Arbanasi
The Arbanasi, or Albanians of Zara (Albanian: Arbëreshët e Zarës) are a community in the Zadar region, Croatia, of Albanian origin, who traditionally speak a dialect of Gheg Albanian.[2] Their name means Albanians in Croatian and is the toponymy of the first Arbanasi settlement in the region, which today is a suburb of Zadar.[3]
Albanians of Croatia are an autochthonous national minority recognized by the Constitution of Croatia. As such, they elect a special representative to the Croatian Parliament, shared with members of four other national minorities.[1]
In the 2011 Croatian census, there were 17,513 Albanians living in Croatia, 0.41% of total population. The largest religious groups among the Albanians were Muslims (9,594 or 54.8% of them) and Catholics (7,109 or 40.6% of them).[2]
In the 1712/14 census done in Lika and Krbava among Vlach population, and other documents, were found many surnames with Albanian and Arbanasi word roots, and suffixes "-aj" (e.g. Bulaja, Mataija, Šolaja, Saraja, Suknajić, Rapajić), "-ez" (Kokez, Kekez, Ivez, Malez etc.), Šimleša, Šimrak, Šinđo/a/n, Šintić, Kalember, Flego, Macura, Cecić, Kekić, Zotović and many others.[3][4]
The Albanians in Croatia come from various historical periods, in Middle Ages existed in coastal cities or mostly assimilated with Vlachs, in the 17th and 18th century happened Arbanasi migration, and in modern time came as seasonal workers or war refugees. Despite existence of surnames with linguistically Albanian origin, before modern day time, today those people who bare that surnames can't be considered as Albanians.[4]
Albanians of Croatia are an autochthonous national minority recognized by the Constitution of Croatia. As such, they elect a special representative to the Croatian Parliament, shared with members of four other national minorities.[1]
In the 2011 Croatian census, there were 17,513 Albanians living in Croatia, 0.41% of total population. The largest religious groups among the Albanians were Muslims (9,594 or 54.8% of them) and Catholics (7,109 or 40.6% of them).[2]
In the 1712/14 census done in Lika and Krbava among Vlach population, and other documents, were found many surnames with Albanian and Arbanasi word roots, and suffixes "-aj" (e.g. Bulaja, Mataija, Šolaja, Saraja, Suknajić, Rapajić), "-ez" (Kokez, Kekez, Ivez, Malez etc.), Šimleša, Šimrak, Šinđo/a/n, Šintić, Kalember, Flego, Macura, Cecić, Kekić, Zotović and many others.[3][4]
The Albanians in Croatia come from various historical periods, in Middle Ages existed in coastal cities or mostly assimilated with Vlachs, in the 17th and 18th century happened Arbanasi migration, and in modern time came as seasonal workers or war refugees. Despite existence of surnames with linguistically Albanian origin, before modern day time, today those people who bare that surnames can't be considered as Albanians.[4]
Distribution
Today, the community is spread across Croatia. Their original settlements were Arbanasi of Zadar and some villages around Zadar, namely Zemunik, Dračevac, Crno, Ploča, etc.[3] The inhabitants of this one time village were known as the Arbanasi (or simply, the "Albanians" in Croatian). The Arbanasi are known to have settled the area during two different periods of migration; the first in 1655 and the second in 1726-33. These settlers were said to be part of the Kastrioti clan, one of the numerous Northern Albanian clans known to have existed.[3]
History
The origin of this population is thought to be from Skadar lake region in Northwestern Albania, the villages Briska, Šestan and Livar.[4] Arbanasi have migrated in two different periods, during the mid-17th and 18th century.[3] A demonstration that the origin of the Albanians of Arbanasi was not along the coast is that in their language most of the names of the fish come from the Croatian language.[3]
The first group of Arbanasi group of Albanians that migrated to Croatia included a community that settled near Pula, Istria, in 1655.[1] The second and the third group that migrated 1726–1727 and 1733, were supported and planned by Zadar Archbishop Vicko Zmajević and the Venice Republic to repopulate Zadar countryside and hinterland.[4] The second migration is first mentioned in March 23, 1726, when first arrivals who numbered around 56 individuals, and afterwards another 28 families, were temporarily settled in Kaštel Novi, today Herceg Novi. It is considered that they arrived in Zadar in the summer, in July. The group was guided by two brothers Pretani, and are mentioned Luca d'Andrea Gezghenovich, Nicolo di Luca Marghicevich, Nicolo d'Andrea Gasparovich, Giovanni d'Andrea Gezghenovich, Pere di Marco, Prem Vuca Marghicevich, Paolo Giech Marghicevich, Giech Prend Marghicevich, Giech Pepa Marghicevich, Marco Discialo Marghicevich, Prenz Prema Marghicevich, Petar Vuca Gianova, Nico Matessich, Luca Prend, Boso Nico Smira, Stanica Gielencovich, Visco Gielencovich, Lech Pero Marghicevich i Luca Lucich.
The third group's migration was in 1733, and in the document from March 11, 1735 can be seen another 28 families and some members: Nicolo Andre, Crasto Covac, Marco Giocca, Giocca Gionon, Giocca Giuchin, Stjepo Gjuri, Stiepo Luco, Prento Kneunichi, Lecca Marco, Prento Marcov, Paolo Marussich, Mar Mazia, Marco Nicadobrez, Pema Nichin, Nicolo Pantov, Marco Pertu, Frane Popovich, Paolo Prendi, Nicola Rose, Rado Ruco, Gen Sperc, Prento Stani, Vuco Tamartinovich, Vuksa Tancovich, Pietro Tioba, Andrea Toma, Capitano Nicolo Vlagdan i Jovan Vucin. They bore surnames Duka (Duca), Prema (extinct), Mazija (Mazia), Cotić (extinct branch of Mazija), Marušić, Ratković, Krstić, Stipčević, Mužanović (initially called Kovač), Maršan, Vladović (Vlagdan), Luco, Relja (branch of Vladović), Nikpalj, Musap (branch of Duka), Morović (from Petani), Prenđa (Prendi), Gjergja (Đerda), Tokša, Tamartinović, as well three Montenegrin families Zanković, Popović, and Škopelja.[5] Other surnames are Dešpalj, Kalmeta, Karuc (Karuz), Kotlar, Jelenković, Jović, Perović, Vukić and Ćurković.[6]
Around the same time, Chakavian-speaking families from Kukljica, Ugljan, and Zadar hinterland, settled among the Arbanasi, and included: Bajlo, Dadić, Tomas, Ćućula, Matešić, Matijaš, Bulić, Banić, Smolčić, Grdović, Zubčić, Ljubičić, Labus, who eventually integrated into the Arbanasi community to the extent that they are now considered real Arbanasi.[5][6]
Their church, Saint Mary of Loreto, was built from 1734, and founded in 1737.[6]
All these groups were integrated into the social and economic sphere of Venetian Dalmatia, but they preserved their language and their customs and songs. First, the Albanian community worked to reclaim the marshy areas near the Arbanas, which was originally an island now connected to the mainland, and then got the leasing right of cultivation of the land.The Venetian government took charge of construction of many homes and, at first, even meals.[7][8][9]
Since 1901 the Arbanasi are also equipped with an Albanian school and in 1910 James Vuçani promoted and organized the "Italo-Albanian Association".[7][8][9] After the Second World War, many Arbanasi from village Borgo Erizzo emigrated to Italy, following the Yugoslav takeover of Zadar.[7][8][9] In modern times about 4000 Arbanasi remain in Croatia.[1]
The first group of Arbanasi group of Albanians that migrated to Croatia included a community that settled near Pula, Istria, in 1655.[1] The second and the third group that migrated 1726–1727 and 1733, were supported and planned by Zadar Archbishop Vicko Zmajević and the Venice Republic to repopulate Zadar countryside and hinterland.[4] The second migration is first mentioned in March 23, 1726, when first arrivals who numbered around 56 individuals, and afterwards another 28 families, were temporarily settled in Kaštel Novi, today Herceg Novi. It is considered that they arrived in Zadar in the summer, in July. The group was guided by two brothers Pretani, and are mentioned Luca d'Andrea Gezghenovich, Nicolo di Luca Marghicevich, Nicolo d'Andrea Gasparovich, Giovanni d'Andrea Gezghenovich, Pere di Marco, Prem Vuca Marghicevich, Paolo Giech Marghicevich, Giech Prend Marghicevich, Giech Pepa Marghicevich, Marco Discialo Marghicevich, Prenz Prema Marghicevich, Petar Vuca Gianova, Nico Matessich, Luca Prend, Boso Nico Smira, Stanica Gielencovich, Visco Gielencovich, Lech Pero Marghicevich i Luca Lucich.
The third group's migration was in 1733, and in the document from March 11, 1735 can be seen another 28 families and some members: Nicolo Andre, Crasto Covac, Marco Giocca, Giocca Gionon, Giocca Giuchin, Stjepo Gjuri, Stiepo Luco, Prento Kneunichi, Lecca Marco, Prento Marcov, Paolo Marussich, Mar Mazia, Marco Nicadobrez, Pema Nichin, Nicolo Pantov, Marco Pertu, Frane Popovich, Paolo Prendi, Nicola Rose, Rado Ruco, Gen Sperc, Prento Stani, Vuco Tamartinovich, Vuksa Tancovich, Pietro Tioba, Andrea Toma, Capitano Nicolo Vlagdan i Jovan Vucin. They bore surnames Duka (Duca), Prema (extinct), Mazija (Mazia), Cotić (extinct branch of Mazija), Marušić, Ratković, Krstić, Stipčević, Mužanović (initially called Kovač), Maršan, Vladović (Vlagdan), Luco, Relja (branch of Vladović), Nikpalj, Musap (branch of Duka), Morović (from Petani), Prenđa (Prendi), Gjergja (Đerda), Tokša, Tamartinović, as well three Montenegrin families Zanković, Popović, and Škopelja.[5] Other surnames are Dešpalj, Kalmeta, Karuc (Karuz), Kotlar, Jelenković, Jović, Perović, Vukić and Ćurković.[6]
Around the same time, Chakavian-speaking families from Kukljica, Ugljan, and Zadar hinterland, settled among the Arbanasi, and included: Bajlo, Dadić, Tomas, Ćućula, Matešić, Matijaš, Bulić, Banić, Smolčić, Grdović, Zubčić, Ljubičić, Labus, who eventually integrated into the Arbanasi community to the extent that they are now considered real Arbanasi.[5][6]
Their church, Saint Mary of Loreto, was built from 1734, and founded in 1737.[6]
All these groups were integrated into the social and economic sphere of Venetian Dalmatia, but they preserved their language and their customs and songs. First, the Albanian community worked to reclaim the marshy areas near the Arbanas, which was originally an island now connected to the mainland, and then got the leasing right of cultivation of the land.The Venetian government took charge of construction of many homes and, at first, even meals.[7][8][9]
Since 1901 the Arbanasi are also equipped with an Albanian school and in 1910 James Vuçani promoted and organized the "Italo-Albanian Association".[7][8][9] After the Second World War, many Arbanasi from village Borgo Erizzo emigrated to Italy, following the Yugoslav takeover of Zadar.[7][8][9] In modern times about 4000 Arbanasi remain in Croatia.[1]
Noble People
- Hrvoje Macanović (1904-1980) – sport journalist
- Kruno Krstić (1905-1987) – lexicographer
- Šime (Simeone) Duka (1915-2006) – secretary of Vatican archives
- Ratimir Kalmeta (1916-2005) – geographer and linguist
- Nikša Stipčević (1929-2011) – linguist, and high member of SANU and Matica srpska
- Aleksandar Stipčević (b. 1930) – an archeologist, historian, and member of ASHAK
- Pavle Dešpalj (b. 1934) – music conductor and composer, member of HAZU
- Josip Gjergja (b. 1937) – basketball player.
- Ivan Prenđa (1939-2010) – archbishop of the Archdiocese of Zadar
- Đani Maršan (b. 1944) – singer, musician, diplomat and Croatian Consul
- Valter Dešpalj (b. 1947) – cellist and professor on Academy of Music in Zagreb
- Bernard Kotlar (b. 1956) – In 2002 was honoured for the first multimedia CD Zadarski Arbanasi with city Zadar award Grb grada Zadra
- Mladen Grdović (b. 1958) – singer
- Božidar Kalmeta (b. 1958) – Mayor of Zadar 1994–2003 and 2013-present, former Croatian government minister
- Agron Preteni (b. 1990) – kickboxer
Arbanasi in Bulgaria
Arbanasi (Bulgarian: Арбанаси, also transliterated as Arbanassi) is a village in Veliko Tarnovo Municipality, Veliko Tarnovo Province of central northern Bulgaria, set on a high plateau between the larger towns of Veliko Tarnovo (four kilometres away) and Gorna Oryahovitsa. It is known for the rich history and large number of historical monuments, such as 17th- and 18th-century churches and examples of Bulgarian National Revival architecture, which have turned it into a popular tourist destination.
The village's name comes from the Albanian word Arbërës or Arbanas, From this root word, the Turkish arnavut, was used to denote Albanians and other people that came from parts of Macedonia and Albania that had a large Albanian population. As of 2005, Arbanasi has a population of 291 and the mayor is Tosho Krastev. It lies at 43°6′N 25°40′E, 400 metres above sea level.
The earliest written document that marks the beginning of Arbanasi's history is a royal decree by the Ottoman sultan Suleiman the Magnificent from 1538, according to which the sultan offered the lands of the modern localities of Arbanasi, Lyaskovets, Gorna Oryahovitsa and Dolna Oryahovitsa to his son-in-law Grand Vizier Rustem Pasha as a gift. The four villages are united under the name Arnaud Kariyeleri ("the Albanian villages") in the document, and the first settlers may have been Albanians and Greeks from Epirus; although Albanian-sounding names could be found in the Ottoman tax registers, Orthodox and Slavic names already prevailed.
The tax registers of 1541–1544 describe Arnavud köy (also Darı ova) as a village of 63 households and 72 unmarried men. In 1579–1580, it already numbered 271 households and 277 unmarried men, or a quadruple increase for forty years, indicating an influx of settlers. The village preserved its purely Christian character and prospered in the 17th century.
Other sources that mention Arbanasi are the notes of Pavel Đorđić from 10 January 1595 addressed to the Transylvanian Prince Sigismund Báthory. The village is also mentioned by the Roman Catholic bishop of Sofia Petar Bogdan Bakshev, who visited Tarnovo in 1640. He remarked there was a village up in the mountains, from where the whole of Tarnovo could be seen, that had about 1,000 houses. Another Roman Catholic bishop, Anton Stefanov, refers to Arbanasi in 1685. According to his account, there were Arbanasi merchants trading in Italy,Hungary, Poland and particularly in Muscovy.
The village's name comes from the Albanian word Arbërës or Arbanas, From this root word, the Turkish arnavut, was used to denote Albanians and other people that came from parts of Macedonia and Albania that had a large Albanian population. As of 2005, Arbanasi has a population of 291 and the mayor is Tosho Krastev. It lies at 43°6′N 25°40′E, 400 metres above sea level.
The earliest written document that marks the beginning of Arbanasi's history is a royal decree by the Ottoman sultan Suleiman the Magnificent from 1538, according to which the sultan offered the lands of the modern localities of Arbanasi, Lyaskovets, Gorna Oryahovitsa and Dolna Oryahovitsa to his son-in-law Grand Vizier Rustem Pasha as a gift. The four villages are united under the name Arnaud Kariyeleri ("the Albanian villages") in the document, and the first settlers may have been Albanians and Greeks from Epirus; although Albanian-sounding names could be found in the Ottoman tax registers, Orthodox and Slavic names already prevailed.
The tax registers of 1541–1544 describe Arnavud köy (also Darı ova) as a village of 63 households and 72 unmarried men. In 1579–1580, it already numbered 271 households and 277 unmarried men, or a quadruple increase for forty years, indicating an influx of settlers. The village preserved its purely Christian character and prospered in the 17th century.
Other sources that mention Arbanasi are the notes of Pavel Đorđić from 10 January 1595 addressed to the Transylvanian Prince Sigismund Báthory. The village is also mentioned by the Roman Catholic bishop of Sofia Petar Bogdan Bakshev, who visited Tarnovo in 1640. He remarked there was a village up in the mountains, from where the whole of Tarnovo could be seen, that had about 1,000 houses. Another Roman Catholic bishop, Anton Stefanov, refers to Arbanasi in 1685. According to his account, there were Arbanasi merchants trading in Italy,Hungary, Poland and particularly in Muscovy.
Also see
References
External links
- Elsie, Robert (2004). Historical dictionary of Albania. Scarecrow Press. p. 147. ISBN 978-0-8108-4872-6. Retrieved 27 December 2010.
- Victor A. Friedman (1997). One Grammar, Three Lexicons: Ideological Overtones and Underpinnings in the Balkan Sprachbund (PDF). University of Chicago.
- Mijo Čurković (1922). Povijest Arbanasa kod Zadra. E. Vitaliani.
- Barančić, Maximilijana (2008). "Arbanasi i etnojezični identitet" (in Croatian). Zadar: Croatica et Slavica Iadertina; Sveučilište u Zadru.
- Lorger, Srećko (2004). "Bajli - čakavski Arbanasi" (in Croatian). Mozaik; Slobodna Dalmacija.
- Stagličić, Ivan; Barančić, Maximilijana (2011). "Arbanasi su se prvo doselili u Zemunik" (in Croatian). Donat; Zadarski list.
- Erber, Tullio (1883). The Albanian colony of Arbanas village near Zadar, the history. G. Flori.
- Tagliavini, Carlo (1937). Albanians of Dalmatia, contributions to knowledge of the dialect of Arbanasi, near Zadar. Florence: Olschki.
- Marussi, Beppo; Stazzi, Valentina; Ptolemy, Rita (2006). Arbanas of Zara of that time. The calamo.
- "Pravo pripadnika nacionalnih manjina u Republici Hrvatskoj na zastupljenost u Hrvatskom saboru". Zakon o izborima zastupnika u Hrvatski sabor (in Croatian). Croatian Parliament. Retrieved 2011-12-29.
- 4. Population by ethnicity and religion". Census of Population, Households and Dwellings 2011. Croatian Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 2012-12-17.
- Šarić, Marko (2009), "Predmoderne etnije u Lici i Krbavi prema popisu iz 1712./14.", in Željko Holjevac, Identitet Like: Korijeni i razvitak (PDF) (in Croatian) 1, Zagreb: Institut društvenih znanosti Ivo Pilar, p. 370, ISBN 978-953-6666-65-2
- P. Šimunović, F. Maletić (2008). Hrvatski prezimenik (in Croatian) 1. Zagreb: Golden marketing. pp. 41–42, 101–102.
External links
- "Štorija o zadarskim Arbanasima" (in Croatian).
- "ARBNESHET E ZARES" (in Albanian).