Montenegrin cap
The Montenegrin cap (Serbian: Црногорска капа, Crnogorska kapa) is a cap traditionally worn by Montenegrins. Originally worn by males, it is now not exclusively for them.
Many writers [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] told that symbolic meaning Montenegrin cap was in some way associated with Kosovo Myth, and that her inventor was Montenegrin Prince-Bishop Njegoš , but it was all based on one single account of Vuk Stefanović Karadžić, a Serbian linguist who was determined to assimilate Montenegrin culture to Serbian nation by means of propaganda. However, his claims appeared to be false [6] . Vuk Karadžić claimed, in order to assimilate Montenegrins, that red on the cap represented blood spilled on Kosovo field, and that red colour was sign of grief for Kosovo defeat, added by Njegoš. But long before Njegoš same variant of cap has been worn [7], as it can be seen on various paintings of Montenegrins, and Croats of Lika and Herzegovina have worn almost the same cap as Montenegrins for centuries. The Serbian cross was introduced during Occupation of Montenegro by Serbian forces in 1918, when caps with initials of Montenegrin king Nicholas I were forbidden to wear. When Russian diplomats in Montenegro described Montenegrin cap they said it had initials of ruler, floral motifs, double-headed Montenegrin eagle, or person's own initials, but they never mentioned Serbian cross. [8] . Montenegrin commander Božo Šestović who died in battle in 1905 was identified by his Montenegrin cap, which had his initials on it. [9].
Prince Danilo in the many variations introduced his initials "ДI" (Danilo the 1st), while his successor Prince Nikola in the second half of the 19th century replaced it with "Н.I", quite often alongside the letter "Ж" signifying "Живио" (Long live!).
During the Communist era in the second half of the 20th century instead of the Serb cross the Communist Red Star was implanted between the golden stripes, although it was not spread amongst the people and never accepted. Several years ago a new version appeared with a large modern (2004) Coat of Arms of Montenegro spread across the cap's red top, that is becoming increasingly popular as a sign of the Montenegrin nation's independence and sovereignty. A female version of the cap was introduced, so far worn almost exclusively by men.
See also
External links
References
- ^ "Crna Gora i Crnogorci" by Vuk Stefanović Karadžić
- ^ "O najstarijoj kapi kod Jugoslovena..." by Miodrag Vlahović
- ^ Crna Gora... Narodni život i običaji" by Andrija Jovićević
- ^ "Crnogorska muška kapa" by Zorica Radulović
- ^ "Fizicki lik i izgled Njegosa" by Jovan Vukmanović
- ^ Miroslav Ćosović (2013), Njegoš je izmislio srpsku narodnost Crnogoraca
- ^ Istorija Crne Gore, knjiga III
- ^ Knyaz Dm. Golicin (1898, Saint Petersburg): U sinya morya
- ^ Svetislav Šestović, Šestovići kroz vremena