I think it would be interesting to have a list of historical sources translated into English, which people could add to and discuss here. I am not sure if this already exists but I could not find one. To start this off because I a have created this thread, I will add a few.
Mustafa Ali Gelibolulu wrote in the 16th century, as somebody who likely had come from BiH in regards to descent and had lived in the country for many years in his work Kunhulachbar:
"Što se tiče plemena Hrvata, koje se pripisuje rijeci Bosni, njihov se značaj odrazuje u veseloj naravi; oni su po Bosni poznati i po tekućoj rijeci prozvati. Duša im je čista, a lice svjetlo; većinom su stasiti i prostodušni - njihovi likovi kao značajevi naginju pravednosti. Golobradi mladići i lijepi momci poznati su (na daleko) po pokrajinama radi naočitosti i ponositosti, a daroviti spisatelji kao umni i misaoni ljudi. Uzrok je ovo, što je Bog - koji se uzvisuje i uzdiže - u osmanlijskoj državi podigao vrijednost tome hvaljenom narodu dostojanstvom i čast njihove sreće uzvisio kao visoki uzrast i poletnu dušu, jer se megju njima nasilnika malo nalazi. Većina onih, koji su došli do visokih položaja (u državi) odlikuju se veledušjem to jest: čašću i ponosom; malo ih je koji su tjesnogrudni, zavidni i pohlepni. Neustrašivi su u boju i na mejdanu, a u društvu, gdje se uživa i pije, prostodušni. Obično su prijazni, dobroćudni i ljubazni. Osobito se odlikuje ovo odlično pleme vanrednom ljepotom i iznimnim uzrastom. Bez sumnje Bošnjaci, koji se pribrajaju hrvatskom narodu, odlikuju se kao prosti vojnici dobrotom i pobožnosti, kao age i zapovjednici obrazovanošću i vrlinom; ako dogju do časti velikih vezira u upravi su dobroćudni, ponosni i pravedni, da ih velikaši hvale i odlični umnici slave"
"As for the tribe of Croats, which are attributed to the river Bosnia, their importance is reflected in their cheerful nature; they are known in Bosnia and named after the flowing river. Their souls are pure, and their faces are bright; most of them are stout and simple-minded - their characters lean toward righteousness as characters. Bearded young men and handsome guys are known (far and wide) in the provinces for their showiness and pride, and gifted writers as intelligent and thoughtful people. The reason for this is that God - who exalts himself and exalts himself - in the Ottoman state raised the value of that praised people with dignity and exalted the honor of their happiness as a high age and a spirited soul, because there are few bullies among them. Most of those who have reached high positions (in the state) are characterized by magnanimity, that is: honor and pride; there are few who are narrow-minded, envious and greedy. They are fearless in the fight and at the mejdan, and in society, where people enjoy themselves and drink, they are simple-minded. They are usually kind, good-natured and kind. This excellent tribe is particularly distinguished by its extraordinary beauty and exceptional age. Without a doubt, the Bosniaks, who are counted among the Croatian people, are distinguished as simple soldiers by kindness and piety, as leaders and commanders by education and virtue; if they reach the honor of grand viziers in the administration, they are benevolent, proud and just, so that great men praise them and great minds praise them".
Not only can you find the aforementioned source in the book itself, but it is well-documented by many historians of that time, such as Safvet beg-Basagic, a Croatian nationalist which had advocated for Bosnian independence or unification with Croatia, he contributed to Starcevic's house and had been an active member in the HSP, he actually wrote in his work Čarobna kćeri:
"Čarobna kćeri prirode majske, Otvori svoje kapije rajske, O daj me pusti u bajni dvor! Gdje milo poje Pjesmice svoje Istočnih vila veseli kor.
Da njime kajde u naše pjesme Slijem, da teku ko rajske česme, Jer hrvatskog jezika šum Može da goji, Može da spoji Istok i zapad, pjesmu i um.
Sad silno huči, ko burno more, Sad blago kao kroz vilin-dvore Tajnih duhova čarobni poj, A sada bruji, Kao da zuji Kroz bašču pčela prognani roj.
Sad opet nježno kao da tuži Bulbulče malo na rumen-ruži, Jadeći gorko na udes svoj. — Tako se milje I sve smilje U tebi stapa, jeziče moj!"
With this specific song, I have trouble translating it, so please do not only use this thread to spread sources, but to also correctly interpret them in the English language so we can spread our struggle and history abroad across the world to be remembered for centuries, thank you.
_________________ Herceg-Bosno zemljo nasa mila
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