Monaco is a tiny European principality, it is known for its economic stability, amazing beauty of the azure coast, as well as the strange name of the inhabitants - Monegasques. To find out why the citizens of Monaco are called that, you have to turn to history.
Who are the Monegasques
In fact, not all residents of Monaco are called Monegasques. This is a special people, true, so to speak, citizens of this country. According to the 2008 census, there are about 7,634 people from the Monegasque tribe in Monaco, which is about 20% of the total population of the country. The rest of the population is French, Italians, Spaniards.
The Monegasque language is also special. This is a dialect of the Ligurian language, which, although close to the dialect of the Genoese, still came under the influence of the Nice dialect of the Occitan language, which is spoken by some of the inhabitants of Monaco.
Monegasque history
According to historical data, the Phoenicians were the first to settle on the territory of the then non-existent principality of Monaco. This happened around the 10th century BC. Then the Greeks came here, professing a special religious cult. They worshiped the god of fertility and masculine strength, who, according to legend, was called Mono Okos. It was from this word that the name of the tribe was later formed.
Monaco is home to the famous Ocean Museum, founded by Prince Albert the First. It was from here that Cousteau began his great expedition.
There are legends that a tribe neighboring with the Monegasques worshiped the power of female fertility - the great mother goddess. This disagreement often led to military clashes.
Later, the Italians from Liguria, mixing with the Monegasques, gave them their language. Over time, the national identity of the Monegasques, their special traditions, was formed. The Monegasque dialect changed somewhat under the influence of the closest neighbors, but then it finally settled down. Many Monegasques prefer to speak their own language.
Monegasque traditions and privileges
Today, Saint Devote is considered the patron saint of the Monegasque tribe, and therefore the white color is sacred to the inhabitants of the Principality, symbolizing purity and nobility, like a holy shroud. White clothes are mostly worn by men. Red is another important color for the blood of the martyr. But black is considered a sign of intuition and wisdom; in the principality it is considered a female color.
It is believed that the name Monaco comes from the word "monk", which in Italian is pronounced as monaco.
In Monaco, Monegasques, as primordial subjects, have a number of privileges. For example, only they can elect parliament. Monegasques are also exempt from taxes. They also have other benefits. If you were not born a Monegasque, then it is impossible to become one. Even if you marry a representative of this nationality, in the event of a divorce, the “non-indigenous” partner immediately automatically loses all the privileges of the Monegasques.
