foretold Greek priests the advent of a Serbian messiah, a dark man (crni čovijek) who would liberate the Serbs from the Turks. These myths as part of the official Serbian Orthodox doctrine provided both a de facto recognition of Ottoman rule and the denial of its legitimacy.
During the Second World War, the Vasojevići were divided between the two armies of Serb Chetniks
Chetniks
Chetniks, or the Chetnik movement , were Serbian nationalist and royalist paramilitary organizations from the first half of the 20th century. The Chetniks were formed as a Serbian resistance against the Ottoman Empire in 1904, and participated in the Balkan Wars, World War I, and World War II...
(royalists
Monarchism
Monarchism is the advocacy of the establishment, preservation, or restoration of a monarchy as a form of government in a nation. A monarchist is an individual who supports this form of government out of principle, independent from the person, the Monarch.In this system, the Monarch may be the...
) and Yugoslav Partisans (communists) that were fighting each other (vojvoda Pavle Đurišić formed the most successful Chetnik units out of mainly Vasojevići). As a result the conflict spread within the tribal structures.
Though sense of clan affiliation diminished in recent years, is not a thing of a past. Clan's association and organizations still exist (e.g. Udruženje Vasojevića "Vaso"). It could be clearly seen during the Montenegrin independence referendum, 2006
Montenegrin independence referendum, 2006
The Montenegrin independence referendum was a referendum on the independence of the Republic of Montenegro from the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro that was held on 21 May 2006.The total turnout of the referendum was 86.5%...
with the Vasojevici united opposition (see below).
Notable descendants of the Vasojevići tribe
By the beginning of the World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
there were more than 3600 Vasojevići “houses” in Polimlje and Lijeva Rijeka. Many notable Serbs
Serbs
The Serbs are a South Slavic ethnic group of the Balkans and southern Central Europe. Serbs are located mainly in Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and form a sizable minority in Croatia, the Republic of Macedonia and Slovenia. Likewise, Serbs are an officially recognized minority in...
(or people with Serbian roots, vide Milla Jovovich
Milla Jovovich
Milla Jovovich December 17, 1975)is an American model, actress, musician, and fashion designer. Over her career, she has appeared in a number of science fiction and action-themed films, for which music channel VH1 has referred to her as the "reigning queen of kick-butt".Milla Jovovich began...
) are Vasojevići by origin, e.g.:
- Milla JovovichMilla JovovichMilla Jovovich December 17, 1975)is an American model, actress, musician, and fashion designer. Over her career, she has appeared in a number of science fiction and action-themed films, for which music channel VH1 has referred to her as the "reigning queen of kick-butt".Milla Jovovich began...
- an American supermodel, actress, musician, singer, and a fashion designer. - Slobodan MiloševićSlobodan MiloševićSlobodan Milošević was President of Serbia and Yugoslavia. He served as the President of Socialist Republic of Serbia and Republic of Serbia from 1989 until 1997 in three terms and as President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia from 1997 to 2000...
- former President of SerbiaSerbiaSerbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
and of YugoslaviaYugoslaviaYugoslavia refers to three political entities that existed successively on the western part of the Balkans during most of the 20th century....
. - Jelena JankovićJelena JankovićJelena Janković is a former world no. 1 professional tennis player from Serbia. She reached the final of the 2008 US Open and won the 2007 Wimbledon Mixed Doubles title. Janković is ranked world no...
- a Serbian professional female tennis player - currently the world number 5 player in a WTA list. - Karađorđe Petrović - leader of the First Serbian UprisingFirst Serbian UprisingThe First Serbian Uprising was the first stage of the Serbian Revolution , the successful wars of independence that lasted for 9 years and approximately 9 months , during which Serbia perceived itself as an independent state for the first time after more than three centuries of Ottoman rule and...
against the Ottoman EmpireOttoman EmpireThe Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
, and the founder of the Serbian ruling dynasty - House of Karađorđević. - Petar BojovićPetar BojovicPetar Bojović OKS GCMG was one of four Serbian vojvodas in Balkan Wars and World War I.-Early:Petar was born on July 16, 1858 in Miševići, Nova Varoš. He had distant ancestry from the Vasojevići....
- one of four famous Serbian vojvode (field-marshal) in Balkan WarsBalkan WarsThe Balkan Wars were two conflicts that took place in the Balkans in south-eastern Europe in 1912 and 1913.By the early 20th century, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Greece and Serbia, the countries of the Balkan League, had achieved their independence from the Ottoman Empire, but large parts of their ethnic...
and World War IWorld War IWorld War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. - Žarko ObradovićŽarko ObradovicŽarko Obradović is Serbian politician and Minister of Education in the Government of Serbia....
- Serbian politician and a current Minister of Education in the Government of SerbiaGovernment of SerbiaOfficially the Government of the Republic of Serbia is the executive branch of government in Serbia.-Current government:The current government was elected on 7 July 2008 by the majority vote in the National Assembly of Serbia and restructured on 14 March 2011...
. - Svetozar MarkovićSvetozar MarkovicSvetozar Marković was an influential Serbian political activist and literary critic. He developed an activistic anthropological philosophy with a definite program of social change.-Early life:...
- an influential Serbian political activist of the 19th century . - Vjera MujovićVjera MujovićVjera Mujović is is a Serbian actress.She is from Vasojevici clan,and is well-known as an actress in theatre,but also in series and as a writer of books.- Biography :...
-an actress and writer of novels - Gavro VukovićGavro VukovicVojvoda Gavro Vuković was a Montenegrin voivode and writer.-Biography:Gavro Vuković was the son of Montenegrin senator, hero, and chief Miljan Vukov from the Vasojević clan....
- voivode, writer, deputy, Minister of Foreign Affairs, son of famous Montenegrin senator, hero and tribe chief: Miljan Vukov. - Momčilo CemovićMomcilo CemovicMomčilo Cemović was the President of the Executive Council of the Socialist Republic of Montenegro in 1978-1982. He was a member of the League of Communists of Montenegro....
- Presidents of the Executive Council of the Socialist Republic of Montenegro (Prime Minister) from 1978 till 1982. - Radoslav Cemovic - Former karate champion,Yugoslav national karate team 1968-1970
- Dragoslav ŠekularacDragoslav ŠekularacDragoslav Šekularac Dragoslav Šekularac (Serbian Cyrillic: Драгослав Шекуларац) Dragoslav Šekularac (Serbian Cyrillic: Драгослав Шекуларац) (born November 30, 1937 in Štip, Vardar Banovina, Kingdom of Yugoslavia is a Serbian former football player and coach....
- a SFR Yugoslavia former football superstar player and coach. - Radovan ZogovićRadovan ZogovicRadovan Zogović was one of the greatest Montenegrin poets of the 20th century....
- one of the greatest Montenegrin poets of 20th century. - Mihailo LalićMihailo LalicMihailo Lalić was a famous novelist of Montenegrin and Serbian literature. He is considered by some to be among the greatest authors from Montenegro.-Overview:...
- a famous novelist of Serbian and Montenegrin literature. He is considered by some to be among the greatest Montenegrin authors. - Stefan BabovićStefan BabovicStefan Babović is a Serbian footballer. He currently plays for FK Partizan in the Serbian SuperLiga....
- Serbian football player currently playing for FC Nantes and the Serbia national football teamSerbia national football teamThe Serbia national football team represents Serbia in association football and is controlled by the Football Association of Serbia, the governing body for football in Serbia. Serbia's home ground is Stadion Crvena Zvezda in Belgrade and their last head coach was Vladimir Petrović...
. - Jovan ŽujovićJovan ŽujovicJovan Žujović was an anthropologist, known as a founder of geology in Serbia....
- an anthropologist, known as a founder of geology in Serbia. - Milutin ŠoškićMilutin ŠoškicMilutin Šoškić is a Serbian former goalkeeper who is one of FK Partizan's biggest legends.- References :**...
- a legendary Serbian goalkeeper who played for SFR Yugoslavia. - Milić VukašinovićMilic VukašinovicMilić Vukašinović, a.k.a. Mitch Valiant is a musician from Serbia of Yugoslavian ethnicity. He was the founder of the rock band Vatreni Poljubac and drummer of the famous Yugoslav band Bijelo dugme.Born in Belgrade, he moved with his family to Peć when he was 6 years old...
- drummer, rock singer and guitarist, most notable for his stint with Bijelo dugmeBijelo dugmeBijelo dugme was a highly influential former Yugoslav rock band, based in Sarajevo. Active between 1974 and 1989, it is widely considered to have been the most popular band ever to exist in former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and one of the most important acts of the Yugoslav rock...
. - Lazar Mutap - voivode of the First Serbian UprisingFirst Serbian UprisingThe First Serbian Uprising was the first stage of the Serbian Revolution , the successful wars of independence that lasted for 9 years and approximately 9 months , during which Serbia perceived itself as an independent state for the first time after more than three centuries of Ottoman rule and...
and one of the initiators of the Second Serbian UprisingSecond Serbian UprisingThe Second Serbian Uprising was a second phase of the Serbian revolution against the Ottoman Empire, which erupted shortly after the re-annexation of the country to the Ottoman Empire, in 1813. The occupation was enforced following the defeat of the First Serbian Uprising , during which Serbia...
. - Miljan Vukov Vešović - famous Montenegrin senator, voivode, hero and a tribe chief .
- Sava Mašović - first Vasojević in space.
- Iguman Mojsije Zečević - the chief of the i in 19th century. Along with Petar I Petrović Njegoš and Petar II Petrović Njegoš Zečević was one of the most important figures of that time in Montenegro.
- Ljubomir Bakić - deputy, President of the High Court in Cetinje, Montenegrin Minister of Justice from 1913 till 1915 .
- Dojčilo Maslovarić - PlenipotentiaryPlenipotentiaryThe word plenipotentiary has two meanings. As a noun, it refers to a person who has "full powers." In particular, the term commonly refers to a diplomat fully authorized to represent his government as a prerogative...
Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to the Holy SeeHoly SeeThe Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
(Vatican) from 1996 till 2000, Minister of Foreign Affairs of F.R.Y. from 1994 till 1996.
Bora Djordjevic
Ethnicity of the Vasojevići and the Montenegrin independence referendum, 2006
In May 2006, Montenegro gained independenceMontenegrin independence referendum, 2006
The Montenegrin independence referendum was a referendum on the independence of the Republic of Montenegro from the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro that was held on 21 May 2006.The total turnout of the referendum was 86.5%...
after a referendum on the future of the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro. However, 72% of voters in Andrijevica
Andrijevica
Andrijevica is a town in north-eastern Montenegro. It has a population of 1,073 . Its territory is outspread on 340 km2 and it is surrounded by massives of mountains Komovi, Bjelasica and Prokletije....
municipality, the unofficial centre of the Vasojevići region, voted against Montenegrin independence. It was the second highest result against breaking the state union with Serbia
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
(after Pluzine
Plužine
Plužine is a town in northwesten Montenegro. It has a population of 1,494 .Plužine is the centre of the municipality and unofficial centre of Piva region, named after Piva River.-History:...
municipality).
The People's Assembly of Vasojevići stated many times that, apart from being Montenegrin, all Vasojevići are Serb and, thus, strongly oppose and have always opposed Montenegrin secession from Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia refers to three political entities that existed successively on the western part of the Balkans during most of the 20th century....
. The Montenegrin census of 2003 revealed that 89,81% of the Vasojevići declared themselves as Serb while 9,43% declared themselves as Montenegrin.
In the aftermath of the referendum some villages have been abandoned as Vasojevići have sold their houses and moved to Serbia.. Similar cases have been observed in other places of Montenegro
Montenegro
Montenegro Montenegrin: Crna Gora Црна Гора , meaning "Black Mountain") is a country located in Southeastern Europe. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the south-west and is bordered by Croatia to the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast and Albania to the...
, however not in the same degree of organisation and ferocity as in the Vasojevići region
Andrijevica
Andrijevica is a town in north-eastern Montenegro. It has a population of 1,073 . Its territory is outspread on 340 km2 and it is surrounded by massives of mountains Komovi, Bjelasica and Prokletije....
.
Structure of the Vasojevići Tribe
It is a tradition of all Montenegrin ClansSerb clans
Serb clans is a general term referring to what are known as plemena and bratstva , traditional geo-political units of the Western Balkans that now richly attest social anthropology and family history . The descendants of the clans are divided by regional and lately, national affiliation...
to show respect to ancestors by knowing precisely genealogy and the history of the tribe and a family. This also allows members of the clan to be unite, to act together and always to recognise kin.
In a book "Pleme Vasojevići" written in 1935, R. Vešović describes the structure of the Vasojevići. The list of families was exhausting when the book was completed but since then new families may have developed. Sometimes, with the very distant genealogy, slight variations of names, chronology and relationships exist concurrently but there is no doubt among the Vasojevići members which family belongs to which brotherhood, branch and sub-branch . Never has any family questioned the structure depicted below.
All people of the Vasojevići are descendants of three Vaso sons: Rajo, Novak and Mioman. Hence the three great brotherhoods (bratstva) of the Vasojevići:
- Rajevići
- Novakovići
- Miomanovići
Rajevići is the biggest branch. It is in turn divided into three branches
(again after Raja’s sons or grandsons: Đuro, Dabet and Uglješa Demir-Kovač).
Families that descend from Lopaćani are:
- Raketići
- Marsenići
- PopovićPopovic-Popovich:Popovich or Popovitch is a common Ukrainian or Russian surname, and sometimes a patronymic meaning son of Popov...
i - Radulovići
- Vešovići
- Vulevići
- BojovićBojovicThe Bojović are a branch of the Serb clan of Vasojevici of Montenegro....
i - Đukići
- Miloševići and Velidžinkići
- Čukići
- GolubovićGolubovicGolubović is a Serbian surname and may refer to:* Danilo Golubović, Politician* Kristijan Golubović, Criminal...
i and Lalevići- Dragićiević
- IvanovićIvanovic-Ivanovich:Ivanovich is a Russian patronymic meaning son of Ivan. Since Ivan is one of the most common names in Russia, innumerable people have Ivanovich or its feminine form Ivanovna as part of their name. Many people with the last name Ivanovic come from different ethnic groups...
i - Mikovići
- Novovići
- Pavićievići
- RaičevićRaicevicRaičević is a South Slavic surname, may refer to:*Mirko Raičević*Miroslav Raičević...
i - Vasović
- Neradovići
- AleksićAleksicAleksić is a Serbian surname, meaning "son of Aleksa," and may refer to:*Danijel Aleksić , Serbian football player*Milija Aleksic , former English football player*Mija Aleksić , Serbian actor...
i - Spasojevići
- Vukaśinovići
- Aleksić
- Stojanovići and StojkovićStojkovic-Notable individuals:*Benedikt Stojković , a Croatian Roman Catholic churchman*Danilo "Bata" Stojković, famous late stage and film actor*Dragan "Piksi" Stojković, retired footballer, current manager of J...
i - Vukićevići and Boričići
- Labani and Mijovići
- IvanovićIvanovic-Ivanovich:Ivanovich is a Russian patronymic meaning son of Ivan. Since Ivan is one of the most common names in Russia, innumerable people have Ivanovich or its feminine form Ivanovna as part of their name. Many people with the last name Ivanovic come from different ethnic groups...
i - Jelići
- Kiković
- MirkovićMirkovicMirković is a Serbian and Croatian surname, and may refer to:*Dragana Mirković , Serbian pop-folk singer**DM SAT , Serbian cable/satellite music video and entertainment channel...
i - PerovićPerovicPerović is a Montenegrin and Serbian surname and may refer to:* Andrija Ivanov Perović, Montenegrin senator and serdar* Batrić Perović, Montenegrin knez...
i - Radovojevići
- Radunovići
- Ugrenovići
- Vukanići
- Ivanović
- Karadžići and Sakovići
- Folići
- Zulevići
Families that are descendants of Dabetići are:
- Deletići
- Đekići
- Lekići
- Mirčići
- Novovići
- Rajovići
- VukovićVukovićVuković is a village in the municipality of Kučevo, Serbia. According to the 2002 census, the village has a population of 301 people....
i
- Labovići
- Ćirovići
- Grozdanići
- Rosnići
- Lazarevići
- Kuburovići
- Laskovići
- Osmanlijići
- Stanisavići – Ilići
- Radunovići – Drndari
- Vulinići (or Vuline)
- Dragojevići
- IvanovićIvanovic-Ivanovich:Ivanovich is a Russian patronymic meaning son of Ivan. Since Ivan is one of the most common names in Russia, innumerable people have Ivanovich or its feminine form Ivanovna as part of their name. Many people with the last name Ivanovic come from different ethnic groups...
i - Zonjići
- Arsenijevići
- Protići
- Vuksanovići
- Lakićevići
- StanićStanicStanić is a South Slavic surname and may refer to:*Ana Stanić, Serbian singer*Milan Stanić, Serbian diplomat*Goran Stanić , Macedonian footballer*Krešimir Stanić , Swiss footballer of Croatian background...
i - LalićLalicLalić is a village in Serbia. It is situated in the Odžaci municipality, in the West Bačka District, Vojvodina province. The village is ethnically mixed and has population of 1,646 people , including several ethnic groups, among them 796 Slovaks, 702 Serbs, and others...
i- Ostojici
- Lašići
- Žurići
- KojićKojicKojic may refer to:In people:* Dragan Kojić Keba* Igor Kojić, Serbian footballer* Milan Kojic* Nemanja Kojic* Rajko KojićIn other uses:* Kojic acid...
i - Mitrovići
- Palevići and Garčevići
Families of Kovačevići branch are:
- Kastratovići
- MićovićMicovicMićović is a Serbian surname and may refer to:*Joanikije Mićović *Vladimir Mićović *Vojislav Mićović *Zoran Mićović *Mićović Milana Vladimir...
i - Vojvodići
- Mićović
- Đurišići with MartinovićMartinovicMartinović is a common surname in Serbia, Montenegro and Croatia. It may refer to:* Alexandre Martinović* Anica Kovač, née Martinović, Miss Croatia and Miss World runner up...
i and Jojići- Bradići
- Đurkovići
- Marijanovići
- Medonići
- Otaševići
- PlavšićPlavšicPlavšić or Plavsic is a Serbian surname and may refer to:*Biljana Plavšić , Bosnian Serb politician*Adrien Plavsic , Canadian hockey player...
i - RakićRakicRakić is a surname in former Yugoslavia: mainly in Serbia but also in Bosnia, Croatia, Montenegro, and Slovenia, and may refer to:* Đorđe Rakić , Serbian football player* Milan Rakić , Serbian poet...
i - Ružići
- SimovićSimovićSimović is a Serbo-Croatian surname. The bearers are Christian...
i (Carevići) - Stanići
- Obradovići
- Jukići
- Miketići
- SavićSavićSavić, Savic , Savich or Savitch is a surname that can be found among Serbians, Russians, or Jews. It is related to the name Sava...
i - Vučevići
- Vuksanovići
- Zekići
- Katanići (Raičevići)
- Aletići
- Bacanovići
- Novičići
- Šarovići
- Vulići
- Dedovići
- Đinovići
- Milovići
- Tajići
Novakovići is the second biggest branch.
Novak had three sons (Nikač, Vuksan/Vuica and Rečko), of which all families hail from:
All the families of Novakovići brotherhood are as follows:
- DragovićDragovicDragović is a Montenegrin, Serbian and Croatian surname, meaning "son of Drago", may refer to:*Aleksandar Dragović, Austrian footballer*Doris Dragović, Croatian pop singer*Dragović monastery* surname from the Vasojevići clan...
i- Lekići
- Panjkovići
- Adžići
- Babovići
- Lakovići
- Vukovići
- Ćulafići
- Mimovići
- Milikići
- Tomovići
- Radevići and Đekići
- Mujovići
- Kićovići
- Lakušići
- Račići
- Jelići
- Vukići
- Asanovići
- Boričići
- Ljubići
- Mišovići
- Nikolići
- Pantovići
- Radunovići
- Ivanovići
- Milevići
- Radonjići
- Dujovići and Marnići
- Bakići
- Prelići
- Orovići
- Kočanovići
- Pajovići
- Salevići
- Bandovići
- Djekovići
- Radojevići
- Radosavljevići
- Vukadinovići
- Matovići
- Žujovići
Miomanovići is the smallest brotherhood of the Vasojevići. The families are:
- Delevići
- Cemovići
- Joksimovići
- Mićovići and Boičići
- Ćeranići
- Markovići
- Štipalji
- Zečevići
- Saičići
- Maslovarići along with Dubac
- Gubernići
- Fatići
- Novovići
- Miškovići
- Vukovići
- Leposavići
- Đerkovići
- Turovići
- Jovovići
- Vučeljići
- Vujovići
- Savovići
- Vukičevići
- Stijovići
- Ćorac-Šunjevići
- Bajići and Šarbajići
- Mališići and Nedići
- Kruščići
- Vučetići