Bosniaks

Bosniaks are a South Slavic ethnic group primarily associated with Bosnia and Herzegovina. They are one of the three constitutive peoples of BiH, alongside Serbs and Croats. The term Bosniak, adopted in the 1990s, denotes ethnicity; historically people in the region who followed Islam were often referred to as “Muslims” or “Bosnian Muslims” in state categorization.

Language and religion. They speak Bosnian, a standardized variety of Serbo-Croatian, written mainly in the Latin script. The community is predominantly Muslim, mainly Sunni, with a long tradition of mosque-centered religious life and organizations such as the Islamic Community of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

History. The medieval Banate and Kingdom of Bosnia existed in the region before Ottoman rule. Conquest in the 15th century led to widespread Islamization. In the 20th century, the Bosniak identity was established as an ethnic designation separate from religion; the term gained prominence during and after the Bosnian War of 1992–1995, when BiH’s constitution recognized Bosniaks as a constituent people.

Demographics and distribution. Most Bosniaks live in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where they form a majority or plurality in many areas. There are also communities in Serbia, Montenegro, and Croatia, with substantial diaspora in Germany, Sweden, Austria, Turkey, and North America.

Culture and society. Bosniaks have contributed to literature, music, and the arts in the region, and maintain distinct cultural traditions alongside shared Balkan influences. The community organizes through national and religious institutions, education, and cultural associations.