Vlachs in Bulgaria

ethnic identity

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The term Vlach refers to a Balkan nomadic people irrespective of their

The Turks used the Vlachs in order to populate agricultural areas of Bulgaria. Given that they had no cultural affiliation to Bulgaria, they did not foster nationalism and as such help to divide the Bulgarian population As such the Vlach population was not assimilated, but could assimilate into a population well if they wanted to. Vlach population in Bulgaria enjoyed the same rights as Bulgarians Emigrated in Greece and Serbia in late 18th and 19th Centuries There is evidence to suggest that part of the Danubian and Timok Vlachs have Bulgarian origins Oral histories seemingly confirm this Conversely, Romanians argue that Vlachs came from Romanian origins south of the Danube, even in the age of the Roman Empire Today Vlachs have been well assimilated into Bulgarian society 1910 census recorded 80,000 Romanian speakers in Bulgaria this is in contrast to 1934 census, deliberately trying to play up the ethnic purity of Bulgaria only 16,000 were recorded o Romanian sources tend to record triple the amount of Vlachs in Bulgaria as Bulgarian records do. 1992 census recorded 5,000 people who identified themselves as Vlachs, but there was no option for Romanian speakers

There is no evidence of discrimination against the Vlachs in the 19121918 wars Bulgarian subjects: equal rights to all other Bulgarians o Involved in Politics o Bulgarians viewed them as partisan o Served in the Bulgarian army against Romania Vlach population largely integrated in the macro-community, mixed marriages with Bulgarians are common and preferred. Not really regarded as intermarriage Vlach community not confined to a particular job today but are mobile on a quest for a better life.

Travelling and settling across Romania

Increase of Nationalism

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Post war increase in ethnic expression and formation of Romanian selfidentity among the Vlachs was largely caused by the engagement of male Vlachs in war. War broadened their social outlook, ended their traditional way of life. Romanian cultural propaganda increased after the mid-1920s, the interwar Vlach community in Bulgaria posed a minority problem Romanian literature made an enemy out of Bulgaria Romanian foreign policy encouraged the development of a Romanian national identity among the Vlachs o The idea behind this was to frustrate demands for equality in Dobrudja, which Romania had annexed in 1913 Bucharest Treaty Offering of scholarships for poor Vlachs Sending of Romanian textbooks to Bulgaria Romanian press launched a campaign for Vlach rights.

After the agrarian government of 1923 fell in Bulgaria, Vlachs were forced to emigrate to Romania Not allowed to speak in Romanian in public Not allowed to wear traditional dress Confiscation of Romanian literature Mandatory attendance of Bulgarian language courses

Did set up Vlach newspaper in Bucharest but didnt develop any sort of organised movement in the interwar period. Ethnic self expression tended to be random and unprepared Romania was also not that attractive to Vlachs because they were a rural population and land reform was not conducted until after 1921: even so feudalism was not completely abolished After WWII there is no evidence that Vlachs were discriminated against in Bulgaria Based on a far more friendly public outlook towards Communist Romania However, sources would suggest that Vlachs still kept a low profile concerning their ethnic origins

During this Communist period Vlachs were not treated any differently, if anything Vlach villages were neater and better than Bulgarian ones, something Bulgarians admitted to with jealousy. Period saw a dramatic increase in high quality and free education to Vlachs in Bulgarian schools. Vlachs consider education as a status symbol, many Vlachs would face privation to put their children through school, noted as part of a Vlach mentality by Bulgarians Vlachs do not refer to themselves as Romanian, but as Vlachs. However, they do refer to their ancestors as Romanians, Romans or Vlachs north of the Danube. Bulgarians and Romanians refer to Vlachs as Romanians The Vlachs settled south of the Danube before the formation of the modern country of Romania and as such do not feel ethnically affiliated with Romania o Moreover, Vlachs are a peasant and rural population distinguished by strong bonds of their own private land, way of life and religion. Bulgarians had a strong impact on the culture and ethnic self identity of the Vlachs as well. o However, this is somewhat of an inferiority complex in the modern day, Vlach has come to be a pejorative term i.e. Wet Vlach

Oral History: Origins of the Vlachs

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Double Migration: Vlachs are indigenous Bulgarians who fled the Turks. The tyrant and oppression by the large landowners eventually forced a relocation back to Bulgaria o When they returned their language had altered beyond Bulgarian into Vlach

Alternative version asserts the idea of mixed nature of the population i.e. intermarriage o particularly popular history around Oryahovo notion fits in the with the Romanian thesis that the Vlachs are descendents of autochthonous Romanised populations Language is a key defining feature in Vlach ethnic identity Cultural value inherited from their ancestors o Pre-WWI Vlach was used colloquially in both Church and in public Vlachs from around Oryahovo claimed that before WWII local authorities discriminated against the Vachs No such bans after 1944

In modern culture the Vlach language is separated by age, the old may only speak it, most middle aged are bilingual and part of the young only speak it at home. Another part are openly hostile to the language, declaring they have no wish to speak it Romanian serves as a comparison and basis for fluency in the language Part of the Vlachs are proud of their command of the Romanian language There is an awareness of the mixed nature of the Vlach language: goes on to produces a self-perception of a mixed, ethnically heterogeneous group o As such there is a sense of inferiority in regard to Vlachs compared to Bulgarians or Romanians, analogical to the inferiority of the language. Self Perceptions

Vlachs consider their land as golden as the main source of income for them. Negative attitudes to Gypsies and Romanians, consider them lazy. In contrast, Vlachs see themselves as neat and hardworking Vlach women are seen as ideal marriage material because they are hardworking and tidy housewives Strong family values in Vlach communities Divorce rates are low Argue that they have an amiable and easy going nature compared to the hot headed nature of the Bulgarians. Stress the love of learning as an asset Vlachs are proud to have a university graduate in the family Consider themselves more pious than Bulgarians However, in the vast majority of cases, relations between Vlachs and Bulgarians is amiable

On the other hand, the attitudes towards Romania are more complicated the nature of the economic crisis and the Communist government of Romania made it an unattractive idea for Vlachs however, Vlachs do have a strong appreciation for Romanian tradition and culture

Vlachs in Albania
Internationally known as Vlachs or Aromanians

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In early post-communism Albania a vivid Vlach ethnic identity appeared.

Aromanian Question and Assimilation Ethnic movement in many ways resembles a turn-of-the-century movement There had been a short but successful Aromanian movement which culminated in the creation of the Aromanian millet in 1905 However, they did fail to create a separate state, Peyfuss explains this: They were seeking independence within the framework of the Ottoman empire They were a tool of Romanian nationalist politics competing with Greek agendas Escalating violence on Aromanians during Greek Civil War and the Balkan Wars emerged as a reaction to Romanian propaganda, but impacted on the ability to form any Aromanian separatist movements Pro-Romanian Aromanians settled in the new Albanian state whilst other settled in Greek, they were separated

Can argue that the Vlachs who moved into new countries became the best Macedonians or the best Greeks. As such they moved towards modernisation as opposed to staying in their mountains in isolation.

Aromanian Awakening in Albania

Association of Aromanian Albanians recognised in 1991

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Led to many Aromanians from Greece, Romania, Macedonia and France etc. attending the first congress of the association. o At this they learned the Aromanian National Anthem o Designed to promote collective identity By 1997 most cities had branches of the Aromanian association in them

Many pro-Romanian Vlachs were taught in Romanian supported schools and many remembered this. They encouraged the revival of such institutions, giving Aromanian language courses to youngsters and supporting Aromanian church rituals. Most Aromanians define their identity in relation to their Greek or Romanian preferences. Romanian View of Origins Argued that given the nature of the Romanian dialect of the language that Vlachs came from Romanian heritage. Secondly based on historical continuity from the Thracians or the Dacians o Especially in Albania o Connection to the Illyrian tribes o i.e. the descendents of various Romanised tribes Pro-Romanian wing consciously try to avoid any notion of a connection to the Ancient Greeks. Historically there were trade links between Albanian Aromanians and Romanians until WWII Still proud of Albanian links though o One of the leaders of the national Albanian movement was a Vlach Greek View of Origins Aromanians are Romanised Hellenes Argued that the Greek border extended well into Albania

However, in Communist period the Aromanians were stigmatised in a similar way to Kulaks. Came to be utilised at pathfinders and shepherds Following this many Greek families attempted to revitalise the old private, and this time sedentary, economy of livestock and dairy farming

Both Romanians and Greeks offer scholarships to Aromanian to come and study in their universities Official work permits were handed out freely from Greece o Even today visas are allocated in priority to Albanians who can prove a Vlach heritage However, there are claims more recently that people switch their allegiances and have their children study first in Greece and then in Romania free of charge (and vice versa of course) Relevance of Ethnic Identity Not always relevant, or proudly displayed Albanian people of high status would not promote their Aromanian heritage Well known Aromanian scholars and artists would not get involved with politics

It is particularly in the towns where Vlachs lose their identity Winnifrith Forgoing Vlach speech and ways of life o A son and his family might be a migrant worker in Greece o The Daughter may get a scholarship to Romania Ethnic identities are actively split o Many parents only chose to divulge to their children their Aromanian heritage after the collapse of Communism.