Wołoska gospodarka transhumancyjna w Dalmacji i Bośni na początku XIX wieku w perspektywie francuskiej

Wojciech Sajkowski

doi:10.17951/f.2021.76.93-107

Abstract

French rule over Dalmatia in the Napoleonic era (1806–1813) resulted in the gathering of the information about this region, as well as neighboring Bosnia. Travelogues and reports on those lands are so rich and detailed that they can serve as an informative source on the populations inhabiting those areas. This paper focuses on a very precise element of this depiction: the specific status of the Vlach communities and their economic activity in Dalmatia and Bosnia (transhumant pastoralism). The comparison of the depiction of shepherding in those two regions leads to two main conclusions which concern the differences and similarities behind those two depictions. The differences are partially related to the presumed ineffectiveness of the Vlach economy of Dalmatia. On the contrary, in the case of Bosnia, local stock raising was depicted as diversified and able to bring considerable commercial benefits. The similarities between both depictions of the Vlach population in Dalmatia and Bosnia is the transhumant and traditional form of their activity, which was perceived as primitive, i.e. dependent on the natural conditions.

Highlights

The French started to observe carefully the Dalmatian coast of Adriatic, as well as Bosnia since the end of the Seven Years’ War, after the loss of a huge part of colonies to the British
This paper focuses on a very precise element of this depiction: the specific status of the Vlach communities and their economic activity in Dalmatia and Bosnia
The comparison of the depiction of transhumant shepherding in Dalmatia and in Bosnia can lead to two main conclusions which concern the differences and similarities behind those two depictions

Summary

INTRODUCTION

The French started to observe carefully the Dalmatian coast of Adriatic, as well as Bosnia since the end of the Seven Years’ War, after the loss of a huge part of colonies to the British. At least a few French observers were able to point out that this important branch of the economy of the region was related to the fact that herds could graze on good pastures and could drink water from numerous springs, and because of the abilities of the local shepherd population, i.e. the Vlachs This opinion may be found in the anonymous report on Bosnia, which is dated August 24, 1806. Ce grande industrie ne the shepherd population of Dalmatia and Bosnia clearly indicates that its author was conscious that shepherding in both of these regions was exercised in the similar way This means that the Vlach transhumant economy did not have to be perceived as deprived of any economic value, and the lack of application of the techniques characteristic for modern stock raising (including cross-breeding or inoculation) did not have to be treated as an obstacle for the development of the commercial potential of such economic activity

CONCLUSIONS

Secondary sources