Differences and similarities between Sokci and Bunjevci

This question is very frequently asked. Many people would say that there is no difference and that these two ethnical groups are actually same. But! Journalists of Red Crosser have decided to check opinion of people in Backi Monostor.

Bunjevci

Bunjevci are ethnical group who lives in Backa, around Subotica, also in Baranja, Banat and Hungary. In census from 2002, on territory of Serbia it was 20 000 people (0,27 % of whole population). There are some data that Bunjevci were named by the name of river Buna, from where they came to Backa. They came as Catholics and they were also called Catholic Serbs. Probably, Bunjevci with Sokci belong to the group of South Slavs.

Sokci

First data about Sokci are from 1716 and they are stored in the church in Backi Monostor which was called firs Bodrog. Sokci are from Dalmacija and they came with Franciscans to area around Danube. The last wave of settlers was 200 years ago. In Serbia there are 9 places where are Sokci mostly lives: Backi Monostor, Sonta, Plovna, Backi Breg, Bodjani, etc. They also have specific dialect and they are mostly Catholics. Sokci have very rich national clothes and women still ware it on special occasions. (S.G.)

           

COMING TOGETHER WITH YOUNG ROMA PEOPLE

Having a great time with friendly people last night was nice, but did you ask yourself how much you know about your hosts? Here are some facts about our hosts:

The Roma society in Bački Monoštor was founded in 1998 being a special group of Roma in need of a place for cultural and social connecting. During their nomad times they trespassed Romania, and there they picked up some of Romanian language and tradition. At the same time they kept the biggest part of their Roma tradition.

Some of the donators for this community centre are:

SPOLU - Holandska NVO

Misija OEBS-a u Srbiji

Incest Trauma Centar – Beograd

Crveni Krst Sombor

Ministarstvo ekonomije I regionalnog razvoja

Grad Sombor

MZ Backi Monoštor

For some time Roma people from Bačka region (some of them call themselves “Vlah”) lived in separate settlements, but nowadays they use to live within the village. There are 750 Roma in Bački Monoštor: that is 15% of the total population of the village. There are around 70 active young people to participate in public work, seminars, folklore activities, workshops, games and sports. Beside that the young Rom generation usually gathers on Saturdays for having a party, karaoke or other funny actions. They also get involved in village feasts and have a good relationship with other organizations like the Red Cross of Sombor or KUD Bodrog.

Together they built up projects like:

“Produžena nastava” – work with young people who want to learn more.

“Umeće roditeljstva” – workshops with parents whose children go to Roma kindergarten.

“Farma gusaka – Ružno pače” – economical empowerment for Roma people.

“Zanati” – for Roma youth additional vocational education

There is also an education centre, a kindergarten, a Club of older Roma and much more.

Sport in Bački Monoštor

Bringing you the exclusive information about sport activities in Bački Monoštor.
In my latest research , I interviewed people in Bački Monoštor and found out their sport habits and basic sport related problems.

In the start we met a young man on a pause from his job. Aco (31) is mostly interested in football. He plays it on the village around with his friends in his free time. Before we left he also hinted something about karate and gymnastic club.
The very next person I interviewed, Stjepan (63) confirmed the information about karate and gymnastic club.
As I continued with interviews a lot of information accumulated.
The chess for women has the biggest success in recent village history. They won the regional championship five times and one of the players is a candidate for a chess master.
All of them practice in village library.
In the end I spoke to the local football coach and manager. He trains the three different generations of young football players. It all sounds well, but there is a big problem related to the insufficient founds the club receives. Also, the football tournament is not as big as it used to be. This year only 9 teams participated, when just a few years ago, 36 teams played the tournament. 
It seems the things aren't going well for this village, but you can also say that there is a huge space for improvement. The only thing needed are young people willing to work on their sport skills.

Future of Brodoremont ?

Brodoremont is a company founded in 1796, officialy in 1802. First the slaves and the prisoners from England were digging the channel which was finaced by Maria Teresa from Austro-Hungaria and was planed and constructed by Hungarian Kis brothers. Digging the channel was the biggest investment in Europe. The first dry dock in Europe on this part of Danube lasted for 30 years. Then Danube changed its course, so a new dry dock was built 6 km away from this one. The plans were made by the same man that built the Eiffel tower. First the company was specialzed for maintaining motors on the ships, but now it serves for ship-building and ship repairing. The company nowdays doesn’t work, it’s on sale. Currently it has 25 workers which are payed by another firm. The company had 125 workers, maximum 150. They worked for Serbian, German, Austrian and Dutch companies. All ships for Serbian buyers are fully built here, interior and exterior were built here and some parts were imported from Croatia and Slovenia. When building the big ships,the method is to build them in two separated parts and then ship them to Apatin to weld them because Apatin has a bigger shipyard. In 2009 the workers had a 10.2% higher average income than the rest of the workers in Vojvodina, but then the crises came and the director declared bankruptcy. The ships are built from steel and need 6 mounths to be ready. Plans for the future are to sell the company on a public auction in September: the price now is 1.800.000 euros. There is one German and one Dutch company interested in buying the shipyard. The workers believe that when the company is sold, it will continue its old tradition of reparing and building ships for river and sea transport.

Events in Backi Monostor

Like every place in Serbia, Backi Monostor has its own dates which are important for the villagers.

29^th of June - St. Peter and Pavle, celebration (slava) of the village.

Second Saturday in august – Bodrog fest, biggest ethno festival in area.

13^th October – This is celebration of the village (slava) because in Second World War, after escape of Germans from the allied army, villagers were afraid that allied will burn the village to find the Germans. All villagers went to the church and close themselves and prayed all night for that the soldiers will go away. In the morning they went out and saw that the village was empty and untouched. After that they celebrate this date every year in memory for great miracle.

CAMP DICTIONARY OF USEFUL TERMS

Summerhouse Nr. 1 (left side of Danube): Place of intense hanging out of lazy unemployed people. No local authority around. It also serves as a place for young and hungry souls to be satisfied. There is a developed gambling community full of fancy Christmas light in the middle of summer. The topics of discussion have a death life importance for the whole world because some of the global crises problems are solved right there. The wooden construction and the plastic light, similar to the famous “Moulin Rouge” in Paris, are ideal for mosquitos and fools; also they may serve as a shelter against rain and sun. Before breakfast, lunch and dinner this place has got the status of a hospital waiting room in good old socialist times.

Summerhouse Nr. 2 (right side of Sava): It serves for the things not to be done in summerhouse Nr. 1.

Food: Eatable thing, the male population wants to take away (to steal) from its’ female equivalent.

Endi: Longhaired Dj and music analyst transforming in a second into a super useful working machine and sound engineer. In his free time he lives his pyromanic tendencies, and often serves as a waterboy.

Camp fire: Hot and moisty place where getting drunk and shouting is approved and even recommended.

Sleeping: Simple night activity unfamiliar to the most of the campers, often avoided in order to have a legitim excuse for being late, lazy, uninterested and bored during the workshop.

WC: The only place in the camp where the number of people gathered is close to the number of people in summerhouse nr.1 - but only in the evening when suddenly everybody wants to use it.

Showers (female section): Where the females wait and take showers one after the other.

Showers (male section): Where the males wait and take showers one after the other; and where females jump in to be first and take showers where they should not take them.

Surprise trip!

The fifth day of the camp was completely different than the rest of the days. The participants were told that they would be going on a trip “somewhere” and only got instructions on what to bring, which gave them a small hint.

The trip started around 7:30 and everyone was excited. Nobody expected such a long trip and after an almost 4 hours ride, we were sitting comfortably on a boat cruising on the Danube and the Sava river, sightseeing Belgrade.

We heard a lot of facts about the state capital, mostly about it’s historical background and it’s bridges.

We went under all six bridges, but the newest one left the biggest impression. Participant could hear that is the biggest single pillar bridge in Europe and third biggest in the world.

Author of this text asked participant did they like the trip. In general, hey were surprised with destination and the cruise. They liked the capital or at least the part they saw.

Adisa commented: It was surprising for me because I didn’t expect to go to Belgrade. Everything was very nice, but I was sorry we didn’t visit the center of the city. Food also was very nice.