The Dead, the War, and Ethnic Identity: Ghost Narratives in Post-War Srebrenica

Based on field research, this article studies the role of ghost narratives about dead killed in genocide Bosniak people Srebrenica. It focuses three clusters belief spread among Bosniaks: ghosts unburied dead; buried cemetery for victims massacre; and a murdered imam appearing at site demolished mosque, calling faithful to prayer. The argues that these stories are effects persistent denial by Serbian population strong sense Bosniaks justice has not yet been properly restored nor perpetrators adequately punished. Ghost play significant war discourse: through them, inhabitants Srebrenica region, lacking social political power Serb-dominated territory, able articulate maintain their memory massacre, reclaim space, acquire some control over situation, thus, ultimately, empowerment. Moreover, legends occasionally prove vehicles transmission ideological messages post-war identity processes ethnic community Bosnia Herzegovina.