Status of monument -> National monument
Pursuant to Article V para. 4 Annex 8 of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Article 39 para. 1 of the Rules of Procedure of the Commission to Preserve National Monuments, at a session held from 26 to 28 March 2012 the Commission adopted a
D E C I S I O N
I
The sepulchral ensemble of the Jablanice harem in Novi Grad, Municipality Novi Grad, is hereby designated as a National Monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina (hereinafter: the National Monument).
The National Monument consists of the harem with nišan tombstones.
The National Monument is located on a site designated as cadastral plot nos. 22/1, 22/2, 19/2, 7/48, 7/9, 6/32, 7/1, 6/34 (old survey), Land Register entry nos. 2157 and 3034, cadastral municipality SP Novi Grad, corresponding to c.p. nos. 342/1, 341, 231, 337, 225 (new survey), c.m. Novi Grad, Municipality Novi Grad, Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The provisions relating to protection and rehabilitation measures set forth by the Law on the Implementation of the Decisions of the Commission to Preserve National Monuments, established pursuant to Annex 8 of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Official Gazette of Republika Srpska no. 9/02, 70/06 and 64/08) shall apply to the National Monument.
II
The Government of Republika Srpska shall be responsible for providing the legal, scientific, technical, administrative and financial measures necessary for the protection, conservation, restoration and presentation of the National Monument.
The Commission to Preserve National Monuments (hereinafter: the Commission) shall determine the technical requirements and secure the funds for preparing and setting up signboards with basic details of the monument and the Decision to proclaim the property a National Monument.
III
To ensure the on-going protection of the property the following protection measures are hereby stipulated:
- all works are prohibited other than conservation-restoration works, routine maintenance works and landscaping works on the complex, and works designed for the presentation of the monument, with the approval of the ministry responsible for regional planning in Republika Srpska and under the expert supervision of the heritage protection authority of Republika Srpska;
- the nišan tombstones shall be documented and a geodetic drawing produced;
- the epigraphic material of the harem shall be documented and extant graves shall be identified;
- damaged nišan tombstones shall be conserved and presented;
- the harem of the mosque shall be landscaped and damaged nišan tombstones restored;
- the displacement or removal of the nišan tombstones is prohibited.
IV
All executive and area development planning acts are hereby revoked to the extent that they are not in accordance with the provisions of this Decision.
V
Everyone, and in particular the competent authorities of Republika Srpska and urban and municipal authorities, shall refrain from any action that might damage the National Monument or jeopardize the preservation thereof.
VI
The Government of Republika Srpska, the ministry responsible for regional planning in Republika Srpska, the heritage protection authority of Republika Srpska, and the Municipal Authorities in charge of urban planning and land registry affairs, shall be notified of this Decision in order to carry out the measures stipulated in Articles II – V of this Decision, and the Authorized Municipal Court shall be notified for the purposes of registration in the Land Register.
VII
The elucidation and accompanying documentation form an integral part of this Decision, which may be viewed by interested parties on the premises or by accessing the website of the Commission (http://www.kons.gov.ba)
VIII
Pursuant to Art. V para 4 Annex 8 of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, decisions of the Commission are final.
IX
This Decision shall enter into force on the day following its publication in the Official Gazette of BiH.
This Decision has been adopted by the following members of the Commission: Zeynep Ahunbay, Martin Cherry, Amra Hadžimuhamedović, Dubravko Lovrenović, and Ljiljana Ševo.
No: 04.2-2.3-73/12-1
26 March 2012
Sarajevo
Chair of the Commission
Amra Hadžimuhamedović
E l u c i d a t i on
I – INTRODUCTION
Pursuant to Article 2, paragraph 1 of the Law on the Implementation of the Decisions of the Commission to Preserve National Monuments, established pursuant to Annex 8 of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Official Gazette of Republika Srpska nos. 9/02, 70/06 and 64/08), a “National Monument” is an item of public property proclaimed by the Commission to Preserve National Monuments to be a National Monument pursuant to Articles V and VI of Annex 8 of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina and property entered on the Provisional List of National Monuments of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Official Gazette of BiH no. 33/02) until the Commission reaches a final decision on its status, as to which there is no time limit and regardless of whether a petition for the property in question has been submitted or not.
On 22 December 2010 the Board of the Islamic Community of Bosanski Novi submitted a petition/proposal to the Commission to Preserve National Monuments to designate the old town burial ground of Jablanica as a national monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Pursuant to the proposal, the Commission proceeded to carry out the procedure for reaching a final decision to designate the Property as a National Monument, pursuant to Article V para. 4 of Annex 8 and Article 35 of the Rules of Procedure of the Commission to Preserve National Monuments.
Statement of Significance
The Jablanice burial ground in Novi Grad, which is of significant authentic and symbolic value, contains about 400 nišan tombstones, the earliest dating from 1790 and the most recent from 1955. The epitaphs on the tombstones are in Arabic. Most of the tombstones are of the krajiški (frontierland) type, elaborately decorated with cable twist along the edges, sabre or gun motifs and various geometric designs.
II – PRELIMINARY PROCEDURE
In the procedure preceding the adoption of a final decision to proclaim the property a national monument, the following documentation was inspected:
- details of the current condition and use of the property, including a description, architectural survey and photographs
- an inspection of the current condition of the property
- a copy of the cadastral plan
- a copy of the Land Register entry
- historical, architectural and other documentary material on the property, as set out in the bibliography forming part of this Decision
Pursuant to Article V para. 2 of Annex 8 of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Article 37 of the Rules of Procedure of the Commission, before rendering a final decision designating a property as a national monument, the Commission is required to provide the owner of the proposed monument, the person submitting the petition, the institutions responsible for heritage, professional and academic institutions, experts and scholars, as well as other interested parties, to express their views.
Accordingly, the Commission sent a letter ref. 05.2-35.2-8/11-126 dated 20 January 2012 requesting documentation and views on the designation of the Jablanice burial ground, Novi Grad Municipality, as a national monument to Novi Grad Municipality, the court of first instance in Novi Grad, the Ministry of Regional Planning, Construction and the Environment of Republika Srpska, the Institute for the Protection of the Cultural and Natural Heritage of Republika Srpska, and the Board of the Islamic Community of Novi Grad (the owner of the property).
In response, the Commission received a letter ref. 01-624-1/12 dated 23 January 2012 from Novi Grad Municipality notifying the Commission that there was no record of a property or site known as the Jablanice harem in Novi Grad Municipality.
The findings based on the review of the above documentation and the condition of the property are as follows:
1. Details of the property
Location
The burial ground with nišan tombstones is on an area of high ground in the centre of Novi Grad (Bosanski Novi), bounded by Mladena Stojanovića St. (Oslobođenja St.) to the south and west, and Borisa Kidriča St. (Miloša Oblića St.) to the north and east.
The National Monument is located on a site designated as cadastral plot nos. 22/1, 22/2, 19/2, 7/48, 7/9, 6/32, 7/1, 6/34 (old survey), Land Register entry nos. 2157 and 3034, cadastral municipality. SP Novi Grad, Municipality Novi Grad, corresponding to c.p. nos. 342/1, 341, 231, 337, 225 (new survey) Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Historical background
“Novi Grad (Bosanski Novi) is located at the confluence of the Sana and Una, and is mentioned in 1280 as ruled by the lords of Blagaj. In the early 16th century the town was in the possession of Nikola Zrinski, and in 1557 it came under Ottoman rule. The fort was square in plan and was surrounded by a moat with a drawbridge. During the Austro-Hungarian war in the late 17th century, the town was briefly in the hands of the Habsburgs, but under the terms of the Treaty of Karlowitz it was returned to the Porte. In 1726 the fort in Novi was reinforced and enlarged, and in the light of its strategic importance, there was a well-equipped military garrison in the fort until the mid 19th century. All that survives of the fort are the remains of a tower.
After the Austro-Hungarian occupation, a number of representative buildings in the eclectic manner were incorporated into the oriental layout of the town: the present-day Courthouse and the two-storey mixed-use buildings in the town centre.”(1)
The epitaphs on the nišans in the Jablanice burial ground indicate that it dates back to 1790 (1205 AH), the date of the oldest tombstone, and that it remained in use until 1955, after which preparations began on the Majka Partisanska (“Partisan Mother”) memorial complex (1965)(2), which was erected in the middle of the burial ground, by decision of Bosanski Novi Council. The construction of the memorial did extensive damage to the nišan tombstones and the burial ground site, which was nationalised – prior to this it had belonged to the vakufs of the Borough, Vigorijska and Central mosques.
There is nothing in the literature to indicate that the burial ground was the site of any major event in the War of Peoples’ Liberation during World War II(3).
2. Description of the property
The burial ground covers an area of 48 hectares(4). Most of the nišans are lying on the ground, broken or damaged. The epitaphs are in Arabic, and most of the nišans are of the krajiški (frontierland) type, elaborately decorated with cable twist along the edges, sabre or gun motifs and various geometric designs. Some, however, are of simpler design, with a turban and epitaph but no decoration, revealing the marked influence of the types of nišan found in central Bosnia. The women’s nišans are plain, rectangular in section and flat-topped; when decorated, they are simpler than those of the men.
List of particularly fine nišans(5)
1. Damaged man’s nišan with turban, measuring 26x24x138 cm with epitaph in Arabic.
مرحوم و مغفور حسن ين محمد اغا بابك روحيجون الفاتحة 22 شوال 1327
The late Hasan, son of Muhamed Babić.
The late Hasan, son of Muhamed. Fatiha for his soul. 22 Shawwal 1327 (6 November 1909)
2. Man’s nišan with turban, measuring 20x20x128 cm, of fairly simple design with epitaph in Arabic.
يا ناظرا خذ العبرة مني هو ادم بن ابراهيم بك قروبيك روحيجون فاتحة 11 ...سنة 1314
You who see my state, learn a lesson from me. Adem, son of Ibrahim-bey Krupić. Fatiha for his soul. 1314 (1896/97)
3. Broken nišan measuring 21,5x22,5x42 cm.
.......اهل اسلام ارواحيجون سنة 1301
……. souls of all Muslims. Year 1301 (1883/84)
4. Plain woman’s nišan measuring 22x14x83 cm with epitaph in Arabic.
المرحومه غفر الله لها صفيه بنت احمد داود مهاييك مات في 15 جمادي الاخر سنة 1331 الفاتحة
The late Safija, may God forgive her, daughter of Ahmed Davudčehajić. Died on 15 Jumada-l-Akhira 1331 (21 May 1913). Fatiha.
5. Broken and uprooted nišan carved with a gun motif, measuring 20x20x110 cm, with an epitaph in Arabic.
مرحوم مراد بك بن الحاج حسن بك قروبك روحيجون الفاتحة تاريح وقع الموت 15 شعبان 1324
The late Murat-bey, son of hajji Hasan-bey Krupić. Fatiha for his soul. Died on 15 Sha’ban 1324 (3 October 1906).
6. Plain woman’s nišan measuring 30x20x160 cm with epitaph in Arabic.
انظر الي مقامي و تفكر بمثلي كنت غدا مثلي هو كلثوم بنت ابراهيم بك بهكويك في جمادي الخر سنة 1311 الفاتحة
Look upon this place and reflect on me, tomorrow you will be as I am. This is Kulsum, daughter of Ibrahim-bey Biščević. Jumada-l-Ahar(6) 1311 (December 1893).
7. Woman’s nišan, rectangular in section 31x18 cm and a height of 186 cm, with epitaph in Arabic.
المرحومه و المغفوره لها .... بنت الحاج مصطفي جاووشويك لرضاء لله الفاتحه وقع الموت شهر رمضان المبارك في27 سنة 1326
The late [first name illegible], daughter of Mustafa Čaušević. Fatiha for God’s pleasure. Died on 27 Ramadan 1326 (23 October 1908).
8. Plain woman’s nišan measuring 29x19x145 cm with epitaph in Arabic.
المرحومه و المغفوره لها امحانه بنت محمد افندي قورطاغيك وقع الموت في 10 صفر الخير سنة 1313
The late Umihana, daughter of Muhamed efendija Kurtagić. Died on 10 Safar 1313 (6 August 1895).
9. Man’s nišan with turban, measuring 24x24x80 cm, of fairly simple design with epitaph in Arabic.
انظر الي مقامي و خذ العبرة مني .... بالفاتحة هو الحاج حسن بك بن علي بك جاريك مات في شوال المكرم ...
Look upon this place and learn a lesson from me .... Fatiha. This is hajji Hasan-bey, son of Ali-bey Cerić. Died in the month of Shawwal...
10. Man’s nišan with turban, measuring 23x34x135 cm, of fairly simple design with epitaph in Arabic.
مرحوم و مغفور له مراد بك بن محمد بك جاريك سنة1270
The late Murat-bey, son of Muhamed-bey Cerić. Year 1270 (1853/54).
11. Damaged man’s nišan, turban missing, measuring 19x17x82 cm with epitaph in Arabic.
مرحوم سليمان بن مراد بك جاريك غفر الله له سنة 1287
The late Sulejman, son of Murat-bey Cerić, may God forgive him. Year 1287 (1870).
12. Elaborately decorated nišan with sabre and gun motifs and geometric designs, measuring 15x14x165 cm, partly damaged epitaph.
........حارس بك بن مراد بك جاريك ....... روحنه الفاتحة 1322
... Haris-bey, son of Murat-bey Cerić……. Fatiha for his soul. 1322 (1904/05).
13. Plain woman’s nišan measuring 21x16x86 cm with epitaph in Arabic.
مرحومه و مغفورة لها خانميجه بنت راشيد بك جاريك في 1312
The late Hanumica, daughter of Rašid-bey Cerić. 1312 (1894/95).
14. Nišan with smooth turban, top broken, measuring 20x18x98 cm with epitaph in Arabic.
مرحوم الحاج جعفر بك بن مراد بك جاريك غفر الله له سنة 1259
The late hajji Džafer-bey, son of Murat-bey Cerić, May God forgive him. Year 1259 (1843).
15. Nišan with woman’s cap, measuring 21x20x133 cm, with epitaph in Arabic.
هو الخلاق الباقي المرحومة و المغفورة المحتاجة الي رحمة ربه الغفار غوسية بنت سليمان بك مرادبغويك 1300
He is the Eternal Creator. The late Gavsija, daughter of Sulejman-bey Muradbegović, may the Lord Who forgives have mercy upon her. 1300 (1882-83).
16. Man’s nišan with pleated turban, top broken, measuring 20x18x137 cm. The epitaph in Arabic is surrounded by a cable twist, and surmounted by a circular geometric design.
هو الحي الباقي مرحوم و مغفور له مصطفي بك بن الحاج حافظ بك جاريك روحيجون الفاتحة وقع الموت صفر الخير 11 سنة 1321
He is the Living, the Eternal. The late Mustafa-bey, son of hajji Hafiz-bey Cerić. Fatiha for his soul. Died on 11 Safar 1321 (9 May 1903).
17. Nišan with rounded turban, top broken, measuring 20x19x115 cm with epitaph in Arabic.
المرحوم و المغفور المحتاج الي رحمة ربه الغفار اجمد بن ابراهيم عمرسباهيك تاريخ سنة 1313 في شوال 7
The late Ahmed, son of Ibrahim Omerspahić, may the Lord Who forgives have mercy on him. Date of death 7 Shawwal 1313 (22 March 1896).
18. Nišan with woman’s cap, of simple design, measuring 28x17x150 cm, with epitaph in Arabic.
مرحومه و مغفوره لها كلثوم بنت هاشم بك جاريك رضاء لله الفاتحة 3 ذو الحجه 1327
The late Kulsum, daughter of Hašim-bey Cerić. Fatiha for God’s pleasure. 3 Dhu-l-Hijjah 1327 (16 December 1909)
19. Nišan with pleated turban, square in section 21x21 with a height of 130 cm, with a carved epitaph in Arabic.
المرحوم غفر الله له احمد بن مصطفي بك جافربكويك وقع الموت في 7 ربيع الاول سنة 1317 الفاتحة
The late Ahmed, son of Mustafa-bey Džaferbegović, may God forgive him. Died on 7 Rabi’ al Awwal 1317 (16 July 1899). Fatiha
20. Plain woman’s nišan measuring 29x19x152 cm with epitaph in Arabic.
صاحب هذا المقام المرحوم نايه بنت الحاج سليمان بك جاريك وقع الموت في 20 رمضان سنة 1315
This is the place of the late Naja, daughter of hajji Sulejman-bey Cerić. Died on 20 Ramadan 1315 (12 February 1898).
21. Broken nišan, top missing, measuring 23x19x65 cm with epitaph in Arabic.
هو الخلاق الباقي يا ناظرا بقبري متفكرا بمثلي كنت غدا مثلي هو الحاج احمد بك بن الحاج محمد بك جاريك قد وقع الموت في 1 ذي القعده سنة 1307
He is the Eternal Creator. You who look upon my grave, reflect on me, for tomorrow you will be as I am. Hajji Ahmed-bey, son of hajji Muhamed-bey Cerić, died on 1 Dhu-l-Qa’dah 1307 (19.06.1890).
22. Plain woman's nišan, measuring 25x17x97 cm with epitaph in Arabic.
هو الخلاق الباقي مرحومه و مغفوره لها عزة بنت مصطفي بك سنة 1303
He is the Eternal Creator. The late Izeta, daughter of Mustafa-bey. Year 1303 (1885/86).
23. Woman’s nišan, measuring 30x17x170 cm with epitaph in Arabic.
المرحومة فاطمة بنت يوسف ملاعبديك محتاجه الدعاء غفر الله ذنوبها تاريح في شهر شعبان سنة 1311
The late Fatima, daughter of Jusuf Mulabdić, in need of prayers. May God forgive her sins. The date (of her death) is the month of Sha’ban 1311 (February-March 1894).
24. Man’s nišan with damaged turban, measuring 24x24x156 cm, with epitaph in Arabic which is barely decipherable.
مرحوم و مغفور صاحب المقارب ...... بن حسين قوميك .......سىة 1311
The late owner of the grave........, son of Husejn Komić...... Year 1311(1893/94).
25. Nišan with smooth turban, top broken, measuring 23x12x125 cm with epitaph in Arabic.
المرحوم و المغفور المجتاج الي رحمة الله تعالي مصطفي بن اغان مسلمويك سنة 1326
The late Mustafa, son of Agan Muslimović, may Almighty God have mercy on him. Year 1326 (1908).
26. Nišan with pleated turban, measuring 29x27x100 cm with epitaph in Arabic.
هو الخلاق الباقي الموت شراب و الناس كلهم شاربون ناظرا ادعوني تكون غدا كاني المحتاج الي رحمة ربه الغفار مرحوم و مغفور له فيظيك مصطفي رضاء لله الفاتحة 15 شوال سنة 1301
He is the Eternal Creator. Death is a beverage that all shall drink. Visitor, pray for me, for tomorrow you shall be as I am. May God Who forgives have mercy on the late Fejzić Mustafa. Fatiha for God’s pleasure. 15 Shawwal 1301 (8 August 1884).
27. Nišan with pleated turban, top broken, measuring 23x23x150 cm with epitaph in Arabic.
مرحوم و مغفور له احمد بك بن ابراهيم بك جاريك سنة 1294
The late Ahmed-bey, son of Ibrahim-bey Cerić. Year 1294 (1877).
28. Woman’s nišan broken into two pieces, rectangular in section 28x19 cm and 168 cm in overall height, with epitaph in Arabic, damaged in one place.
هو الخلاق الباقي مرحومة و مغفورة لها المحتاجة الي رحمة ربه الغفار اهل اسلام ارواحيجون لله الفاتحة سنة 1216 صاحب القبر زينبه بنت حسن...
He is the Eternal Creator. The owner of this grave, the late Zejneba, daughter of Hasan..., may God Who forgives have mercy on her. Fatiha for the souls of all Muslims and God’s pleasure. 1216 (1801).
29. Broken man’s nišan, measuring 24x24x62 cm with barely decipherable epitaph.
................ مرحوم و مغفور صاحب القبر باشر بن ..... روحيجون فاتحة سنة 1212
........The late owner of the grave Bašir, son of ... Fatiha for his soul. Year 1212 (1797/98).
30. Plain woman’s nišan, measuring 26x16x107 cm, with carved epitaph in Arabic.
المرحومة حانمجه بنت عبداه سليمانويك في 1 رجب 1312
The late Hanumica, daughter of Abdulah Sulejmanović. 1 Rajab 1312 (29 December 1894)
31. Man’s nišan with turban, measuring 20x20x86 cm with epitaph in Arabic.
المرحوم و المغفور قلعه امامي ولدنليك مصطفي اغا ابن محرم مات سنة 1309
The late imam of the fort Veletanlić Mustafa-aga, son of Muharem, died in 1309 (1891/92).
32. Man’s nišan with turban of krajiški type, measuring 26x24x190 cm with epitaph in Arabic.
المرحوم عبد الملك بن زاعم دزدار رحمته محتاج في 1 ذي الحجه سنة1309
The late Abdulmelik, son of Zaim Dizdar, may He have mercy upon him. 1 Dhu-l-Hijjah 1309 (27 June 1892).
33. Nišan with smooth turban, measuring 24x23x130 cm with epitaph in Arabic.
مرحوم الحاج ابراهيم اغا بن زاعم اغا دزدار رضاء لله الفاتجة 1324
The late hajji Ibrahim-aga, son of Zaim-aga Dizdar. Fatiha for God’s pleasure. 1324 (1906).
34. Woman’s nišan, measuring 25x16x130 cm with carved epitaph in Arabic.
المرحومة عييشه بنت الحاج ناغو جاوشويك في 27 شوال 1314
The late Aiša, daughter of hajji Nago Čaušević. 27 Shawwal 1304 (19 May 1887).
35. Man’s nišan with fez, measuring 20x17x120 cm with epitaph in Arabic.
المرحوم غفر الله له احمد بن عبد المالك دزدار سنة 1320 الفاتحة
The late Ahmed, may God forgive him, son of Abdulmelik Dizdar. Year 1320 (1902/903). Fatiha.
36. Man’s nišan with pleated turban, measuring 23x23x150 cm with epitaph in Arabic.
المرحوم حمديا بن عمر ماهيك عفر الله له محتاج الدعاء في يوم الثالث من شهر رمضان.......
The late Hamdija, son of Omer Mahić, may God forgive him, in need of prayers. Third day of the month of Ramadan ...
37. Man’s nišan with pleated turban of krajiški type, measuring 20x20x130 cm with carved epitaph in Arabic.
يا غفار هو الخلاق الباقي هذا المقام المرحوم زعانويك يوسف بن حسن افندي روح ايجون لله رضاسيجون الفاتحة سنة 1220
Thou Who forgiveth! He is the Eternal Creator. This is the place of the late Zianović Jusuf, son of Hasan-efendija. Recite Fatiha for his soul and God’s pleasure. Year 1220 (1805/06).
38. Woman’s nišan with solufluk (braid or plait), measuring 23x17x100 cm with epitaph in Arabic.
المرحومة المحتاجة الي رحمة الله تعالي زينبه بنت حسين علونويك 1313
The late Zejneba, daughter of Husejn Alinović, may Almighty God have mercy on her. 1313 (1898/96)
39. Man’s nišan with turban, measuring 23x23x140 cm with epitaph in Arabic.
مرحوم و مغفور له و المحتاج علي اغا ابن الحاج عمر اغانويك غفر الله له و لوالديه سنة خمس و سبعين و ماتين و الف سنة 1270
The late Ali-aga, son of hajji Omer Aganović, may God forgive him and his parents. Year one thousand two hundred and seventy-five. Year 1270. (1858/59).
40. Woman’s nišan measuring 25x17x100 with star of Solomon and epitaph in Arabic.
هو الخلاق الباقي اللهم اغفر لصاحب هذا القبر كامله بنت محمد بك غفر الله لها و لوالديها و لمن قرا الفاتحة لله الفاتحة سنة 1286 شوال 5
He is the Eternal Creator. O Lord forgive the owner of this grave Kamila, daughter of Muhamed-bey. May God forgive her and her parents and all who recite Fatiha. Fatiha. 5 Shawwal 1286 (8 January 1870).
41. Woman’s nišan measuring 21x10x80 cm.
المرحومة فاطمة بنت ابراهيم قولنيك وقع الموت 1324
The late Fatima, daughter of Ibrahim Kolnić, died in 1324 (1906).
42. Plain woman’s nišan, measuring 27x20x180 cm with carved epitaph in Arabic.
المرحومة و المعفورة ملائمة بنت محرم موستيك قد وقع الموت في 1 ذي القعدة 1314
The late Mulaima, daughter of Muharem Mustić, died on 1 Dhu-l-Qa’dah 1314 (3 April 1897).
43. Plain, substantial woman’s nišan, measuring 34x21x180 cm giving only the date of death of the deceased.
في 7 شعبان سنة 1290
7 Sha’ban 1290 (30 September 1873).
44. Plain, substantial woman’s nišan, measuring 27x25x145 cm with an unusual geometric design below the carved date of death of the deceased. The design recalls an arrow, the head of which is filled with horizontal and vertical lines and squares.
في 14 شعبان سنة 1290
14 Sha’ban 1290 (10 October 1873).
45. Uprooted man’s nišan with smooth turban, measuring 20x20x165 cm, with finely carved epitaph in a small rectangular niche.
مرحوم و مغقور له مصطفي بن صالح ولتنليك سنة 1205
The late Mustafa, son of Salih Veletanlić. Year 1205 (1790/91).
46. Man’s nišan with turban, measuring 21x19x110 cm with epitaph in Arabic.
المرحوم حسين بن ياشر اغا ولدانليك غفر الله ذنوبه محتاج الرحمة تاريح في شهر صفر الخير سنة 1308
The late Husejin, son of Jašir-aga Veletanlić, may God have mercy and forgive his sins. In the month of Safar 1308 (September to October 1890).
47. Man’s nišan with broken turban, measuring 26x26x170 cm with epitaph in Arabic.
مرحوم و مغفور له جعفر بن حسين بك جاريك رحمة الله عليه رحمة واسعة تاريخ وفات سنة 1290
The late Džafer, son of Husejin-bey Cerić, may God grant him His immense mercy. Died in 1290 (1873).
48. Man’s nišan with turban, measuring 25x25x150 cm with partly damaged epitaph in Arabic.
مرحوم و مغفور له حسين بك ابن مصطفي بك جاريك ......سنة 1267
The late Husejin-bey, son of Mustafa-bey Cerić ....Year 1267 (1850/51).
49. Man’s nišan with smooth turban, measuring 26x27x180 cm with epitaph in Arabic.
المرحوم غفر الله له مصطفي بك ابن حسين بك قبودان جاريك وقع الموت في 23 شوال سنة 1313 الفاتحة
The late Mustafa-bey, may God forgive him, son of Husejn-bey kapetan Cerić. Died on 23 Shawwal 1313 (7 April 1896).
50. Substantial woman’s nišan with plait, measuring 30x20x190 cm with carved epitaph in Arabic.
هو الخلاق البافي مرحومة و مغفورة لها صاحب القبر فاطمة بنت علي افندي باشاليك رضاء لله الفاتحة سنة 1313 جمادي الاخر
He is the Eternal Creator. The late owner of the grave Fatima, daughter of Ali-efendija Pašalić. Fatiha for God’s pleasure. Jumada-l-Akhira 1313 (September to October 1895).
51. Woman’s nišan with plait, measuring 30x17x170 cm with carved epitaph in Arabic.
سلطانية بنت الحاج مصطفي سنة 1290
Sultanija, daughter of hajji Mustafa. Year 1290 (1873).
52. Man’s nišan, turban broken, measuring 23x23x105 cm with partly damaged epitaph.
هو الخلاق الباقي مرحوم و مغفور له محتاج الي رحمة ربه الغفار صاحب القبر ... صالح بن محمد بربرويك غفر الله له و لكاقة اهل اسلام ارواحلريجون رضاء لله فاتحة 1279
He is the Eternal Creator. The late owner of the grave ... Salih, may God Who forgives have mercy on him, son of Muhamed Berberović, may God forgive his sins and those of all followers of Islam. Fatiha for their souls and God’s pleasure. 1279 (1862/63).
53. Woman’s nišan, measuring 26x18x145 cm with carved epitaph in Arabic.
المرحومة عاييشة بنت ابراهيم والقيك غفر الله لها ذنوبها صفر الخير سنة 1295
The late Aiša, daughter of Ibrahim Valkić, may God forgive her sins. Safar 1295 (February to March 1878).
54. Man’s nišan with pleated turban, measuring 24x23x200 cm with epitaph in Arabic.
مرحوم و مغفور له بكير بربرويك بن صالح غفر الله ذنوبه سنة 1309
The late Bećir Berberović, son of Salih, May God forgive his sins. Year 1309 (1891/92).
55. Man’s nišan with turban, measuring 26x24x169 cm with epitaph in Arabic, illegible in places.
هو الخلاق الباقي .... عثمان بن علي ... سنة 1289 ربيع الاول 15
He is the Eternal Creator. ... Osman, son of Alija ... Year 1289, Rabi’ al-Awwal 15 (23 May 1872).
56. Man’s nišan with rounded turban, measuring 30x27x100 cm with epitaph in Arabic.
هو الخلاق الباقي مرحوم و مغفور له ... احمد افندي بن حسن قره حوجيك سنة 1271 في 12 ش
He is the Eternal Creator. The late ... Ahmed-efendija, son of Hasan Kurahodžić. Year 1271, 12 Sha’ban (10 January 1865).
The Majka partizanska memorial complex
The Majka partizanska memorial complex was built in 1965 to a design by the Croatian sculptor Marjan Kocković(7) on the basis of a decision by Bosanski Novi SO. As noted in the rationale for the adoption of a negative decision, the memorial was erected in a Muslim burial ground, which on the evidence of the epitaphs on the nišan tombstones was still in active use when it was left in a state of devastation by the erection of the memorial and the laying of an access path. There is no record of the site of the burial ground having been the scene of any major event in the World War II anti-fascist war of national liberation(8).
The Majka partizanska memorial cannot be compared in either design or execution with the monumental sculptural forms or complex artistic designs glorifying the exploits of the World War II war of national liberation; indeed, it is characterized by its absence of creativity and innovation.
The memorial complex consists of an access path with steps and the memorial itself. The memorial is composed of four elements: 1) a U-shaped platform or plinth of 11 x 7 m; 2) a 2 x 2 m cube on which the text forming the motto of the memorial is carved; 3) a rectangular frieze in relief set on the cube, and measuring 60 x 1000 cm; 4) a sculpture of the Majka partizanska (Partisan mother), 5 m in height.
Various materials were used to build the memorial. The structure is of concrete faced with granite slabs, the slabs with the frieze in relief are made of plaster, and the Majka partizanska sculpture is made of bronze.
The cube supporting the frieze bears a carved text(9) in Roman capitals on all four sides. The text is as devoid of literary value as the memorial is of artistic merit. On the left of the relief is a group of people with the Majka partizanska, left breast recessed, in the middle, attacking a number of soldiers armed with bayonets. The bronze sculpture representing the figure of the Partisan mother is in the abstract style, and only the top part is recognizable as a human figure.
3. Legal status to date
The property has not been subject to statutory protection.
4. Research and conservation-restoration works
Nothing known of any conservation-restoration works.
5. Current condition of the property
The burial ground is in extremely poor condition. Many of the nišans have been knocked over or moved, or are broken or damaged. The burial ground is open and unprotected, and the devastation is continuing.
6. Specific risks
- removal of old nišan
- dumping of litter and waste
III – CONCLUSION
Applying the Criteria for the adoption of a decision on proclaiming an item of property a national monument (Official Gazette of BiH nos. 33/02 and 15/03), the Commission has enacted the Decision cited above.
The Decision was based on the following criteria:
A. Time frame
B. Historical value
C. Artistic and aesthetic value
C.i. quality of workmanship
C.iii. proportions
C.v. value of details
D. Clarity (documentary, scientific and educational value)
D.v. evidence of a typical way of life at a specific period
E. Symbolic value
E.i. ontological value
E.ii. eligious value
E.iii. traditional value
E.v. significance for the identity of a group of people
G. Authenticity
G.i. form and design
G.iv. traditions and techniques
G.v. location and setting
G.vi. spirit and feeling
The following documents form an integral part of this Decision:
- Ownership documentation
- Copy of cadastral plan 342/1, c.m. Novi Grad (new survey), title deed no. 885, plan no. 22, scale 1:1000 (old survey c.p. nos. 22/1,22/2, 7/48,c.m. Novi Grad), issued on 29 March 2010 by the Department of Geodetics and Proprietary Rights, Novi Grad branch, Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Land Register entry no. 2157 (Nar & Rz no. 834/10), issued on 29 March 2010 by the Land Registry office of the court of first instance in Novi Grad, Republika Srpska
- Land Register entry no. 3034 (Nar & Rz no. 834/10), issued on 29 March 2010 by the Land Registry office of the court of first instance in Novi Grad, Republika Srpska
- Photodocumentation
- Photographs of the Majka partizanska memorial complex taken on 16 June 2010 by art historian Aida Bucalović, using Sony DSC – H10 digital camera
- Photographs of the Jablanice burial ground taken on 20 September 2011 and 30 September 2011 by orientalist Hazim Numanagić using Sony DSC – H10 digital camera
Bibliography
During the procedure to designate the Jablanice burial ground in Novi Grad as a national monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina the following works were consulted:
1978. Bešlagić, Šefik. Nišani XV i XVI vijeka u Bosni i Hercegovini (15th and 16th century nišans in BiH). Sarajevo: Akademija nauka i umjetnosti Bosne i Hercegovine/Academy of Sciences and Arts of BiH, 1978.
1962. Protection authority. “Zaštićeni spomenici Narodno-oslobodilačkog rata” (protected monuments of the War of Peoples’ Liberation), Naše starine: Godišnjak zavoda za zaštitu spomenika kulture N. R. Bosne i Hercegovine, VIII (1962): 244-245.
1987. Likovna enciklopedija Jugoslavije (Art encyclopaedia of Yugoslavia), 2 K-Rem. Zagreb: Jugoslavenski leksikografski zavod “Miroslav Krleža”, 1987.
(1) From PTA Study for the Town Hall in Bosanski Novi-Novi Grad, a project of the Regional Programme for Cultural and Natural Heritage in South East Europe 2003-2005. Principal: Commission to Preserve National Monuments. Study compiled by Dr. Ljiljana Ševo, art historian, Radovan Beleslin MSc, civil engineer, Milijana Okilj, BScArch., Banja Luka, 12 September 2005.
(2) The monument was built to a design by the Croatian sculptor Marjan Kocković, who graduated in Ljubljana in 1952, taught art in Sarajevo and founded the 15 mladih artists’ group. Produced reliefs, minor and monumental stone sculpture, and also worked in bronze, terracotta and metal. His best-known works are Kolo, Radost, Majčina igra... See: Likovna enciklopedija Jugoslavije, 2 K-Rem, Zagreb: Jugoslavenski leksikografski zavod “Miroslav Krleža,” 1987, 66.
(3) Protection authority, “Zaštićeni spomenici Narodno-oslobodilačkog rata,“ Naše starine: Godišnjak zavoda za zaštitu spomenika kulture N. R. Bosne i Hercegovine, VIII (1962): 244-245.
(4) There are so many nišans in the burial ground that this report deals only with those that bear an epitaph and are more than 100 years old, or that are worthy of mention for some other reason.
(5) Transcription, documentation and translation by orientalist Hazim Numanagić.
(6) Translator’s note: the usual way of denoting the two Jumada months (meaning “the months of dryness”) is Jumada-l-Ula, “the first month of dryness” and Jumada-l-Thaniyyah, “the second month of dryness.” It appears to be the custom in Bosnia to use the term Jumada-l-Akhira (“the last month of dryness”) for the latter.
(7) Graduated in Ljubljana in 1952. Taught art in Sarajevo and founded the 15 mladih artists' group. Worked in relief, minor and monumental stone sculpture, bronze, terracotta and metal. His best-known works are Kolo, Radost, Majčina igra... See: Likovna enciklopedija Jugoslavije, 2 K-Rem, Zagreb: Jugoslavenski leksikografski zavod “Miroslav Krleža,” 1987, 66.
(8) Heritage protection authority, “Zaštićeni spomenici Narodno-oslobodilačkog rata,” Naše starine: Godišnjak zavoda za zaštitu spomenika kulture N. R. Bosne i Hercegovine, VIII (1962): 244-245.
(9) Razvijaj kose zelene, seka te zaklinje Stojanka, rasplići mrke pletenice, puštaj nam džinove vilene; Ko god nam došao da ambre izaspe, i torove da nam pune razaspe, i krcata da nam ulišta posasne, i da pogasne ognjišta, a loza mu od kletve ne pomrla, djeca će mu zalud ovud skitati, i za kosti pitati; Hej dječico moja rođena za pjesmu stvorena, kako ste na cijevi jurišali, kako ste pred žicama u grču padali, avaj proklete žice ukrsnice odakle li se vučete, i moju Krajinu sapinjete, moje su vas oči gledale, i čas u suncu sijale, a čas u ljetnjem pljusku i pjevale i plakale; Niko vas djeco ne može predobiti.
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