Albanians in Montenegro

Albanians in Montenegro constitute 4.91% of the county's total population. They mainly live in South-Eastern Montenegro, in the region commonly known as Malesija as well as in the municipality of Ulcinj (Albanian: Ulqin).

Geography

In the municipality of Ulcinj, Albanians form the majority of population (70.66% according to 2011 census). A large Albanian community also exists in the Tuzi area within the Podgorica municipality (making up part of the cultural region known as Malesija). As of 2003, there were a total of 9,296 Albanians in Podgorica municipality, 2,300 of which live in Tuzi (the rest living in the rural area around Tuzi, to the North of Lake Scadar). There is also a significant presence of Albanians in parts of Plav (2,719 or 19.7%)^{[citation needed]} and Rožaje (1,008 or 4.44%), as well as in Bar (3,036 or 7.61%), Hoti, Gruda, Triesh, Koja, and Krajina.

Religion

According to the 2003 Census, most of the Albanians living in Montenegro are Muslim by faith, but a significant Roman Catholic minority also exists. In 2003, 73.37% of them were Muslim and 26.08% were Roman Catholic.

Culture

Albanian outpost in montenegro

The government of Montenegro provides Albanian-language education in the local primary and secondary schools. There are also some university-level courses in Podgorica offered in Albanian. Montenegrin Albanian culture in this region is closely related to the culture of Albanians in Albania, and the city of Shkodër in particular. Their Albanian language dialect is Gheg as of Albanians in Northern Albania. Predominant religions of Albanians in this region are Roman Catholic and Muslim.

Prominent individuals

• Gjon Buzuku - was an Albanian Catholic clergyman born in Ljare in the 16th century. He was the writer of Meshari, the first book written in Albanian.
• Baca Kurti Gjokaj - Albanian nationalist
• Enver Gjokaj - Albanian-American actor
• Ded Gjo Luli (1840–1915) one of the leading nationalists of the Albanian revolt against Turkey in the early 1900s. He is known for starting the revolution for Albanian Independence, along with Luigj Gurakuqi, Ismail Qemali, and Isa Boletini.
• Nikollë Nikprelaj - Albanian singer
• Emina Cunmulaj - Albanian-American model
• Rexhep Qosja - prominent Albanian politician and writer (lives in Kosovo)
• Cok Hiri Rudaj- Albanian General Born in Shtoj-Ulqin , Defeated the Montenegrin Army and held the Albanian border until the Albanian government called him back after the Treaty of London was signed in 1915.

See also

• Malësia
• Malesija, Montenegro
• Greater Albania
• Montenegro
• Albanians
• Albanian Language
• Albanians in Kosovo
• Albanians in the Republic of Macedonia
• Albanians in Central Serbia

Gallery

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  Albanians in Montenegro according to the 2003 census municipality data.

References

SHKA Gruda