Incorporation of Arebica in Sandžak and its significance in the process of Muslim womens’ education

Abstract

Arebica is mentioned in the literature in the context of Aljamiado literature, considering that Aljamiado literature was written in this script (a form of Aebica adapted to the phonetic spelling of the Serbian and Bosnian languages, used mainly by Muslims). Aljamiado literature, as well as religious and other literature, were printed in Arebica. Thus, in some schools in Sandžak, even in the last decade of the 20th century, Arebica was still used. In this paper, it will be demonstrated how the Arebica was created, how it was used in Sandžak and the role it played in the literacy of Muslim women in the 20th century, considering their departure from ‘secular’ schools. The aim of this study is to survey the use of the Arebica among the Muslim population in Serbia from the perspective of the education in the 20th century with a special emphasis on the women, but also to recall the circumstances that contributed to the existence of a special culture of language and writing which will remain in our region until the end of the 20th century. In addition to the scientific literature, the paper will also present transcripts based on conversations with interlocutors in the field (Tutin, Novi Pazar and Pešter Municipality).

Keywords

• arebica
• mekteb
• education
• women
• muslims
• sandžak