Baština (Jan 2010)
Daily life and residents' organization in Serbian enclave Prilužje in Kosovo and Metohia
Abstract
In this study we tried to represent some specifics of daily life in village Prilužje in Kosovo and Metohia, whose residents live surrounded by Albanian population since NATO troops entered Kosovo and Metohia in 1999., and who have very weak connections with northern part of province, primarily with Kosovska Mitrovica, as well as with central Serbia. This is the village whose majority of residents primarily supported themselves by working in industrial facilities rather than farming their land since 1950s. Starting from June 10th, 1999., none of Serbian employees work in PCSM 'Kosovo' in Obilić, where used to work more than 75% actively working village residents. That had left obvious consequences on the village, which forced villagers to turn to farming, as less profitable activity, having in mind the separation of expanded families and land division (inheritance based) and the fact that an average family owns 30 to 50 acres of land. Post-conflict apathy that accumulated during past 10 years, resulted in poor interpersonal relation amongst village residents. The increasingly faster integration of some individuals in so-called 'Kosovo institutions' system, makes this, once third by size Serbian village in Kosovo and Metohia, more and more isolated from the rest of Serbia and more involved in different system. One of few 'bright spots' in daily life of villagers represents gathering of villagers during the patron saint celebrations, or joint activities, such as construction of Church of Transfiguration of Christ in 2009., which caused feeling of solidarity amongst villagers. The church, being the new gathering place and the source of psychological strength, gives at least partial hope for survival to local population in the land of their ancestors, which is of priceless importance to Serbian farmer. Self-organization of villagers in construction of the church could be observed as proof of thesis that the church is 'people's spiritual community', as well as a mean of social promotion, escape from isolation and a predisposition for improved inter- personal relations.
