Boglárka Bakó: Minority in Majority: Erdővidék

This study presents the findings of the research program ‘Hungárián MinoritySettlements and Regions in the Carpathian Basin in the 20th Century’ conducted in the framework of the NKFP. The site of the research was the microregion situated in the south borderlands of the Sekler land, Erdővidék. Erdővidék is a region populated almost exclusively by ethnic Hungarians withHungárián administrative leadership, Hungárián school networkand significantminority Hungárián (or from Hungary) economic influence. Four settlementsFelsőrákos (Racosul de Sus), Bibarcfalva (Biborteni), Nagybacon (Bátanii Mari) és Bárót (Baraolt) were included int he research of the Erdővidék micro-region.

The research was based upon the investigation of everyday life and thecomparative examination of the questions posed by the peculiarities of localsocieties. The analysis was based on many perspectives. First, it examinedinstitutional levels. It was completed by the theme of expression and admittance by the local leading authorities of national peculiarities that feature the

micro-region or settlement. The study focused on the functioning of relationships with Hungary and the image of Hungary and Hungarians within local communities.

The third theme concerned the existence of (mentái and geographical) borders of the micro-region and the conscious admittance of these borders. Italsó focused on the relationships of local people with others from the Seklerland, over the river Olt and the Carpathian mountains (Oltenia and Muntenia),characteristics of being from Erdővidék and the perception of living in defenseor in danger.

The analysis of inter-ethnic relationships first of all was concentrated onthe Roma-Hungarian co-existence. Questions of the interviews concerned theleadership strategies of the ‘minority majority’, administrative conditions andeveryday co-habitations.

One of the main goals of the NKFP program was to research the effects ofthe Law on the Status of Hungarians living in Minority. Interviews were organized according to three crucial points: minority expectations concerningHungárián Identity Cards, reasons of demanding those cards and stories illuminating their uses in Hungary.