Migrations of highlands inhabitants of southeast Serbia to Zajecar and its surroundings: an example of permanent higlands-to-lowlands migration

Abstract

Higlands-to-lowlands migrations are typical of the Balkan peninsula. This type of migration lasted for the last two centuries and in the beginning it was seasonal, comprising mainly workforce, but in later stages it became permanent. However, despite its intensity, social significance and its consequences, it hasn't been observed closely in scientific literature. A permanent migration of this type hasn't even been identified as a distinguished and important social occurrence or as a scientific problem. The reason for this is its coinciding with migrations from the country to cities. This paper analyzes an evident example of permanent higlands-to-lowlands migrations: migrations of highlands inhabitants of southeast Serbia to Zajecar and its surrounding villages, which began after the First World War and intensified significantly from the 50's to the 80's of the 20th century during the socialist industrialization. Main aspects of this type of migration are listed at the end of the paper.Key words: migrations, village, city, highlands, lowlands, urbanization, identity