Bushnak (Arabic: بشناق, meaning "Bosnian", also transliterated Bushnaq, Boshnak, Bouchenak and Bouchnak) is a surname common among Levantines and Saudis (Hejazis) of Bosnian Muslim origin.[1][2] Those sharing this surname are the descendants of Bosnian Muslims apprehensive of living under Christian rule after the Austro-Hungarian occupation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1878, who immigrated to Ottoman Syria.
 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| Syria, Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Jordan, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Morocco | |
| Religion | |
| Sunni Islam | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Bosniaks in Turkey Bosniaks in Syria |
While not originally from one family, most Bosnian Muslims who immigrated to the Levant adopted Bushnak as a common surname, attesting to their origins.[1]
History
editSome Bosnian movement to Palestine occurred when Bosnian Muslim soldiers were brought to Palestine in the late 1800s to provide reinforcements for the Ottoman army.[1]
More substantial movement occurred after 1878, when the Austro-Hungarian empire, ruled by the House of Habsburg, occupied Bosnia. Bosnian Muslim emigration continued through this period, escalating after the Austro-Hungarian's 1908 annexation of Bosnia. Many immigrated to parts of what is now modern Turkey, while a smaller number settled in Ottoman Syria (modern Syria, Israel, Palestine, Lebanon and Jordan).
Bosnian immigrants settled predominantly in villages in the parts of the present day West Bank and Israel: Caesarea, Yanun, Nablus and Tulkarem. Their descendants still live in these villages, their Bosnian heritage reflected in the Arab surname of Bushnak.[1][2]
Notable people bearing the surname
editBushnak
edit- Ramez Bushnak (1976-2000), a Palestinian civilian shot dead by Israeli police during the Second Intifada
Bushnaq
edit- Ali Bushnaq, Palestinian Mount Everest climber
- Alia Bushnaq (born 2000), Jordanian athlete
- Suzan Bushnaq (born 1963), Kuwaiti painter, daughter of Mohammed Bushnaq
- Suad Bushnaq (born 1982), Jordanian-Canadian film composer
- Mohammed Bushnaq (1934-2017), Palestinian artist (painter and sculptor)
Bouchnak
edit- Lotfi Bouchnak (born 1952), Tunisian singer
- Hamid Bouchnak (born 1969), Moroccan raï singer
Boushnak
edit- Laura Boushnak (born 1976), Kuwaiti-born Palestinian photographer
See also
editNotes and references
edit- ^ a b c d Amira Hass (25 October 2002). "It's the pits". Original in Haaretz, reprinted by Ta'ayush. Archived from the original on 2008-11-20. Retrieved 2008-11-12.
- ^ a b Ibrahim al-Marashi. "The Arab Bosnians?: The Middle East and the Security of the Balkans" (PDF). p. 4. Retrieved 2008-11-12.
Bibliography
edit- Khalifeh, Sahar (2005). The Inheritance. Cairo and New York, NY: American University in Cairo Press. ISBN 978-977-424-939-6.
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