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{{redirect|Montenegrin people|all Montenegrin nationals|demographics of Montenegro}}
{{multiple issues|
{{POV|date=December 2012}}
{{Refimprove|date=July 2012}}
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{{Infobox ethnic group
| group = Montenegrins<br>Crnogorci<br>Црногорци
|pop=
|popplace = '''{{flagcountry|Montenegro}}''' '''278,865'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.monstat.org/userfiles/file/popis2011/saopstenje/saopstenje(1).pdf|title=Census of Population, Households and Dwellings in Montenegro 2011|date=July 12, 2011|accessdate=13 July 2011}}</ref>
|ref5=<ref name="serbcensus">[http://media.popis2011.stat.rs/2012/Nacionalna%20pripadnost-Ethnicity.pdf 2011 Census of Population, Households and Dwellings in the Republic of Serbia]</ref>
|region5={{flagcountry|Serbia}}
|pop5=38,527 (2011)
|region6={{flagcountry|Bosnia and Herzegovina}}
|pop6=10,071 (1991 census)
|ref6=<ref name="BiH population">[Official results from the book: Ethnic composition of Bosnia-Herzegovina population, by municipalities and settlements, 1991. census, Zavod za statistiku Bosne i Hercegovine - Bilten no.234, Sarajevo 1991.]</ref>
|region7={{flagcountry|Croatia}}
|pop7=4,517 (2011 census)
|ref7=<ref>http://www.dzs.hr/Eng/censuses/census2011/results/htm/E01_01_04/e01_01_04_RH.html</ref>
|region8={{flagcountry|Macedonia}}
|pop8=2,686 (2002 census)
|ref8=<ref name="makcensus">[http://www.stat.gov.mk/english/soopstenija_eng.asp?name=03.01 Official Results of Macedonia census 2002, State Staticistal Office of the Republic of Macedonia]</ref>
|region9={{flagcountry|Slovenia}}
|pop9=2,667 (2002 census)
|ref9=<ref name="slocensus">[http://www.stat.si/popis2002/en/rezultati/rezultati_red.asp?ter=REG&st=17 Official Results of Slovenia census 2002, Staticistal Office of the Republic of Slovenia]</ref>
|region10 ={{flagcountry|Albania}}
|pop10 = 366 (2011 census) <ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.instat.gov.al/media/180932/1.1.13.xls |title= Census 2011 Data: Resident population by ethnic and cultural affiliation |publisher= The Institute of Statistics of Republic of Albania|accessdate=5 April 2014}}</ref>
|ref10 =
|langs = [[Montenegrin language|Montenegrin]], [[Serbian language|Serbian]]
|rels = Predominately [[Serbian Orthodox Church|Serbian]] and [[Montenegrin Orthodox Church]] with [[Roman Catholicism]] and [[Sunni Islam]] as minority religions.
|related =Other [[Slavs]], especially other [[South Slavs]]<br>[[Bosniaks]], [[Serbs]], [[Croats]], [[Macedonians (ethnic group)|Macedonians]] and [[Slovenes]] are the most related</small><ref>{{cite web
|url =http://www.ethnologue.com/show_family.asp?subid=373-16
|title =Ethnologue - South Slavic languages
|publisher =www.ethnologue.com
|accessdate =2011-02-08
|last =
|first =
}}
</ref>
|region11 = {{flagcountry|Canada}}
|pop11 = 2,970 (2011 census)
|ref11 = <ref>http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/nhs-enm/2011/dp-pd/dt-td/Rp-eng.cfm?LANG=E&APATH=3&DETAIL=0&DIM=0&FL=A&FREE=0&GC=0&GID=0&GK=0&GRP=1&PID=105396&PRID=0&PTYPE=105277&S=0&SHOWALL=0&SUB=0&Temporal=2013&THEME=95&VID=0&VNAMEE=&VNAMEF=</ref>
|region12 = {{flagcountry|Australia}}
|pop12 = 1,171 (2006 census)
|ref12 = <ref name="ABS Ancestry">{{cite web| url = http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/ABSNavigation/prenav/ViewData?breadcrumb=POLTD&method=Place%20of%20Usual%20Residence&subaction=-1&issue=2006&producttype=Census%20Tables&documentproductno=0&textversion=false&documenttype=Details&collection=Census&javascript=true&topic=Ancestry&action=404&productlabel=Ancestry%20(full%20classification%20list)%20by%20Sex&order=1&period=2006&tabname=Details&areacode=0&navmapdisplayed=true& | title = 20680-Ancestry (full classification list) by Sex - Australia| format = Microsoft Excel download |publisher = [[Australian Bureau of Statistics]] | work = 2006 Census| accessdate = 2008-06-02}} Total responses: 25,451,383 for total count of persons: 19,855,288.</ref>
}}
{{Montenegrins}}
'''Montenegrins''' ([[Montenegrin language|Montenegrin]]: Црногорци, ''Crnogorci'', {{IPA-sh|tsr̩nǒɡoːrtsi|pron}} <small>or</small> {{IPA-sh|tsr̩noɡǒːrtsi|}}) are a nation and [[South Slavs|South Slavic]] people mainly living in the Balkans, primarily inhabiting [[Montenegro]]. Smaller migrant communities exist in [[Turkey]], [[Serbia]], [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]], [[Croatia]], [[Albania]], and the [[Republic of Macedonia]].
==Identity and population==
{{Main|Zeta|Montenegro|Demographic history of Montenegro}}
Slavs have lived in the area of Montenegro since the 6th and 7th centuries in the medieval state of [[Duklja|Doclea]]. [[Montenegro]] ([[Montenegrin language|Montenegrin]]: ''Crna Gora'') got its present name during the rule of the [[House of Crnojević|Crnojević]] dynasty. After the [[Christmas Uprising]] (1919), which saw fighting between the pro-[[Petrovic dynasty|Petrovic]] guerrillas and the [[Karadjordjevic dynasty|Karadjordjevic troops]], supporters of Montenegrin king [[Nicholas I of Montenegro|Nicholas I]] expressed opposition to unification with Serbia, while adherents of [[Alexander I of Yugoslavia]] were in favor of unification. Following the collapse of Communism in Yugoslavia, however, some Montenegrins began to declare as Serbs again, while the largest proportion of citizens of Montenegro still preserved their Montenegrin self-identification. This has deepened further since the movement for full Montenegrin independence from the [[Federal Republic of Yugoslavia]] began to gain ground in 1991, and ultimately narrowly succeeded in the [[Montenegrin independence referendum, 2006|referendum of May 2006]] (having been [[Montenegrin independence referendum, 1992|rejected in 1992]]). The Montenegro Serbs do not consider themselves separate from the Montenegrin nation but instead believe that all genuine Slavic Montenegrins are Serbs by ethnicity, and that the Montenegrin nation is one fraction of [[Serbdom]].{{citation needed|date=October 2012}}
In the 2011 census, around 280,000 or ''44.98%'' of the population of Montenegro identified themselves as ethnic Montenegrins, while around 180,000 or ''28.73%'' identified themselves as Serbs. The number of "Montenegrins", "Serbs" and "Bosniaks" fluctuates wildly from census to census, not due to real changes in the populace, but due to changes in how people experience their identity. According to the [[Demographics of Serbia|2002 census]], there are around 70,000 ethnic Montenegrins in [[Serbia]], accounting for ''0.92%'' of the Republic's population. In addition, a significant number of Serbs in Serbia and [[Bosnia-Herzegovina]] are of Montenegrin ancestry, but exact numbers are difficult to assess – the inhabitants of Montenegro contributed greatly to the repopulation of a depopulated Serbia after two rebellions against the Ottoman Empire in the early 19th century,{{citation needed|date=October 2011}} with half of the population of Sumadija and its surroundings being populated by people originally from Montenegro, and with several prominent individuals of the Serbian 18th & early 20th century intelligentsia and entrepreneurs being descendants of people originally from Montenegro.
On 19 October 2007 Montenegro adopted a new Constitution which proclaimed the [[Montenegrin language]] official, and attributed Montenegrin statehood and sovereignty to all citizens of Montenegro.
==History==
{{See also|History of Montenegro}}
===Medieval Times===
During medieval times, Montenegrin territories often shifted possession, but the medieval principalities of [[Duklja|Doclea]] and [[Zeta (state)|Zeta]] under local rulers were fairly long-lived and have paved the way for what will ultimately become the modern Montenegro. In 1496, Zeta fell under [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman rule]], but the Turkish influence was fairly limited to cities while Montenegrins [[Bratstvo and Pleme in Montenegro|tribes]], although disunited, had control over the surrounding mountains. They formed a loosely governed [[theocracy]] of "prince-bishops", starting with [[Archbishop Vavil]] in 1516.
During the 12th century, the area became known as the [[Principality of Zeta]]. Between 1276 and 1309, Zeta was ruled by Queen [[Jelena Anžujska|Jelena]], widow of the Serbian King [[Uroš I]]. She secured autonomy for Zeta within [[Nemanjić dynasty|Nemanjić]]'s Serbia and built and restored around 50 [[monastery|monasteries]], most notably [[Saints Sergius and Bacchus]] (Srđ and Vakh) monasteries on the Bojana River under [[Shkodër|Shkodër/Skadar]]. The name Montenegro (''Crna Gora'') is mentioned for the first time in the charter of St. Nicholas' monastery in Vranjina, dating to 1296 during Jelena's reign. Under King Milutin (Uroš II) Nemanjić, at the beginning of the 14th century, the Archdiocese in Bar was the biggest feudal domain in Zeta.
Throughout the 14th century, the [[House of Balšić|Houses of Balšić]] and [[House of Crnojević|Crnojević]] contested for control over the Montenegrin territories until the Crnojevićs attained supremacy in the 14th century. In 1496, the Ottomans conquered a large part, but not all, of Montenegro.
===Modern===
The Montenegrins maintained their independence from the Ottoman Empire during the Ottoman's reign over most of the Balkan region (Bosnia, Serbia, Bulgaria, etc.). The Montenegrins were gathered around the Metropolitans of the Cetinje Metropolitanate, which led to further national awakening of the Montenegrins all around. The creation of a theocratic state and its advancement into a secular and independent country was even more evident in the late 15th and early 16th centuries.
The rule of the [[House of Petrović]] in the 18th and 19th century unified the Montenegrins and established strong ties with Russia and later with Serbia (under Ottoman occupation), with occasional help from the [[Austro-Hungarian Empire]]. That period was marked by numerous battles with Turkish conquerors as well as by a firmer establishment of a self-governed principality.
In 1878, the [[Congress of Berlin]] recognised Montenegro as the 27th independent state in the world. Montenegro participated in the [[Balkan Wars]] of 1911–1912, as well as in [[World War I]] on the side of the Allies.
===Yugoslav era===
Montenegro unconditionally joined Serbia on November 26, 1918 in a controversial decision of the illegal [[Podgorica Assembly]], and soon afterwards became a part of the [[Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes]], later renamed as [[Yugoslavia]]. A number of Montenegrin chieftains, disappointed by the effective disappearance of Montenegro, which they perceived to have resulted from political manipulation, rose up in arms during January 1919 in an uprising known as the [[Christmas Uprising|Christmas Rebellion]], which was crushed in a severe, comprehensive military campaign in 1922–23. Annexation of the [[Kingdom of Montenegro]] on November 13, 1918 gained international recognition only at the Conference of Ambassadors in [[Paris]], held on July 13, 1922.<ref>http://www.orderofdanilo.org/en/family/index.htm</ref> In 1929 the newly renamed [[Kingdom of Yugoslavia]] was reorganised into provinces (''banovine'') one of which, [[Zeta Banovina]], encompassed the old Kingdom of Montenegro and had Cetinje as its administrative centre.
Between the two world wars, the [[Communist Party of Yugoslavia]] opposed the Yugoslav monarchy and its unification policy, and supported Montenegrin autonomy, gaining considerable support in Montenegro. During [[World War II]], many Montenegrins joined the [[Yugoslav partisans|Yugoslav partisan]] forces, although the portion joining the [[chetniks]] was also significant. One third of all officers in the partisan army were Montenegrins. They also gave a disproportionate number of highest ranked party officials and generals. During WWII [[Italy]] occupied Montenegro (in 1941) and annexed to the [[Kingdom of Italy (1861–1946)|Kingdom of Italy]] the area of Kotor, where there was a small Roman community (descendants from the populations of the renaissance [[Albania Veneta]]). There was an attempt to create an independent Montenegro, but it was stillborn and remained a [[Italian governorate of Montenegro|occupied territory]]. Montenegro was ravaged by a terrible guerrilla war, mainly after Nazi Germany replaced the defeated Italians in September 1943.
When the [[Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia|second Yugoslavia]] was formed in 1945, the Communists who led the Partisans during the war formed the new régime. They recognised, sanctioned and fostered a national identity of Montenegrins as a people distinct from the Serbs and other South Slavs. The number of people who were registered as Montenegrins in Montenegro was 90% in 1948; it has been dropping since, to 62% in 1991. With the rise of Serbian and Montenegrin nationalism in the late 80's the number of citizens who declared themselves Montenegrin dropped sharply from 61.7%, in the 1991 census, to 43.16% in 2003. For a detailed overview of these trends, see the [[Demographic history of Montenegro]].
Initially, after the fall of Communism in the early 1990s, the idea of a distinct Montenegrin identity has been taken over by independence-minded Montenegrins. The ruling [[Democratic Party of Socialists of Montenegro|Democratic Party of Socialists]] (DPS) (reformed communists), led by the prime minister [[Milo Đukanović]] and the president [[Momir Bulatović]], was firmly allied with [[Slobodan Milošević]] throughout this period and opposed such movements.
During the recent [[Bosnian War]] and [[Croatian War]] (1991–1995) Montenegro participated with its [[police]] and paramilitary forces in the attacks on [[Dubrovnik]] and Bosnian towns along with Serbian troops. It conducted persecutions against Bosniak refugees who were arrested by the Montenegrin police and transported to Serb camps in Foča, where they were executed.<ref>[http://bosnjaci.net/aktuelno.php?id=4311 PORODICA NEDŽIBA LOJE O NJEGOVOM HAPŠENJU I DEPORTACIJI 1992. GODINE]</ref>
===Seeking Independence===
However, in 1997 a full-blown rift occurred within DPS, and Đukanović's faction won over Bulatović's, who formed a new [[Socialist People's Party of Montenegro]] (SNP). The DPS distanced itself from Milošević and gradually took over the independence idea from the [[Liberal Alliance of Montenegro]] and the [[Social Democratic Party of Montenegro|SDP]], and has won all elections since.
In the fall of 1999, shortly after the [[NATO]] bombing of Yugoslavia, the Đukanović-led Montenegrin leadership came out with a platform for the re-definition of relations within the federation that called for more Montenegrin involvement in the areas of defence and foreign policy, though the platform fell short of pushing for independence. After Milošević's overthrow on October 5, 2000, Đukanović for the first time came out in support of full independence and succeeded in his quest by winning a vote on independence on 21 May 2006.
==Controversy about Montenegrin ethnic identity==
{{Main|Controversy over linguistic and ethnic identity in Montenegro}}
Montenegro was part of medieval Serbia during 13th century and first half of the 14th century. Ottoman conquest of the Balkans resulted in separation from Serbia and re-emergence of Zeta. In the 19th century [[national romanticism]] among the South Slavs fueled the desire for re-unification.
* During [[Petar I Petrović Njegoš]]'s reign, the basic [[textbook]] in state [[school]]s was called "The Serb elementary reading book". Another edition was published during [[Petar II Petrović Njegoš]]'s rule;
*King Nicholas said: "Who isn't loyal to Montenegrinism, he won't be accepted by God and people"
* During the reign of [[Danilo II Petrovic Njegos]], the pupils had classes in Serbian Grammar; Serbian History; and Slavic History.
* The [[geography]] syllabus at the College of Theology consisted of "studying the Serb lands independent, subjugated and occupied as well as the main cities, places and villages in the entire Slavhood".
* The geography textbook for the 3rd grade of elementary school, in 1911, said:
::In Montenegro live only true and pure Serbs who speak the Serbian language... Besides Montenegro there are more Serb lands in which our Serb brothers live... Some of them are as free as we are and some are subjugated to foreigners.<ref name=EDUC>http://www.njegos.org/heritage/educat.htm</ref>
* The 1909 [[census]], undertaken by the Principality of Montenegro, recorded that 95% of the population spoke Serbian and followed the Orthodox Christian faith.<ref>[[Demographic history of Montenegro]]</ref>
===Present situation===
The political rift in late 1990s caused the Montenegrin/Serb ethnic issue to resurface.
[[Image:Montenegro ethnic03.png|thumb|250px|right|Montenegrins in Montenegro according to the 1991 census]]
[[File:Crna Gora - Etnicki sastav po opstinama 2011 1.gif|thumb|250px|right|Ethnic structure of Montenegro by municipalities 2011.]]
[[File:Crna Gora - Verski sastav po opstinama 2011 1.gif|thumb|250px|right|Religious structure of Montenegro by municipalities 2011.]]
[[Image:Vojvodina south slavs.png|thumb|250px|Montenegrins in Vojvodina, Serbia (2002 census)]]
The population of Montenegro is presently roughly divided on ethnic and political issues between the group composed of the ethnic Montenegrins (Orthodox, Muslim, and Catholic), ethnic [[Bosniaks]], [[Croats]], and [[Albanians]] on one side, and the group composed of the ethnic [[Serbs]] on the other.
Various notable people in Montenegro supported Montenegrin independence and acknowledged the right of citizens in Montenegro to declare themselves as ethnic Montenegrins. Noted supporters of independence include current Prime Minister [[Milo Đukanović]] and the Speaker of Montenegro's Parliament [[Ranko Krivokapić]]. Of the minorities, these include the historical scientist [[Šerbo Rastoder]] (a Bosniak from [[Berane]]), [[don (honorific)|don]] [[Branko Sbutega]] (a [[Roman Catholic]] priest from [[Kotor]], declared as a [[Croats|Croat]], who died April 27, 2006), and the journalist [[Esad Kočan]].
A number of notable Montenegrins include famous football players [[Dejan Savićević]], [[Predrag Mijatović]], [[Stevan Jovetić]] and [[Mirko Vučinić]]; politicians [[Slavko Perović]], [[Filip Vujanović]], and [[Jusuf Kalamperović]] (declared as a Montenegrin who professes Islam); comedians [[Branko Babović]], [[Sekula Drljević]], the popular folk singer [[Sako Polumenta]], the former world kick-boxing champion [[Samir Usenagić]], actor [[Žarko Laušević]], fashion model [[Marija Vujović]], members of the rock group [[Perper (band)|Perper]], [[Miraš Dedeić]], the Montenegrin ruler [[Ivan I Crnojević]] and former President of [[Serbia and Montenegro]] [[Svetozar Marović]].
A number of Montenegrins living outside Montenegro, primarily in Serbia, still maintain Montenegrin [[folklore]], family ties and [[clan]] affiliation. They remain Montenegrins by these standards, yet at [[census|censa]] they declare themselves mostly as Serbs. Some have risen to high [[culture|cultural]], [[Economics|economic]] and [[politics|political]] positions and are widely known as Serbs while few know that they are of Montenegrin roots. For example, even [[Slobodan Milošević]] was a Serb of Montenegrin descent, the first generation of his family to be born in Serbia. His daughter, [[Marija Milošević]] declares Montenegrin ethnicity, as did his late brother Borislav, former ambassador to [[Russia]].
Other prominent Serbs descending from partly or fully from Montenegro include the linguist and major reformer of modern [[Serbian language]] [[Vuk Karadžić]], revolutionary leader and founder of the [[Karađorđević]] dynasty [[Đorđe Petrović]] (most notably [[Aleksandar Karađorđević, Prince of Serbia|Aleksandar Karađorđević]]), the first Serbian modern monarch and founder of the [[Obrenović]] dynasty [[Miloš Obrenović]], the notable Balkanologist and geographer [[Jovan Cvijić]]; the Serbian monarchist politician and one time national opponent of Milošević, [[Vuk Drašković]]; the [[Bosnian war|wartime]] leader of the Bosnian Serbs [[Radovan Karadžić]],<ref>[[BBC]]: [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/876084.stm Profile: Radovan Karadzic]</ref> former [[President of Serbia]] [[Boris Tadić]],<ref>[[Kurir]], June 30, 2004:Vojislav Koštunica (his grandfather surname was Damjanović , from Katunska nahija) Veselin Konjević: [http://arhiva.kurir-info.rs/Arhiva/2004/jun/30/V-03-30062004.shtml O'kle je Boris]</ref> the assassinated warlord [[Željko Ražnatović|Željko Ražnatović-Arkan]] who was half-Montenegrin,<ref>[[Institute for War and Peace Reporting|IWPR]]: [[Milka Tadic]]: [http://www.iwpr.net/archive/bcr/bcr_20000118_2_ser.txt Arkanova Crnogorska Veza]</ref> the famous poet and writer [[Matija Bećković]], editor-in-chief of high circulation ''Večernje novosti'' daily [[Manojlo Vukotić]], the former basketball star [[Žarko Paspalj]], the [[Bezbednosno Informativna Agencija|BIA]] chief [[Rade Bulatović]], former Serbian Interior Minister [[Dragan Jočić]]<small>[http://www.blic.co.rs/arhiva/2006-05-25/strane/tema.htm]</small>, the Serbian constitutional court president [[Slobodan Vučetić]]<small>[http://www.blic.co.rs/arhiva/2006-05-25/strane/tema.htm]</small>, and the half-Montenegrin actress [[Milla Jovovich]].<ref>[[Glas Javnosti]], July 17, 2000: [http://arhiva.glas-javnosti.rs/arhiva/2000/07/18/srpski/F00071702.shtm Koreni iz lepih Vasojevića] (an interview with Milla's father)</ref>
==Language==
{{Main|Montenegrin language}}
{{Further|Serbian language}}
Montenegrins speak the Ijekavian variant of the [[Shtokavian dialect]] of the [[Serbo-Croatian]] language. Neo-shtokavian Eastern-Herzegovinian sub-dialect is spoken in the North-West (largest city Niksic), and old shtokavian Zeta subdialect is spoken in the rest of Montenegro, including capitals Podgorica and Cetinje, and eastern [[Sanjak]]. The North-Western, Eastern-Herzegovinian is also base of Serbian standard language.
The Zeta dialect features additional sounds: a [[voiceless alveolo-palatal fricative]] ({{IPA|/ɕ/}}), [[voiced alveolo-palatal fricative]] *({{IPA|/ʑ/}}, (occurring in other jekavian dialects as well) and a [[voiced alveolar affricate]] ({{IPA|dz}}, shared with other old-štokavian dialects). Both subdialects are charactericized by highly specific accents (shared with other old-štokavian dialects) and several "hyper-ijekavisms" (i.e. ''nijesam'', where the rest of shtokavian area uses ''nisam'') and "hyper-[[iotation]]s" (''đevojka'' for ''djevojka'', ''đeca'' for ''djeca'' etc.) (these features, especially the hyper-iotation, are more prominent in Zeta subdialect), that are common in all Montenegrin vernaculars.
On [[sociolinguistic]] level, the language has been classified as a dialect of [[Serbian language|Serbian]], being previously a dialect of [[Serbo-Croatian language|Serbo-Croatian]]. The Montenegrin constitution currently defines Montenegrin as the official language. Since the campaign for independence, a movement for recognition of the [[Montenegrin language]] as separate from Serbian has emerged, finding the basis for separate language identity mostly in above-mentioned dialectal specifics. The current pro-independence government did not particularly embrace the movement, but did not oppose it either; trying to overcome the situation, the language school classes were renamed from "Serbian language" to "native language", with fierce opposition from pro-Serbian circles. In the 2011 census, 42.88% of Montenegrin citizens stated that they speak the Serbian language, while 36.97% stated that they speak Montenegrin.
==Religion==
{{further|Religion in Montenegro}}
Most Montenegrins are [[Orthodox Christians]], belonging to either the [[Serbian Orthodox Church|Serbian]] or the [[Montenegrin Orthodox Church]] 246,733, Montenegrins Suni Muslims 12,758, but there are also significant small numbers of Montenegrins belonging to [[Roman Catholic]] 5,667 or [[atheism]] 5,867.
==Culture==
{{Main|Culture of Montenegro}}
[[File:Montenegrin Herzegovinian costume.jpg|Male folk costume from Montenegro|thumb|left]]
The most important dimension of Montenegrin culture is the [[ethic]] ideal of ''Čojstvo i Junaštvo'', roughly translated as "Humanity and Bravery". Another result of its centuries long [[warrior]] history, is the unwritten code of [[Chivalry]] that [[Marko Miljanov]], one of the most famous warriors in his time, tried to describe in his book ''Primjeri Čojstva i Junaštva'' ([[Examples of Humanity and Bravery]]) at the end of 19th century. Its main principles stipulate that to deserve a true respect of its people, a warrior has to show virtues of [[integrity]], [[dignity]], [[humility]], [[self-sacrifice]] for the just cause if necessary, [[respect]] for others, and [[wiktionary:Rectitude|Rectitude]] along with the [[bravery]]. In the old days of battle, it resulted in Montenegrins fighting to the death, since being captured was considered the greatest [[shame]].
It is still very much engraved, to a greater or lesser extent, on every Montenegrin's ethical belief system and it is essential in order to truly understand them. Coming from non-warrior backgrounds, most other South-Slavic nations never fully grasped its meaning, resulting in reactions which ranged from totally ignoring it, in the best case, to mocking it and equating it with backwardness.
Most of extraordinary examples of Montenegrin conduct during its long history can be traced to the code. Its importance is also reflected in the generally very low level of religiousness in the Montenegrin population. It is probably fair to say that the ethical beliefs of Montenegrins more closely match those of [[Stoicism]] than those of [[Christianity]].
Montenegrins' long-standing history of fighting for independence is invariably linked with strong traditions of folk [[epic poetry]]. A prominent feature of Montenegrin culture is the [[gusle]], a one-stringed instrument played by a story-teller who sings or recites stories of heroes and battles in [[decasyllable|decasyllabic verse]]. These traditions are stronger in the northern parts of the country and are also shared with people in eastern [[Herzegovina]], western [[Serbia]], northern [[Albania]] and central [[Dalmatia]].
On the substratum of folk epic poetry, poets like [[Petar II Petrović Njegoš]], the Montenegrin icon, have created their own expression. Njegoš's epic book ''Gorski Vijenac'' (''[[The Mountain Wreath]]'') presents the central point of Montenegrin culture.
On the other hand, Adriatic cities like [[Herceg-Novi]], [[Kotor]] and [[Budva]] had strong trade and maritime tradition, and presented an entry-point for [[Venetian Republic|Venetian]], [[Republic of Ragusa|Ragusan]] and other [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholic]] influences. Possession of those cities often changed, but their population was basically a mixture of people with Orthodox and Catholic religions and traditions. These cities were incorporated into Montenegro only after the fall of Austria-Hungary. In those cities, stronger influences of medieval and renaissance [[architecture]], [[painting]], and [[lyric poetry]] can be found.
==Notable Montenegrins==
{{main|List of Montenegrins}}
* [[Michael Anthony Stepovich]], former Governor of Alaska
* [[Nikola Vučević]], professional basketball player for the [[Orlando Magic]].
* [[Nikola Peković]], professional basketball player for the [[Minnesota Timberwolves]].
* [[Jorge Capitanich]], chief of staff of Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner
* [[Stevan Jovetic]], professional football player for [[Manchester City F.C.]]
==See also==
{{Portal|Montenegro}}
* [[Montenegrins in Albania]]
* [[Montenegrin Argentine]]
* [[Montenegrins of Bosnia and Herzegovina]]
* [[Montenegrin Canadian]]
* [[Montenegrins of Croatia]]
* [[Montenegrins of Kosovo]]
* [[Montenegrins of Serbia]]
** [[Montenegrins of Vojvodina]]
* [[Serbs of Montenegro]]
* [[Lovćenac]]
*[[Kruščić]]
*[[Savino Selo]]
* [[Vrakë]]
*[[Montenegrin Australian]]
==References==
<small><sup>0</sup> Note: The majority of people originating from within Montenegro's present borders declare ethnic affiliation in censuses as Serb. Thus, it is difficult to establish the exact numbers; up to few million people in Serbia and BiH might have one or more ancestors from Montenegro.</small>
<references/>
{{Montenegro topics |collapsed}}
{{Ethnic groups of Montenegro}}
{{Slavic ethnic groups}}
{{Commons category|Montenegrins}}
==External links==
* [http://www.montenegro.org/ The Montenegrin Association of America]
* [http://www.montenegrina.net/pages/pages1/antropologija/o_etnogenezi_crnogoraca.htm Špiro Kulišić: O Etnogenezi Crnogoraca (''On Ethnogenesis of Montenegrins'')] (in [[Montenegrin language|Montenegrin]])
* {{sr icon}} [http://www.istorijabalkana.com/TEKSTOVI/Nikola_Vukcevic_Etnicko_porijeklo_Crnogoraca.pdf Ethnic Origin of Montenegrins] by Nikola Vukčević, 1981 (pdf)
* [http://portalanalitika.me/drustvo/tema/47188-stav-ko-iri-laibajke-o-porijeklu-crnogorskih-plemena-1-.html Article about Montenegrin tribes (in montenegrin language)]
{{Commons category|Montenegrins}}
[[Category:Ethnic groups in Europe]]
[[Category:Ethnic groups in Montenegro]]
[[Category:Ethnic groups in Serbia]]
[[Category:Ethnic groups in Vojvodina]]
[[Category:Slavic ethnic groups|Montenegrins]]
[[Category:Montenegrin people|*]]
[[Category:Montenegrin society]]
[[Category:South Slavs]]