Following conflict, the rebuilding of social capital is an essential part of recovery and reconciliation. Yet in village Bosnia, where Catholics fought against Muslims, the healing process has barely progressed. My qualitative research goal is to explore the extent of post-conflict change and the nature of subsequent social capital rebuilding among women in three rural communities in middle Bosnia. Using an ethnographic approach, I am examining bonding and bridging activities in the lives of rural women who have experienced dislocation and relocation during the 1991-95 Balkan war. I focus particularly on the role of folkloric dance (ostrijanku) and singing (baćarac and sevdalinka) in rebuilding social capital, as these are significant aspects of rural culture. With my co-researcher, I was able to facilitate a bridging project involving ethnic dance groups in Fojnica and Bakovići, an effort linked with our exploration of shifts in cultural preferences regarding dance and music. Additional research in Sarajevo includes interviews with urban women’s organizations regarding peace building and rural outreach projects; as well as scholarly work on ethnic music and dance at the Bosniak Institute and the Arts and Literature Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina. During the fall and winter of 2011-2012, further interviews with Bosnian refugee women will continue in Pennsylvania. Additional interviews in Bosnia are planned for summer 2012.
Janet M. Powers, of Gettysburg College,was a 2011-12 Short-Term Travel Grants (STG) [8] fellow.
