Lika Ceni

Lika Ceni
Born	1749 (1749) Ulcinj, Sanjak of Scutari, Ottoman Empire (modern day Montenegro)
Nationality	Albanian
Other names	Ali Kaceni, Ali Kapidani, Likacen-Lazoja
Occupation(s)	Captain, Pirate Commander
Awards	Captain

Lika Ceni (born 1749, Ulqin) known as Kapidan Likaceni, was an Albanian pirate leader.

Born in the early 1700s, Likaceni was far from an ordinary mariner; but a fearless and cunning warrior of the Sea. Upon Likaceni's return to Ulqin after extensive sea voyages, there would be festivities that would ensue for three days and nights. Legend has it - The local townsfolk always eagerly anticipated the captain’s return, knowing he almost always brought gifts, especially for widows and orphaned children whose fathers had perished at sea. Year after year, alongside his trade expeditions, Likaceni found himself in confrontations with various ships flying under the banners of Venice, the Ottoman Empire and other nations. Through his expert seamanship, Captain Likaceni often outmatched rival vessels, commandeering their cargo to distribute upon his return to Ulcinj. A portion was allocated as a mandatory tax to the city authorities, another portion divided equally among the crew, and a significant share earmarked for charitable causes such as building the Meraja Mosque in Ulqin – where the ruins of it still pierce the earth.. In one notorious incident, amidst escalating pirate raids during the 18th century, the Greek pirate Lambros Katsonis, known throughout the Balkans as Karallampo (Black Lambro), crossed a critical threshold. He pillaged a ship carrying pilgrims en route to Mecca, not only plundering them but also sinking their vessel, resulting in the loss of all aboard. Incensed, the Sultan vowed to capture the Greek pirate, offering a handsome reward to whoever achieved this feat. Given his history with the Sultan, Likaceni saw an opportunity to redeem himself and secure freedom for his voyages in the Adriatic and Mediterranean. Thus, he resolved to challenge the notorious pirate to a duel. "Should I not return alive, do not lament me, but remember me with songs and dances!" declared Captain Likaceni to the gathered locals. News spread swiftly, rallying the entire community regardless of age or experience, alongside Ulqinak sailors dreaming of fighting alongside the renowned Likaceni against Karallampo. Likaceni was filled with pride at the sight, thanking his fellow citizens for their unwavering trust. Without hesitation, he assembled his core crew, unfurled the sails, and set course into the vast expanse of the sea. The weather that day was favorable, imbuing the Ulqinaks with a sense that nothing would remain the same thereafter. Deliberately sailing into waters claimed by the pirate Karallampo, Likaceni's ship eventually crossed paths with its adversary after a week. As Karallampo regarded the Black Sea territory as his domain, he extended hospitality to Likaceni before their duel, which the latter accepted. That evening, Likaceni boarded Karallampo's ship for a lavish dinner in the host's quarters. Meanwhile, Karallampo's In the legend of Lambros, it said that he died in battle with the Turks in Crimea; crew positioned a barrel of gunpowder with a lit candle atop, intended to intimidate the Ulqinian. However, Likaceni remained resolute, unfazed by the spectacle, continuing his dinner unperturbed even as the candle flickered out atop the gunpowder barrel. Karallampo recognized the mettle of a true Sea Wolf who couldn't be cowed.

Following a night of feasting, conversation, and exchange of pleasantries, Likaceni bid farewell to return to his own vessel. In a gesture of reciprocity, he invited Karallampo to his ship the next day. Upon visiting Likaceni's ship, Karallampo hesitated upon observing the deck filled with barrels and lit candles, a potential hazard. His refusal to enter signified the fear instilled by Likaceni's action. This apprehension led to a challenge by Likaceni to Karallampo, who bravely accepted - to determine good and all who will hold sway over the seas for years to come. After a fierce duel, in the sight his crew and that Karallampo’s – Lika Ceni slew the infamous Karallampo – to the roar of his men aboard. After the battle, he allowed the Greeks to flee and promptly directed his helmsman to steer towards Istanbul, insisting on delivering Karallampo's head to the Sultan himself. Upon docking in the Bosphorus, Likaceni promptly sent a message to the Sultan, elucidating the purpose of his visit. The Sultan extended an immediate invitation to his palace, where Likaceni was bestowed with the noble Ottoman title of Kapidan – or Captain in English - and his entire crew were lavishly entertained. They were treated to an extraordinary feast featuring performers from various lands, including dancers from Armenia, tamed tigers from India, acrobats from Samarkand, and more. Despite the notorious pirate Karallampo now being consigned to history, the Sultan harbored discontent due to his preference for Karallampo being captured alive. Sensing the Sultan's dissatisfaction during the banquet, Captain Likaceni remained unable to discern the Sultan's ulterior motives. During a clandestine dinner, the Sultan covertly instructed the addition of sleep-inducing poison to the drinks, causing Likaceni to succumb to unconsciousness. He awoke the next morning in the depths of the palace dungeons, his memory clouded except for fleeting recollections of the entertainment from the night before. Meanwhile, the Ulqinak crew awaited Likaceni's return aboard their ship, eager to set sail for Ulcinj. Days passed with no sign of Likaceni's release. Confined to this ottoman prison cell, he realized the Sultan's deceit, understanding that treachery awaited him instead of the redemption he had sought. In the depths of his despair, an idea sparked within him, one he resolved to put into action. He beckoned the prison guard, offering a reward of gold rivaling the Sultan's payment should he set him free. Initially hesitant, the guard, swayed by Likaceni's wit and persuasive words, eventually relented. Seizing the moment, Likaceni instructed the guard to inform his Ulqinak crew to prepare for his imminent return home.

True to his word, the guard delivered the message to Likaceni's ship, where Halit, Likaceni's nephew, expressed gratitude and handed over a bag of gold. Although initially suspicious, Halit, seasoned both in life and at sea, recognized the guard's apprehension and shared a heartfelt warning about the potential dangers Likaceni's captivity posed to the guard's family. Stirred by

fear, resentment, and determination, the guard accepted Likaceni's offer, reinforced with two additional bags of gold, vowing to ensure Likaceni's safe return. With the aid of Tosun-aga and his own resourcefulness, Likaceni executed the escape plan flawlessly. Expressing his gratitude, Likaceni extended an invitation for Tosun-aga and his family to join him in Ulcinj, safeguarding them from any retribution the Sultan may attempt to deliver. After bidding farewell, they pledged to reunite in three months at the mill in Istanbul, where Tosun-aga would assist them in migrating to Ulcinj. Meanwhile, the guards discovered Likaceni's escape and raised the protective chain at the main gate to prevent further departure. Leveraging the ship's cargo of wheat, Likaceni ingeniously manipulated its weight distribution, allowing the ship to breach the seemingly impassable barrier. With unparalleled speed, the ship raced towards Ulcinj, where news of Likaceni's imprisonment and the Sultan's treachery had already spread. The people, resigned to Likaceni's fate, had begun to drown their sorrows in wine and song. Yet, their despair turned to astonishment as Likaceni's ship emerged on the horizon, ensuring the legend of Likaceni's bravery, fearlessness, and pride would endure through the ages. This event is immortalized in local traditions with the short poem in Albanian:

"Gerset pushka, ushton deti

Mendon turku se u ba gazepi

Lika Ceni përmbi barkë:

-Mirëse ju gjeta, ulqinakë:

-Mirëse vjen trimi jonë

ty të paçim përgjithmonë. Hajde, hajde Lika Cen

t'u përzi hallva me rrem

t'u sjell dreka më dyzen."

And thus his legend and tales of courage and bravery survives today amongst the local population of Ulqin – along with his direct descendants still survive in Ulqin under the surnames of Lazoja and Kapidani.

See also

• Albanian piracy