Contested Landscape: Moravian Walachia and Moravian Slovakia, the Case Study of the Region Near to the Ottoman Border
Abstract
Walachia was considered a country of mountains, rebels, brigands and Protestants. Due to its mountain passes it was perceived also as the gate to the kingdom of Hungary (seen through the eyes of Central and Western Europe).
Walachia acquired the reputation of potentially dangerous and rebel country, according to the wide range of contemporary sources. The same perception could be traced from the view of emic perspective, focusing on the same attributes (but this time seen exclusively as positive features) - attributes as the emphasis on faith of forefathers, existence of specific temperament ascribed to highlanders, their tendency to patriarchal life, their notion of honour, specific sense of humour, their approach to life usually lacking respect to authorities etc.
All these above mentioned characteristics, codified in contemporary chronicles, folksongs and ballads from the region of Walachia, led to the emergence of stereotypical image of highlanders (Walachians) and their enemies (Turks), which has entered a broader context of Central Europe and significantly affected this region throughout turbulent phases of 17th century till 19th century, when nationalism began to be born through the romantic visions of "warrior nations" and their neighbours.