Final answer:
The zadruga is an extended-family household structure traditionally found in the Balkans, especially in the former Yugoslavia. These family groups would live and work together, often across multiple generations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The zadruga is a type of extended-family household that was traditionally found in the Balkans, particularly within the South Slavic population. These cooperative family units were prevalent in the rural areas of what used to be Yugoslavia, which included the nations such as Serbia, Croatia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina. In these large family groups, members would live together and work the land collectively, often through several generations.
In contemporary times, the concept of the zadruga has diminished, but historical and some anthropological literature may still reference this traditional social structure. The breakup of Yugoslavia in the 1990s, due to growing nationalistic and religious tensions, signified an end to the political unity in the region. However, the social and cultural practices such as the zadruga can serve as a reminder of the area's shared heritage and communal lifestyle that transcended individual familial units.