What nationality are you?
Bosnian/white
Top 3 Favorite Foods
Crapes
Pita - A pie filled with spinach or cheese, not for dessert
Baklava - dessert with nuts
When did your family move to America?
Around 1995 his parents moved to the U.S. because of the Bosnian War for Independence they fought over religion. The war destroyed homes and killed many people.
What have people assumed about you based on your heritage?
Croatia is right next to Bosnia - where his grandma is from, and his family expected him to play soccer. People always ask him to speak Bosnian.
How does your culture affect your daily life?
Bosnian culture is very washed up in America, it doesn't change any daily habits.
Have you ever been treated poorly because of your ethnicity/race/beliefs?
No
What language do you speak at home?
Bosnian, Serbian, Croatian - all somewhat the same, just a few different words
"My parents only speak Bosnian at home."
Do you have certain rules that are odd to others?
"I don’t think so"
Is there a typical style of dress?
Not in the U.S., but in Bosnia women sometimes wear old folk dresses.
Have you ever visited your native country, if so did you feel more welcomed?
He used to go every year to visit cousins/uncles. No, he feels like an outcast because "I am more at home at the place I grew up, with my friends"
Are there any special traditions?
Dinners with Bosnian friends called Slavas
Bosnian Christmas - for Orthodox Catholics who celebrate Christmas twice, once on the 25 of December and again 2 weeks later on January 7th.
What is your opinion of your culture?
"I think it is pretty snazzy. The people are straight to the point. It is more alive in Bosnia, it's busy on the streets. I only go on vacation so he doesn’t feel so involved, I have Bosnian friends in America that remind him of his culture, I don’t find them any different than his regular friends."
How do you think people view your culture?
Hectic, alive, a lot like European cultures.
What cultures are like your own?
Italian, Croatian, Serbian
Were you/your family affected in any war or deep hatred?
Yes, the war caused his family to fled to America. When one country fought against itself, splitting up from Herzegovina to Bosnia Republic, Croatian Republic, and the Serbian Republic.
How do you represent your culture?
He represents by wearing clothing and hats
Does the coronavirus affect your culture?
Yes, there are parties called Slavas and now we can’t have them. Slavas are where groups of Bosnian families meet up and make friends. When you walk in, you take a scoop of a dish made with nuts - called Zito and then you make a cross to remember the saints every year
These parties are fun because of the people, "everyone speaks the language it reminds me of my roots"
Even though his family all got separated he can meet up with people that share his culture, every year and it brings him closer to his family.
Do you have anything else to say?
The war separated his family into different parts of the world, some people couldn’t leave it, so they stayed in Bosnia. Others fled to Germany and other European countries.