Montenegro is a country with beautiful nature in Europe. We want to explore the culture of the people of Montenegro. Stay with Saed News.
Montenegro (in English: Montenegro) is a country located in Southeastern Europe, with its capital in Podgorica, and it lies along the Adriatic Sea. It shares borders with Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo, and Croatia. Montenegro has been a member of the United Nations since June 28, 2006. The name Montenegro means "Black Mountain" and has been used to refer to a large part of the country since the 15th century. The climate of Montenegro is Mediterranean in the coastal regions, with heavy rainfall observed from September to April. The inland areas experience more variable weather. Due to its elevation, the country has colder winters compared to other countries. In other parts, the climate is milder, and Montenegrin summers are typically warm and dry.
Montenegro is considered one of the culturally rich countries. The people of this country are not envious and are content with their lives. The lifestyle in Montenegro follows a routine pattern, and it is evident that cultural practices are based on specific routines. The official language of the country is Montenegrin. However, people also speak Serbian, Bosnian, Albanian, and Croatian. According to a 2011 census, most people identified Serbian as their mother tongue, while 37% reported Montenegrin as their primary language.
Montenegro has numerous religious sites. The main religion is Christianity, and historically, Montenegrins have belonged to the Serbian Orthodox Church. The second-largest religion is Islam, with over 118,000 followers. These Muslims are divided based on native language into Bosniak Muslims and Montenegrin Muslims. The third-largest religious group is Roman Catholics. Many tourists, especially those who wish to pay respect to holy places, visit this country for its religious significance.
National dress, whether in full or in part, is one of the most popular items in any tourist market. The national costume of Montenegro is often remembered by visitors because of its distinctive headgear called the "kapa." This Montenegrin hat is black and white with a red portion, and every part of it is deeply symbolic. The red color symbolizes the blood shed by Montenegrins for their homeland. It also represents mourning for the dead and the former greatness of the country. The five golden stripes recall 500 years of foreign oppression. Sometimes these hats are decorated with either the old or new national emblem.
There are many holidays in Montenegro. The most vibrant festivals are held in Kotor. For example, the Mimosa Festival is celebrated throughout February. Another flower, the camellia, also has its own celebration day in April. Easter remains one of the most important religious holidays and is celebrated all over Montenegro. A remarkable feature of Easter is the abundant feasting. People dance in the streets, organize concerts, and perform with orchestras right on the city streets. Montenegro is also famous for its wine fair held in Podgorica. If you're more into books or films, you should visit the book fair and film industry festival, which starts in May. Dance festivals are held at the same time.
Montenegrin cuisine is dominated by Balkan dishes with Mediterranean, Turkish, German, and Hungarian influences. It also has Slavic elements. The most common dish among Serbs and Montenegrins is spiced meat, especially šalitsa. People in Montenegro love sausages, especially a type many recognize as ćevapi (or ćevapčići). Surprisingly, even cookies in Montenegro are made of meat—referring to grilled meat patties. The key ingredients in Montenegrin cooking are cheese and vegetables. The Senicki and Lipski cheeses are highly respected. Vegetables are eaten frequently. Fish and seafood dishes are also popular. Trout is stuffed with plums, carp is cooked in cream, and rice pilaf is served with seafood—local chefs are remarkably imaginative.
The most popular dessert, referred to as “sweet” by Montenegrins, is a pie filled with cottage cheese, similar to burek with cheese and meat. Montenegrins love cheese so much that they even cook it with plums. Walnuts are also very popular. Coffee is the favorite drink of Montenegrins. Tea is always served with honey and herbs. There's also a wide variety of fresh juices. Wine lovers should try Vranac, a local wine. In addition to grape-based wines, the country also produces rakija, a type of brandy.
The culture and lifestyle of Montenegrins are very similar to that of Serbs. However, geographic isolation due to mountainous terrain, centuries of resistance against Ottoman rule for independence, and a militaristic way of life have slowed social development. The main traditional arts of Montenegrins include wood and stone carving, metalworking, embroidery, oral poetry, music, and dance. The currency of Montenegro, like most countries in the Eurozone, is the euro. Montenegrins make up about 45% of the country's ethnic population.
