Religion and Language in the Function of (De)construction of Montenegrin Identity

Abstract

In the 19^th century Montenegrins had all that was necessary to round up their national identity: centuries of statehood, their unique linguistic features, the Autocephalous Orthodox Church, awareness of their own origin, their true heroes, unique folk costume, national coat of arms and national flag. The process of creating Montenegrin nation was interrupted by losing the country and Autocephalous Church in the early years of 20^th century.  Awakening of the Montenegrin national consciousness, rebuilding the statehood, making Montenegrin the official language, adopting the Law on freedom of religion and the need to rebuild Montenegrin Autocephalous Church alarmed the creators of projects oriented towards creating “the big nation†to reopen their rhetoric and intentions from 1918 and generally 1920s whilst using the well know model referred to as “endangermentâ€. The model consists of fabricating myths, creating lies and application of ethno-confessional model of assimilation in unlimited proportions by the media and politics.