The region is known for its rebellions against Ottoman rule. In 1858, an uprising broke out in the region, known as Pecija's First Revolt.
The region is known as a place where Serbs were persecuted by the Ustashe in World War II; Bosnian Muslim poet Skender Kulenović wrote about the Kozara tragedy.[2]
The region is historically Serb-inhabited, and has specific folk traditions. Ojkača is sung with at least three singers and without instrumental music. The local kolo (dance) is the Kozara kolo (Kozaračko kolo). The traditional instrument is tamburica. The region's inhabitants call themselves Knežopoljci, and regard themselves Krajišnici ("frontiersmen").[3]