The community on the Krivaja can be described as an experienced community in difference (erprobte Differenzgemeinschaft). The coexistence of different population groups here has developed over time: Muslims/Bosniaks, Catholics/Croats, Orthodox Christians/Serbs, Roma and others live here. On the one hand, these groups distinguish themselves from one another and see themselves as separate communities, whose distinctive characteristics are expressed through their respective religious and spiritual practices, customs, naming conventions, and even clothing.
Despite these differences, new forms of communication, cooperation, community spirit and neighbourliness (komšiluk) have repeatedly emerged at the Krivaja. The unifying and shared elements that the inhabitants of Krivaja share in terms of language, everyday culture and memories are equally characteristic of their coexistence.
A great many villages have lost more than two-thirds of their inhabitants compared with the last pre-war census of 1991, due to emigration. These people form the diaspora, which is spread across countries such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy and France, as well as neighbouring countries including Croatia, Serbia and others. As a result, the age profile of many villages has also changed significantly.
In current conflicts over the exploitation of resources, these demographic changes are perceived as a key factor in vulnerability: many people who could contribute to political decision-making processes are absent from this damaged social geography.