Displacement

and departure to work in USA  

DISPLACEMENT Popivoda began in the first years of the 20th century. In 1904. there was first relocation to the outskirts of Nikšić. That was the time when it was, unusual for this area, long period of peace, for since 1878. there was not war and people were a bit more relaxed and wished to provide better living conditions for themself and their families. From the records of the Ministry of Interior affairs of Montenegro, which date back to 20th January 1905, we can see that there were numerous leavings to work in America.  According to data ftom the office čevsko-bjeličke "were moved abroad":

By the large number of departures abroad characteristic is year 1904. As can be seen from the data the most is went to North, and much less to South America and Austria. (In Austria is implied and Bay of Kotor and our western regions, which should be borne in mind that would not have in mind that they went to the central Austrian country).

That year (1904) 12 Popivoda in one day went to work in America. Later, they went in two, three, or individually. Most of them stayed there a year or two, but there were others who stayed more than 30 years, as Peter Majov, who returned only 1947. and Ivan Majov who died there after World War II. Over 30 years and remained Savo Đokov Kuzman, who returned with Petar Majov. Some went and came back two or three times, as Andrija Ristov - three times, and Miloš Nikolin and Špiro Vidakov - twice. In America (North and South), between the 1904. and 1930. went:

Four Popivoda remained there forever: Vaso Dragov was killed in a quarry; Dusan Radojev and Ivan Majov died, Luka Pavlov died on the boat and lowered in the ocean, and there also died Peter Đokov Kuzman.

As you can see, almost all Popivoda who were able for months of travel to Americas and heavy physical work that they were waiting there, tried to seek in America a better way of earning for life. Most being disappointed - there were waiting for them the hardest and most dangerous jobs, taking advantage of their work and small wages. Under such difficult conditions, most did not endure and returned after a year or two without income. What poor earnings hey had can be seen by the fact that Petar Majov Popivoda and Savo Đokov Kuzman stayed in America for over 30 years (1914-1947 ), and when they decided to return to barely had funds for the return. Somehow better than the other passed: Andrija Ristov, Miloš Nikolin and Špiro Vidakov, who after return bought a bit of farm land and restored houses.

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Emigration of the Popivoda from the Lješev Stup began around the 1905, and until World War II emigrated:

- Kijo Radovanov with the sons first moved around the 1905 and settled in the village Krnjača, and later at Duga near Nikšić. His son Blagoje moved in 1928. to Dubrava, near the Istok (in Metohija), and his son Jošo moved there in 1933. Kijo descendants never settled in Lješev Stup again;

- Bojica Ristov with the sons moved the 1921 to the village of Dubovik in Metohija. Neither Bojica descendants settled in Lješev Stup again;

- Milutin and Jagoš Gorčinov moved in 1921/22. to Metohija and a few years later moved to Ivanjsko, near Banja Luka, where remained until 1941;

- Blagoje, Savo, Krsto i Jošo ( Jovan ) Tomašev moved between the 1925th and 1932nd  year: Blagoje in Baošići in Boka, and then Karkatur (now Mićunovo), Vojvodina, Jošo later settled in Bijela in the Bay of Kotor, Savo has worked in Belgrade, and there was killed at work; Krsto went to France, and there died;

- Savo Perov moved in 1924. with his family to Bijela, in Boka, Where was caught with occupation 1941;

- Jovan Radov with sons Vuko and Marko, also moved to the Bijela in 1924;

- Vuko Lukin settled 1928th in the Drenovac near Dečani, and his brother Krsto moved there in 1937. They stayed there are until 1941;

- Nikola i Jovo ( Jovan ) Radojev settled 1929th in Rastovica in Metohija, and stayed there until the war in 1941;

- Andrija Matov moved to Bijela 1929. He remained there until 1931. when he returned to Kosača, in 1938 he moved to Cetinje. He returned in Bjelice in 1941 and settled in Resna.

So Lješev Stup a lot of thinned out between the two world wars. Uoči rata 1941. On the eve of the war 1941 in the village lived next household, with a designated number of members

As can be seen, in the village then lived 15 households with 66 members Popivoda, in Kosača lived Blagoje Đokov Kuzman with a 4 members of the family.

After the fascist occupation 1941 all the emigrated families, except sons of Bojica Ristov and sons of Kijo Radovanov returned to Lješev Stup. Saving of destruction, in the village until the beginning of the 1942 were the refuge 10 families with 49 members Popivoda, and Mico Đokov Kuzman with a family of 12 members.

In Lješev Stup then arrived the following families with the specified number of members:

Andrija Matov (in Resna). . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Blagoje Tomašev. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Vuko Lukina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Jagoš Gorčinov  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Jovo Radojev. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Jošo Tomašev . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Krsto Lukin  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Nikola Radojev. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Savo Perov . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Family of late Milutin Gorčinov . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

After the liberation of the country in 1945, based on the program for the implementation of agrarian reform, given the right to colonise property in Vojvodina to all families from Lješev Stup that have applied for it. At first most of the accepted colonization, and there soon moved 13 families Popivoda. In the village Seketić (now Lovćenac) near Backa Topola, settled with their families

Andrija Ristov

Blagoje Tomašev

Veljko Andrijin

Vojin Vukov

Gorčin Đurov

Jošo Tomašev

Krsto Lukin

Milovan Lazarev

Nikola Filipov

Spasoje Filipov

Sons of Miloš Nikolin

Sons of Milutin Gorčinov and

Sons of Špiro Vidakov

Several families received decision for colonised farms, but remained in the village.

A number of families already moved back in the first years, while others remained several years, but later gradually, the majority emigrated in several towns of Yugoslavia. However, most of them have returned to their home region. Some do so because of difficult adaptation to climatic conditions and poor water quality and other for no adaptation to new conditions of life and work, everything was inspired by homesickness  for their birthplace. In Lovćenac today live households (of which half of the younger generation), it is families:

Vaso Milutinov

Dimitrije Jošov

Dimitrije Špirov

Krsto Lukin

Miodrag Pavlov

Novica Špirov and

Pavle Milutinov

While living there for 39 years, although they made a new generation - born there, their connections with the old homeland did not disappear. Maintained the customs, a good part of the dialect and many other features, so that, in spite of a completely new environment that surrounds them, they did not forget their origin. It is typical that those who live in their old country treat Lovćenac as part of Montenegro, rather part Katunska district, and when going to and staying there feel as if they came in a neighbouring village. To that of course, contribute cordial reception and intimacy you encounter there, whether it is a relative or tribesmen.