Gjokaj

Gjokaj is a large Albanian clan of Gruda from the town of Milesh, which is located near the city of Tuzi in Malësia. Gjokajs are not the barjaktar (flag-bearers) of Gruda (that title is held by the Ivezaj clan), but they are a well known and respected family in Malësia. They are the house that produced the legendary hero Baca Kurti. Baca Kurti Gjokaj had taken part in the 1878 League of Prizren, a movement formed to seek the national independence of Albania from the Ottoman Empire. He is known to Albanians world wide. Songs and poems were composed in his honor. The Gjokaj clan boasts many branches and nearly 14 generations. The name Gjokaj derives from Gjokë. Gjokë's great-great-grandfather is known to have been Bani Gruda. Prelë Bruçi Gjokaj, the great-grandson of Gjokë had three sons:

1. Gjekë Prela
2. Dodë Prela
3. Mark Prela

Present day descendants of Gjekë Prela are Gjekaj, descendants of Dodë Prela are Rexhaj, and descendants of Mark Prela are Mehaj and Jusaj, (these names are only used to specify the immediate families.) Although they belong to two different faiths, they all continue to beart the last name Gjokaj. Gjekë Prela was the father of legend Baca Kurti. Mehmet Murati and his nephew Ahmet Muji (from Mark Prela) are known for their respect, hospitality, honor and intelligence. Gjergj Daku Gjokaj, a well known professor, poet, publicist, humanitarian and politician in Malësia also belongs to the Gjokaj clan of Milesh. Gjergj Daku was an External Trustee of the school in Pristina, Kosovo, "Akademia e Shkencave dhe e Arteve e Kosovës".

The Gjokaj ancestry as follows: (the younger generations are not added)

Family line of Gjekaj- (Leke Mirashi)

Lekë Mirashi
Mirash Gjoka
Gjokë Kola
Kolë Kurti
Kurt Gjeka
Gjekë Prela
Prel Bruci
Bruç Vukota (Vuksani)
Vukotë Gjoka

Family line of Rexhaj- (Adem Sadiku)

Adem Sadiku
Sadik Rexhi
Rexh Mehmeti
Mehmet Alia
Ali Doda
Dodë Prela
Prelë Bruci
Bruç Vukota (Vuksani)
Vukotë Gjoka

Family line of Mehaj- (Shaban Muji)

Shaban Muji
Muj Murati
Murat Mehi
Meh Muca
Muc Smaili
Smail Marku
Mark Prela
Prelë Bruci
Bruç Vukota (Vuksani)
Vukotë Gjoka

Family line of Jusaj- (Smail Lezi)

Smail Lezi
Lez Biku
Bikë Jusi
Jus Muca
Muc Smaili
Smail Marku
Mark Prela
Prelë Bruci
Bruç Vukota (Vuksani)
Vukotë Gjoka

Due to the fact that the Gjokajs of Milesh, (Gruda) are a large clan, not all of its branches are mentioned. Although there are smaller clans with the name Gjokaj, they are not related to the Gjokajs of Milesh. Other families such as the Gjokiq's aren't Gjokaj's either.

References

The Gjokic of Grud that keeps editing this page and erasing the page on Gjokajs of Triesh Ja Qift Tan Bota Nanen me gjeth far e fis qi ke.