Ancient tribes in Albania

The Albanian tribes (Albanian: fiset shqiptare) form a historical mode of social organization (farefisní) in Albania and the southwestern Balkans characterized by a common culture, often common patrilineal kinship ties and shared social ties. The fis (Albanian definite form: fisi; commonly translated as “tribe”, also as “clan” or “kin” community) stands at the center of Albanian organization based on kinship relations, a concept that can be found among southern Albanians also with the term farë (Albanian definite form: fara).

Inherited from ancient Illyrian social structures, Albanian tribal society emerged in the early Middle Ages as the dominant form of social organization among Albanians. The development of feudalism came to both antagonize it, and slowly integrate aspects of it in Albanian feudal society, as most noble families themselves came from these tribes and depended on their support. This process stopped after the Ottoman conquest of Albania and the Balkans in the late 15th century and was followed by a process of strengthening of the tribe (fis) as a means of organization against Ottoman centralization particularly in the mountains of northern Albania and adjacent areas of Montenegro.

It also remained in a less developed system in southern Albania where large feudal estates and later trade and urban centres began to develop at the expense of tribal organization. One of the most particular elements of the Albanian tribal structure is its dependence on the Kanun, a code of Albanian oral customary laws. Most tribes engaged in warfare against external forces like the Ottoman Empire. Some also engaged in limited inter-tribal struggle for the control of resources.

Until the early years of the 20th century, Albanian tribal society remained largely intact until the rise to power of the communist regime in 1944, and is considered to be the only example of a tribal social system with tribal chiefs and councils, blood feuds and oral customary laws, to survive in Europe until the middle of the 20th century

 

Subcategories

This category has the following 2 subcategories, out of 2 total.

E

Ancient tribes in Epirus (2 C, 20 P)

M

Ancient tribes in Macedonia (3 C, 18 P)

Pages in category “Ancient tribes in Albania”

The following 22 pages are in this category, out of 22 total. This list may not reflect recent changes.

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List of ancient tribes in Illyria

A

Abroi

Albanoi

Ardiaei

Amantes (tribe)

Atintanians

Autariatae

B

Balaites

Bryges

Bylliones

C

Chaonians

D

Dassaretii

Dexaroi

E

Enchele

G

Grabaei

I

Illyrian Eneti

Illyrians

Illyrii proprie dicti

L

Labeatae

P

Parthini

Penestae (tribe)

T

Taulantii

Malësia e Madhe

Malësia e Madhe, in the Northern Albanian Alps between Albania and Montenegro, historically has been the land of ten bigger and three smaller tribal regions. Two of them, Suma and Tuzi, came together to form Gruda in the 15th to 16th century. The people of this area are commonly called “highlanders” (Albanian: malësorë).

Kelmendi

Boga

Gruda (entirely in Montenegro)

Hoti (partially in Montenegro)

Kastrati

Shkreli

Triesh (entirely in Montenegro)

Koja (entirely in Montenegro)

Lohja

Tuzi

Gruemiri

Rrjolli

Reçi

Marsheni

Lepuroshi

Pulat

Plani

Xhani

Kiri

Suma

Drishti

Brda-Zeta

Bytadosi

Bratonishi

Bukumiri

Kuçi

Macure

Malonšići

Mataguzi

Mugoša

Pipri

Palabardhi

Rogami

Vasaj

Albania Veneta

Pamalioti

Mahine

Kryethi

Kakarriqi

Herzegovina – Ragusan Hinterland

Burmazi

Mataruga

Shpani

Kriči

Riđani

Dukagjin Highlands

The Dukagjin Highlands includes the following tribes:

Bobi

Shala

Shoshi

Shllaku

Mavriqi

Mazreku

Dushmani

Toplana

Prekali

Gjakova Highlands

There are six tribes of the Gjakova Highlands (Albanian: Malësia e Gjakovës) also known as Malësia e Vogël (“Lesser Malësia”):

Nikaj (commonly grouped as Nikaj-Mërtur)

Mërturi (commonly grouped as Nikaj-Mërtur)

Krasniqi

Gashi

Bytyçi

Morina

 

Puka

The “seven tribes of Puka” (Albanian: shtatë bajrakët e Pukës), inhabit the Puka region. Durham said of them: “Puka group … sometimes reckoned a large tribe of seven bairaks. Sometimes as a group of tribes”.

Qerreti

Puka

Kabashi

Berisha or Berisha-Merturi

Thaçi

Mali i Zi

Mirdita

Skana

Dibrri

Fani

Kushneni

Oroshi

Spaçi

Kthella

Selita

Dukagjini

Shkodra Lowlands – Zadrima – Lezha Highlands

Bushati

Bulgëri

Kryezezi

Manatia

Vela

Renesi

Mat – Kruja Highlands

Kurbini

Ranza

Benda

 

Doçi

Kadiu

Gjonima

Progani

Upper Drin Basin

Hasi

Luma

Lura

Arrëni

Dibra

Sharr Mountains

Sopa

Myzeqe

Lalë

Labëri and Epirus

Beqaj

Bua

Boçari

Dangëlli

Dhrako

Xhavella

Kaskarelli

Malakasioi

Mazaraki

Nika

Meçohysaj

Pantazi

Zenebishi

Spata

Losha

Historical

Suma (part of Gruda since the 15th-16th century)

Nucullaj (now part of Koja)

Gorvokaj (now part of Koja)

Lazori (as of 1485 part of Kuçi)

Kopliku

Vorpsi (surname) Tirana