Dukagjin
Encyclopedia
Dukagjin is a region in Northern Albania
and western Kosovo
, which contains the Prokletije
, an extension of the Dinaric Alps
range. The highest point is Maja Jezerce (2694 m).
It is inhabited by nine fraternal tribes;
All nine tribes within Dukagjini belong to the Roman Catholic faith, although the Dukagjini of Kosovo is primarily considered Muslim. Today, the region is a part of the Shkodër
district in Albania, except for the Merturi tribe, which is part of the Tropojë
district in Albania.
The name "Dukagjini" derives from Lekë Dukagjini
, the unifier and legislator of the Albanian highland law, the Kanun. Leka became leader of the Albanian resistance against Turkish onslaught, right after the death of Skenderbeg. He fought bravely aside with his men for another thirteen years until his death.
(modern Lipjan), which is now in Kosovo. Lipljan was indeed the birthplace of Lekë Dukagjini, although other sources claim he was born in the Northern Prokletije. Roman Catholicism claimed to be the official religion of the region until the invasion of the Turks, forcing most of the Kosovo part of the region to convert to Islam, while the rest of the region still managed to defend their faith.
Throughout all of the 500 years of Turkish dominance, the region of Dukagjini did acquire most independence of all Albanian lands, along with Malësi e Madhe. Bravery, rough terrain, and unity kept this region from falling to the Turks, as did several other Albanian regions and districts. Dukagjini did reach its climax under the leadership of Lekë Dukagjini, who was Prince right after his father Pal. As a dedicated Prince, Leka managed to spread the concept of unity through his works of the "Kanun", this Kanun was later to be called "Kanuni i Lekë Dukagjinit" as proclaimed by the great George Kastrioti himself. Leka also managed to defend the Albanian lands from the Ottoman's for another 13 years after George Kastrioti's death, when finally it had fallen to them on the year of 1480.
After the death of Leka, the region was no more a princedom but rather a region of lesser hierarchy. Instead of a central power, the region was broken down to smaller powers that acted as one in maintaining unity throughout the whole region. The smaller powers were handed to the Bajraktar (flagbearer) of each Bajrak, meaning tribe.
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
and western Kosovo
Kosovo
Kosovo is a region in southeastern Europe. Part of the Ottoman Empire for more than five centuries, later the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija within Serbia...
, which contains the Prokletije
Prokletije
Prokletije or Albanian Alps is a mountain range in the Balkans that extends from northern Albania, to southwestern Serbia and eastern Montenegro. Its highest point, Jezercë in Albania at , is the tallest peak in the entire Dinaric Alps...
, an extension of the Dinaric Alps
Dinaric Alps
The Dinaric Alps or Dinarides form a mountain chain in Southern Europe, spanning areas of Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo, Albania and Montenegro....
range. The highest point is Maja Jezerce (2694 m).
It is inhabited by nine fraternal tribes;
- Shala
- Shoshi
- Nikaj
- Merturi
- Shllaku
- Temali
- Xhani
- Kiri
- Plani
All nine tribes within Dukagjini belong to the Roman Catholic faith, although the Dukagjini of Kosovo is primarily considered Muslim. Today, the region is a part of the Shkodër
Shkodër District
The District of Shkodër is one of the thirty-six districts of Albania, part of Shkodër County. It has a population of 185,646 , and an area of 1,973 km². It is in the north of the country, and its capital is Shkodër...
district in Albania, except for the Merturi tribe, which is part of the Tropojë
Tropojë District
The District of Tropojë is one of the thirty-six districts of Albania, part of Kukës County. It has a population of 16,260 , and an area of 1,043 km². It is in the north of the country, and its capital is Bajram Curri. The area is also known for its massive chestnuts forests and the Valbonë...
district in Albania.
The name "Dukagjini" derives from Lekë Dukagjini
Lekë Dukagjini
Lekë III Dukagjini was an Albanian prince who fought against the Ottoman Empire. A contemporary of Skanderbeg, Dukagjini is known for the Kanuni i Lekë Dukagjinit, a code of law instituted in northern Albania.- Biography :...
, the unifier and legislator of the Albanian highland law, the Kanun. Leka became leader of the Albanian resistance against Turkish onslaught, right after the death of Skenderbeg. He fought bravely aside with his men for another thirteen years until his death.
History
The Dukagjini region of Northern Albania and Western Kosovo was first created under the leadership of Prince Pal Dukagjini (father of Leka Dukagjini) in around the late 14th century. The original capital of the once princedom was UlpianaUlpiana
Ulpiana was an ancient Roman city located in what is today Kosovo. It was also named Justiniana Secunda. Ulpiana is situated in the municipality of Lipljan...
(modern Lipjan), which is now in Kosovo. Lipljan was indeed the birthplace of Lekë Dukagjini, although other sources claim he was born in the Northern Prokletije. Roman Catholicism claimed to be the official religion of the region until the invasion of the Turks, forcing most of the Kosovo part of the region to convert to Islam, while the rest of the region still managed to defend their faith.
Throughout all of the 500 years of Turkish dominance, the region of Dukagjini did acquire most independence of all Albanian lands, along with Malësi e Madhe. Bravery, rough terrain, and unity kept this region from falling to the Turks, as did several other Albanian regions and districts. Dukagjini did reach its climax under the leadership of Lekë Dukagjini, who was Prince right after his father Pal. As a dedicated Prince, Leka managed to spread the concept of unity through his works of the "Kanun", this Kanun was later to be called "Kanuni i Lekë Dukagjinit" as proclaimed by the great George Kastrioti himself. Leka also managed to defend the Albanian lands from the Ottoman's for another 13 years after George Kastrioti's death, when finally it had fallen to them on the year of 1480.
After the death of Leka, the region was no more a princedom but rather a region of lesser hierarchy. Instead of a central power, the region was broken down to smaller powers that acted as one in maintaining unity throughout the whole region. The smaller powers were handed to the Bajraktar (flagbearer) of each Bajrak, meaning tribe.