Imprisoned by the past: History and identity of ethnic groups in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract

In this article the author analyses the role of history in the creation and affirmation of national identities of ethnic groups in Bosnia and Herzegovina. National identities of the local collectivities have been created and shaped under the influence of the turbulent history of this country that, for the most part, consisted of wars, uprisings, occupations and frequent political crisis. It should be emphasized that the main problem of Bosnian-Herzegovinian society is actually reflected in its rich and complex history - For a very long period Bosnian and Herzegovinian nations have been living in a world of parallel truths that actually represent a collection of their personal and collective experiences in different historical periods. Conflicting historical roles and perceptions of these roles are also major obstacles to the stability and preservation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. 'Multiethnic' society based on completely different historical and contemporary truths does not have many chances for a long-term stability, given that a kind of a common, widely accepted history is necessary for the establishment of a functioning community in post-conflict environment.