Bosnia-Herzegovina
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/country_profiles/1066886.stm
Language Serbo-Croatian. In school, children learn to write in both Latin and Cyrillic.
Religion There are three major religious groups: Bosnian Croats (Catholic ancestry),
Bosnian Serbs (Eastern Orthodox background), and Muslims (called Bosniacs). There is
strong animosity between these three groups.
History Bosnia and Herzegovina had been part of communist Yugoslavia, but when
Yugoslavia’s government started to fall apart and communism began to crumble, the
Bosnians wanted to become independent again. Independence was gained in 1992, but
Bosnia-Herzegovina was attacked by its neighbors, and the resultant war caused many
deaths and the displacement of almost two million people. NATO’s presence has stabilized
the area, about one million people have returned, and Bosnia and Herzegovina may be
invited to join the European Union if they continue to progress economically and in their
ethnic peace efforts.
Education Compulsory until age 15. After eighth grade, students must pass an exam or
aren’t eligible to get a job. Education is very important to Bosnians.
Cultural Tidbits
People travel primarily by bus, horse-drawn carts, and bicycles.
Bosnians have a strong work ethic.
Bosnians like to be spontaneous without concern for money and time.
The recent war has caused ethnic tensions, but improvements are being made.
When meeting, women offer their hands to men first for shaking, and younger people greet
older people first.
In writing, a person’s surname usually comes before the
given name.
It’s rude to call someone over with the index finger or
to shout in public.
Works Cited:
Country Profiles. BBC News. Retrieved 7/1/06 from the World Wide Web:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/country_profiles/1066886.stm
. CultureGrams World Edition 2004. (2003). Lindon, Utah: Axiom Press, Inc.