|
Slavonia’s Donauschwaben
By
Rosina T. Schmidt
Slavonia is the agriculturally lush area between the Rivers of
Drava and Sava, and bordering in the West by the River Ilova and on the East by the
Danube. It has excellent soil and climate in which almost everything grows but the
citrus fruit and bananas.
Slavonia was part of the Triple Kingdom of Croatia:
Croatia-Dalmatia-Slavonia during the reign of the first Croatian king, Tomislav
(910-928), who was crowned by the Pope in 924. Later, when the dynasty lacked a male
heir, Hungary forcibly annexed Croatia to the Hungarian crown after the defeat of
the king Petar Svacic at the Battle of Karlovac.
After the Turks won the Battle of Mohacs in 1526, the Kingdom
passed into the hands of the Habsburg Archduke Ferdinand, the brother-in-law of the
fallen king Louis, who had no male heir and so both Hungary and Croatia became part
of the Austrian domains.
Even prior to the Turk’s 140 years of occupation Slavonia had a
large Germanic population, primarily consisting of merchants, artisans and military
officers with their families.
After the Turks were expelled by the German and Polish troops
in 1688 there was hardly any population left. The southern part of the formal
Kingdom of Slavonia became Habsburg’s Military Border, populated by mostly German
and Serb soldier/farmers. The northern part, also known then as civil Slavonia, was
thinly settled by the invitation of the Habsburg’s Emperor by the Croats and Serbs
who managed to flee from Bosnia. Bosnia, just south of the River Sava, was still to
be occupied by the Turks for another one hundred years.
Both Croats and Serbs were mainly herders in the thickly
forested land and only raised enough crops for their own needs. Their motto “if you
work harder you have only to pay more taxes to the Emperor” influenced their way of
life until the present day.
Slavonia ca. 1995,
Microsoft Map Point
The very first German settlement was German Miholjac,
established in 1744, followed by Kutjevo in 1771 and Djakovo 30 year later, which
was established by the settlers directly from the Black Forrest.
The large percentage of the German officers in the Military
border contributed to a high percentage of Burgers in the cities, who built their
cities in the Germanic style by their own architects, builders and artisans.
Due to a huge supply of oak forest in Slavonia, besides the
logging industry, the potash industry was one of the first industries to be
established. The enterprising settlers were all German-Bohemians. Glass making was
the next undertaking, due to rich quartz deposits and an abundance of firewood. The
German-Bohemians established glass-making colonies as well.
So far most of the settlers were artisans, bureaucrats and
soldiers.
In the 1860’s the Military border was abolished. Slavonia,
including Croatia east of it, changed hands from Austria to Hungary. Both shared the
parliament in Budapest.
Austro-Hungary in 1910
#16 Greater Hungary,
all other areas under Austrian jurisdiction
The first agricultural settlers came from the Batschka, as they
could buy land in Slavonia much more cheaply and only had to cross the Danube River
to be back in the Batschka. Later many Syrmien Danube Swabians spread all over
Eastern Slavonia and in no time established farms identical to their farms in
Batschka and Syrmien.
However, once again, they had to clear-cut the forest and start
from scratch all over just as their ancestors did one hundred years earlier when
arriving there from the Germanic lands of the Holy Roman Empire.
Another group of settlers to Slavonia came from the Swabian
Turkey, the counties Baranya, Tolna and Somogy. Swabian Turkey is just north of
Slavonia and the River Drava is the border between them. Here too by the second and
the third generation they transformed the wilderness they found into the fruit
basket of the region.
The largest influx of Danube Swabians was around 1880, which
came from all three regions, Batschka, Syrmien and the Swabian Turkey. Some settlers
arrived from the Banat. There was still plenty of farming land available and it was
affordable too. The same types of villages were established as in the former areas,
the same language and customs too. All as a private initiative. However, in Slavonia
there were not many fully Danube Swabian villages or cities, but mostly mixed
villages with villagers from different ethnic backgrounds: Croats, Donauschwaben,
Tcheck, Slovak, Serbs, Hungarians, Jews and even some Gypsies.
Only 15% of the population lived in the cities and the rest
worked in the agriculture, raising mainly wheat and corn for their own use as well
for the market. They harvested hemp, sugar beets, sunflowers and flax for industry.
These were delivered directly to the nearby factories.
Except for Horses, all other farm animals, cows, pigs, sheep,
as well as the geese were kept by the shepherds on the community hotter. Vineyards
and plum orchards were in abundance in hillier regions and the plum brandy RAKIJA is
well known even today to most of us.
As per Danube Swabian tradition each farmer had also a trade
skill on the side, to fill in his winter hours. He was a weaver, tailor, clog maker,
bee keeper or carpenter. The life in Slavonia was abundantly rich and rewarding to
our Donauschwaben.
Map by Rosina T.
Schmidt, 2002
After the Peace of Trianon in 1918, when the Austro-Hungarian
Empire was divided in 8 different parts, no new settlers were coming from the
Swabian Turkey, as that was now in Hungarian hands. It was also the time of the
beginning of birth control, learned from the Croatians (!) and the ever-increasing
need of new land lessened.
While our thrifty and hardworking Danube Swabians worked their
land, built larger houses, increased their stock and generally prospered admirably,
their Croatian and Serb neighbours, who still practiced their former herder life
styles, had their own songs to described their Schwaben neighbour:
“Švabo ore I sije, Šokac sedi I pije.” (The Schwob is
plowing and seeding, while Šokac* relaxes eating and drinking.)
In the Census of 1931 Slavonia is supposed to have had a Danube
Swabian population of 160 000. Most likely much more, as in many places the Danube
Swabian numbers were artificially put down, due to the increasing of the Croatian
national feelings.
However, those same Croatians did forget that it was the
Germans who freed that area from the Turks that it was their Emperor who invited
them to settle there after 1690.
It is interesting to note, that the ethnic German population of
Croatia, Slavonia and Bosnia in 1942 was only 3% of the total population, yet they
collectively raised 46% of States needs on wheat and corn.
As we all know the good life for Danube Swabians ended in
Slavonia during WWII. Most of those who did not manage to flee ahead of the Red Army
in 1944 ended in Stalin’s Slave labour camps or in Tito’s Starvation Camps. The
former had it better than the later.
In the Census of 1948 there were only 16,000 Danube Swabians in
all of Yugoslavia, which would bring it to about 4,000 in Slavonia. Most of those
finally could leave after Stalin’s death in 1953, when the Iron Curtain boarders
were slightly opened.
*Šokac = Slavonia's Slav
Donauschwaben Population
in the Slavonia Census of 1931
as per
"Geografsko-Istoriski index" (official 1966)
Contributed by Josef Mayer
|
Agram County |
total 6485 |
|
Krizevci County |
116 |
|
Agram |
6287 |
|
Krizevci County |
33 |
|
Gracani |
10 |
|
Lonjica |
10 |
|
Ladac |
16 |
|
Raven |
14 |
|
Sesvete |
13 |
|
Sveti Ivan Zabno |
34 |
|
Stenjevac |
32 |
|
Vojakovac |
10 |
|
Vrapce |
127 |
|
Zamoborci |
15 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bjelovar County |
690 |
|
Kutina County |
333 |
|
Bjelovar |
152 |
|
Gornja Jelenska |
14 |
|
Brezocac |
28 |
|
Gracenica |
10 |
|
Cadjavac |
20 |
|
Ilova |
35 |
|
Galovac |
20 |
|
Kutina |
121 |
|
Gross-Pisanitz |
375 |
|
Ludine |
11 |
|
Ivanska |
33 |
|
Popovaca |
15 |
|
Kapela |
25 |
|
Respusnica |
34 |
|
Predavac |
18 |
|
Srpsko Seliste |
83 |
|
Trojstvo |
19 |
|
Zbjegovaca |
10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Brod County |
2041 |
|
Ludbreg County |
18 |
|
Andrijevci |
71 |
|
Ludbreg |
18 |
|
Bicko Selo |
13 |
|
|
|
|
Brodski Varos |
129 |
|
Nasice County |
3537 |
|
Garcin |
122 |
|
Bankovci |
127 |
|
Gross Kopanitz |
263 |
|
Boksic |
74 |
|
Podvijensko Bukovlje |
12 |
|
Budinci |
45 |
|
Sapci |
24 |
|
Cacinci |
635 |
|
Slavonski Brod |
1167 |
|
Deutsch-Bresnitz |
532 |
|
Selna |
12 |
|
Dolci |
30 |
|
Staro Topolje |
104 |
|
Donja Moticina |
34 |
|
Svilaj |
19 |
|
Donja Pistana |
18 |
|
Trnjani |
87 |
|
Donje Predrijevo |
112 |
|
Vrba |
18 |
|
Fericanci |
135 |
|
|
|
|
Gazije |
14 |
|
Cabar County |
391 |
|
Harkanovci |
12 |
|
Draga |
251 |
|
Klokocevci |
98 |
|
Prezid |
140 |
|
Koska |
141 |
|
|
|
|
Kutovi |
14 |
|
Cakovec County |
220 |
|
Martin |
10 |
|
Cakovec |
204 |
|
Orahovica |
73 |
|
Mursko Seliste |
16 |
|
Podgorac |
171 |
|
|
|
|
Pribisevci |
19 |
|
Daruvar County |
2668 |
|
Razbojiste |
24 |
|
Bastajski Brdljani |
87 |
|
Saptinovci |
19 |
|
Bastei (Veliki Bastaji) |
351 |
|
Seoma |
13 |
|
Blagorodavac |
485 |
|
Stara Josava |
14 |
|
Cjepidlake |
61 |
|
Susine |
199 |
|
Daruvar |
172 |
|
Velimirovaz |
950 |
|
Daruvarski Brestovac |
20 |
|
Zdenci |
24 |
|
Daruvarski Uljanik |
407 |
|
|
|
|
Dezanovac |
34 |
|
Nova Gradiska County |
290 |
|
Donji Daruvar |
25 |
|
Cernik |
25 |
|
Gornji Daruvar |
34 |
|
Davor |
10 |
|
Koncanica |
17 |
|
Medari |
14 |
|
Korenicani |
13 |
|
Nova Gradiska |
97 |
|
Krestelovac |
68 |
|
Nova Kapela |
31 |
|
Miljanovac |
235 |
|
Okucani |
31 |
|
Miokovicevo |
211 |
|
Stara Gradiska |
20 |
|
Puklica |
290 |
|
Staro Petrovo Selo |
51 |
|
Sirac |
44 |
|
Stivica |
11 |
|
Trojeglava |
24 |
|
|
|
|
Uljanik |
79 |
|
Novi Marof County |
36 |
|
Vrijeska |
11 |
|
Ljubescica |
22 |
|
|
|
|
Varazdinske Toplice |
14 |
|
Djakovo County |
12351 |
|
|
|
|
Beketinici |
29 |
|
Novska County |
99 |
|
Bracevci |
78 |
|
Banova Jaruga |
22 |
|
Budrovci |
93 |
|
Lipovljani |
18 |
|
Cajkovci |
134 |
|
Novska |
31 |
|
Djakovacka Breznica |
10 |
|
Piljenice |
28 |
|
Djakovacki Hrkanovci |
22 |
|
|
|
|
Djakovo |
1597 |
|
Ogulin County |
22 |
|
Djurdjanci |
159 |
|
Ogulin |
22 |
|
Drenje |
465 |
|
|
|
|
Drenjski Slatnik |
576 |
|
Pakrac County |
1592 |
|
Forkusevci |
509 |
|
Antunovac |
538 |
|
Gasinci |
672 |
|
Badljevina |
19 |
|
Gorjani |
677 |
|
Dobrovac |
244 |
|
Gorjanski Ivanovci |
58 |
|
Filipovac |
94 |
|
Krndija |
1345 |
|
Gaj |
24 |
|
Kesinci |
563 |
|
Gornji Sredjani |
20 |
|
Koritna |
61 |
|
Kapetanovo Polje |
246 |
|
Lapovci |
155 |
|
Kukunjevac |
16 |
|
Levanjski Varos |
35 |
|
Lipik |
67 |
|
Majar |
69 |
|
Pakrac |
125 |
|
Mrzovic |
575 |
|
Pakracka Poljana |
25 |
|
Nabrdje |
44 |
|
Plostine |
20 |
|
Piskorevci |
167 |
|
Prokoparka |
27 |
|
Potnjani |
13 |
|
Strizicevac |
20 |
|
Preslatnici |
42 |
|
Toranj |
107 |
|
Pridvorje |
260 |
|
|
|
|
Punitovci |
31 |
|
Petrinja County |
63 |
|
Djakovcka Satnica |
460 |
|
Petrinja |
47 |
|
Djakovcki Selci |
411 |
|
Sunja |
16 |
|
Semeljci |
562 |
|
|
|
|
Siroko Polje |
150 |
|
Podravska Slatina County |
1752 |
|
Strizivojna |
30 |
|
Bakic |
14 |
|
Tomasanci |
643 |
|
Ceralije |
13 |
|
Trnava |
71 |
|
Dobrovic |
10 |
|
Djakovo Cont. |
|
|
Donje Bazje |
163 |
|
Viskovci |
487 |
|
Gornja Bukovica |
50 |
|
Vrbica |
291 |
|
Humvaros |
65 |
|
Vrpolje |
123 |
|
Kapinci |
202 |
|
Vucevci |
479 |
|
Macute |
18 |
|
Vuka |
205 |
|
Medinci |
204 |
|
|
|
|
Mikleus |
33 |
|
Djurdjevac County |
34 |
|
Noskovci` |
19 |
|
Djurdjevac County |
21 |
|
Nova Bukovica |
111 |
|
Pitomaca |
13 |
|
Novaki |
147 |
|
|
|
|
Podravska Slatina |
180 |
|
Donji Miholjac County |
550 |
|
Radosavci |
197 |
|
Cadjavica |
23 |
|
Slatinski Drenovac |
24 |
|
Crnac |
35 |
|
Sopje |
111 |
|
Crnkovci |
28 |
|
Vaska |
122 |
|
Donji Miholjac |
86 |
|
Vocinski Hum |
13 |
|
Golinci |
85 |
|
Vojlovicki Brezovljani |
11 |
|
Kucanci |
21 |
|
|
|
|
Kunisinci |
11 |
|
Pregrada County |
40 |
|
Marijanci |
25 |
|
Hum na Sutli |
40 |
|
Podravska Moslavina |
102 |
|
|
|
|
Podravski Podgajci |
22 |
|
Prelog County |
40 |
|
Radikovci |
17 |
|
Donja Dubrava |
18 |
|
Rakitovica |
34 |
|
Kotoriba |
10 |
|
Viljevo |
61 |
|
Prelog |
12 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dugo Selo County |
21 |
|
Samobor County |
62 |
|
Dugo Selo County |
21 |
|
Norsic Selo |
11 |
|
|
|
|
Samobor |
51 |
|
Esseg (Osijek) County |
16451 |
|
|
|
|
Aljmas |
140 |
|
Sisak County |
233 |
|
Bijelo Brdo |
36 |
|
Galdovo |
16 |
|
Cepin |
393 |
|
Pokupski Brest |
33 |
|
Dalj |
285 |
|
Sisak |
184 |
|
Dopsin |
12 |
|
|
|
|
Erdut |
83 |
|
Slavonska Pozega County |
2674 |
|
Ernestinovo |
836 |
|
Alinovci |
23 |
|
Osijek |
9731 |
|
Bektez |
11 |
|
Hrastin |
57 |
|
Bertelovci |
10 |
|
Jovanovac |
792 |
|
Caglin |
103 |
|
Koprina |
36 |
|
Ciglenik |
185 |
|
Krawitz |
450 |
|
Darkovac |
265 |
|
Laslovo |
62 |
|
Eminovci |
13 |
|
Orlovnjak |
126 |
|
Gabarje |
26 |
|
Retfala |
1490 |
|
Jaksic |
87 |
|
Sarvas (Hirschfeld) |
1157 |
|
Jurkovac |
48 |
|
Tenje |
709 |
|
Kaptol |
85 |
|
Tenjski Antunovac |
32 |
|
Kula |
85 |
|
Vladislavci |
22 |
|
Kutjevo |
111 |
|
|
|
|
Mihaljevci |
120 |
|
|
|
|
Pleternica |
60 |
|
Garesnica County |
1945 |
|
Poljanska |
32 |
|
Berek |
24 |
|
Porec (Josefsdorf) |
420 |
|
Bresljanica |
285 |
|
Sapna |
13 |
|
Disnik |
38 |
|
Slavonska Pozega |
233 |
|
Eichendorf (Hrastovac) |
740 |
|
Tominovci |
117 |
|
Garesnica |
40 |
|
Vetovo |
66 |
|
Kaniska Iva |
31 |
|
Vilic Selo |
18 |
|
Ladislav |
95 |
|
Zarilac |
28 |
|
Mlinska |
294 |
|
|
|
|
Palesnik |
278 |
|
Valpovo County |
1914 |
|
Pasijan |
73 |
|
Belisce |
154 |
|
Trnovicki Popovac |
47 |
|
Bistrinci |
41 |
|
|
|
|
Gat |
91 |
|
Glina County |
14 |
|
Josipovac (Ober Josefsdorf) |
539 |
|
Glina |
14 |
|
Ladimirevci |
193 |
|
|
|
|
Petrijevci |
193 |
|
Gospic County |
13 |
|
Sag |
12 |
|
Gospic |
13 |
|
Tiborjanci |
10 |
|
|
|
|
Valpovo |
313 |
|
Grubisno Polje County |
288 |
|
Veliskovci |
325 |
|
Gornja Kovacica |
93 |
|
|
|
|
Grubisno Polje |
88 |
|
Velika Gorica County |
20 |
|
Ivanovo Selo |
15 |
|
Velika Gorica |
20 |
|
Mali Grdjevac |
16 |
|
|
|
|
Topolovnica |
10 |
|
Virovitica County |
5276 |
|
Veliki Grdjevac |
66 |
|
Bacevac |
85 |
|
|
|
|
Brezik (Georgsdorf) |
180 |
|
Ivanec County |
44 |
|
Budanica |
100 |
|
Klenovnik |
11 |
|
Cabuna |
231 |
|
Lepoglava |
14 |
|
Gaciste |
166 |
|
Marusevec |
19 |
|
Gradina |
13 |
|
|
|
|
Kapan (Antonsdorf) |
300 |
|
Jastrebarsko County |
12 |
|
Klisa |
31 |
|
Jastrebarsko |
12 |
|
Lozan |
11 |
|
|
|
|
Lukac |
121 |
|
Karlovac County |
390 |
|
Naudovac |
51 |
|
Draganici |
15 |
|
Nova Krivaja (1921: 136) |
16 |
|
Duga Resa |
82 |
|
Oresac |
184 |
|
Karlovac |
293 |
|
Pcelic |
13 |
|
|
|
|
Rezovac |
30 |
|
Koprivnica County |
42 |
|
Rusani |
16 |
|
Kostanjica Hrvatska |
42 |
|
Spisic-Bukovica |
718 |
|
|
|
|
Suhopolje (Theresowatz) |
233 |
|
Krapina County |
28 |
|
Suhopoljska Borava |
152 |
|
Krapina |
28 |
|
Turanovac |
66 |
|
|
|
|
Virovitica |
2559 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vrbovsko County |
13 |
|
|
|
|
Vrbovsko |
13 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Zlatar County |
20 |
|
|
|
|
Mace |
20 |
|
Bibliography:=
Erwin Boehm “Das Deutschtum und seine kulturgeographische
Leistung” Verlag von S. Hirzel in Leipzig, 1942
|
