Albanians in North Macedonia explained

Group:Albanians in North Macedonia
Albanian: Shqiptarët në Maqedoninë e Veriut
Macedonian: Албанци од Северна Македонија
Population:619,187 (2021 census)[1] [2]
Pop1:446,245 (2021)
Region2:Diaspora
Pop2:172,942 (2021)
Ref2:[3]
Related-C:Other Albanian subgroups

Albanians in North Macedonia (Albanian: Shqiptarët në Maqedoninë e Veriut, Macedonian: Албанци од Северна Македонија|translit=Albanci od Severna Makedonija) are ethnic Albanians who constitute the second largest ethnic group in North Macedonia, forming 446,245 individuals or 24.3% of the resident population. Of the 2,097,319 total population in the 2021 census (including self-enumerated diaspora), 619,187 or 29.52% are Albanians.

Geography

The Albanian minority is concentrated mostly in the western, north-western and partially middle area of the country with small communities located in the south-west. The largest Albanian communities are in the cities and surrounding regions of Tetovo, Gostivar, Debar, Struga, Kičevo, Kumanovo and Skopje. Smaller numbers are also found in and/or around the cities of Ohrid, Kruševo, Resen, Bitola and Veles.[4]

Toponymy

A number of placenames in North Macedonia have been considered as being ultimately derived through Albanian. Some cases include:

History

Antiquity

The multi-layered Albanian dialects in western Macedonia demonstrate that they have, at different stages, immigrated into an area that was inhabited by Albanians since antiquity.[11] The name development of 'Shtip' and 'Shkupi' may indicate that Proto-Albanian was spoken in the region in pre-Slavic antiquity.[12] [13] Mihaescu argues that Albanian evolved in a region with much greater contact to Western Romance regions than to Romanian-speaking regions, and located this region in present-day Albania, Kosovo and Western North Macedonia, spanning east to Bitola and Pristina.

The toponym Albanopolis has been found on a funeral inscription in Gorno Sonje, near the city of Skopje (ancient Scupi), present-day North Macedonia. It was discovered in 1931 by Nikola Vulić and its text was analyzed and published in 1982 by Borka Dragojević-Josifovska. The inscription in Latin reads "POSIS MESTYLU F[ILIUS] FL[AVIA] DELVS MVCATI F[ILIA] DOM[O] ALBANOP[OLI] IPSA DELVS". It is translated as "Posis Mestylu, son of Flavia, daughter of Delus Mucati, who comes from Albanopolis". It dates to the end of the 1st century CE or the beginning of the 2nd century CE.[14]

The ethnonym Albanos was found on a funeral inscription from ancient Stobi in present-day North Macedonia, near Gradsko about 90 km to the southeast of Gorno Sonje. The inscription in ancient Greek reads "ΦΛ(ΑΒΙΩ) ΑΛΒΑΝΩ ΤΩ ΤΕΚΝΩ ΑΙΜΙΛΙΑΝΟΣ ΑΛΒΑΝΟ(Σ) ΜΝΗΜ(Η)Σ [ΧΑΡΗΝ]" ("In memory of Flavios Albanos, his son Aemilianos Albanos"). It dates to the 2nd/3rd century AD.[15]

Middle Ages

The Slavic migration probably shaped the present geographic spread of the Albanians. It is likely that Albanians took refuge in the mountainous areas of northern and central Albania, eastern Montenegro, western North Macedonia and Kosovo. Long-standing contact between Slavs and Albanians might have been common in mountain passages and agriculture or fishing areas, in particular in the valleys of the White and Black branches of the Drin and around the Shkodër and Ohrid lakes. The contact with one another in these areas have caused many changes in Slavic and Albanian local dialects.

Placenames with the designation Arbanasi, an archaic term for Albanians, are usually found in "onomastic provinces" throughout the area of western, northeastern, central and southern North Macedonia: located in the area of Skopje, Kumanovo, Sveti Nikole, Stip, Kratovo, Prespa, Bitola, Ohrid, Prilep, Kichevo, Gostivar, and Tetovo. These "Albanian onomastic provinces" in the area of North Macedonia are chronologically old, which speaks of early contacts of Arbanasi (Albanians) with Latin and Old Slavic, and goes against the idea of a late 18th-century migration of Albanians into Macedonia.[16]

In a document of Serbian King Stefan Milutin that dates between 1293 and 1302, in which the citizens of Štip are named, there are several figures listed with Albanian names and anthroponomy.[17] Likewise, in a charter issued by the same ruler in 1300, it is noted that whoever visited the market of Skopje - be they Greek, Bulgarian, Serbian, Latin, Albanian, or Vlach - must pay the dues in both Tetovo and Gračanica.[18] Furthermore, in a 1330 letter by Serbian Tsar Stefan Dušan, several figures with Albanian names and anthroponomy (including the last name Arbanasin, which literally means Albanian) were recorded.[17] In 1350 the Serbian Tsar had donated a church and a number of serfs to the nobleman Ivanko around the region of Štip, and among the serfs a certain Gin Arbanasi is attested.

In a text by Emperor John VI Kantakouzenos there is mention of nomadic Albanians present in the vicinity of Ohrid at around 1328.[19] Andrea Gropa ruled the region and the city of Ohrid as an ally of King of Serbia Vukašin Mrnjavčević until Vukašin's death in 1371, with Andrea beginning a rivalry with his son, Prince Marko. Ruling as an independent ruler since the time of Vukašin, Andrea became de jure independent from Prince Marko in 1371 and was referred to as Župan and Gospodar of Ohrid (Lord of Ochrid). He joined the Albanian ruler and noble Andrea II Muzaka, and managed to take Kostur, Prilep and all Dibër region from Marko by that year. During Andrea's reign, the Gropa family forged their own coins.[20]

Albanian noble families controlled swathes of land in North Macedonia during different historical periods within the Middle Ages. The Gropa family ruled the regions between Pogradec, Ohrid and Debar during the 12th — 14th centuries.[21] The presence of Albanians within modern-day North Macedonia is attested to by Serbian kings of the Middle Ages. In 1330, Stefan Dečanski explicitly mentioned the presence of Albanians and the Albanian names of villages in Kosovo, particularly in the district of Prizren, as well as within the district of Skopje. Between 1348 and 1353, Albanians are mentioned by Stefan Dušan as farmers and soldiers in the district of Tetovo and frequenters of the Fair of Saint George held in the vicinity of Skopje. In fact, entire Albanian villages were gifted by Serbian kings, especially by Stefan Dušan, as presents to the Serbian monastery of Tetovo, as well as to the monasteries of Prizren and Deçan.[22]

In the Middle Ages, Dibër was part of the Principality of Kastrioti ruled by the royal Kastrioti family with Gjon Kastrioti on the Albanian throne. After the death of Gjon Kastrioti in 1437, the eastern region was annexed by the Ottomans and became seat of the Sanjak of Dibra.[23] Skanderbeg carried out several military actions in the territory of modern-day North Macedonia during his rebellion against the Ottoman Turks, such as the Battle of Oranik and the Battle of Ohrid. Svetigrad had initially served as a fortress for the League of Lezhë before being taken by the Ottomans. Both Svetigrad and Modriç,[24] along with the surrounding areas in the Dibër region, were under Skanderbeg's control.

Ottoman Empire

The arrest and liquidation of local Albanophone pashas, most notably that of Abdurrahman Pasha of Kalkandelen (now Tetova) and his two brothers, Havzi Pasha of Üsküb (now Shkup) and Hussein Pasha of Kustendil, directly caused the Uprising of Dervish Cara, which occurred between 1843 and 1844. The rebels of this uprising were led by Dervish Cara, and they had the support of the Christian population as well as other Albanophone pashas.[25] The revolt began in Üsküb in July 1843 and several Ottoman-controlled towns and regions were captured over the next two years - in North Macedonia, these territories included Gostivar, Tetova, Skopje, Kumanova, Ohrid and Manastir.[26] The Ottoman government declared an amnesty, the abolishment of the new taxes and the postponement of the recruitment process, in an effort to disunite the rebels.[27] In May 1844, the Ottoman army attacked the rebels, forcing them to retreat to the areas of Kalkandelen, Üsküb and Kumanova. Heavy fighting took place from 13 to 17 May 1844 in Katlanovo Pass, and on 18 May in Katlanovo thermals. The rebels could no longer resist the numerically superior and better-armed Ottoman army. In May–July, the Ottoman army retook all areas taken by the rebels. Dervish Cara was captured by Ottoman forces in summer 1844.

The resistance would continue in the Dibër valley, which was very strong under its local leaders. Ottoman forces led by Rexhep Pasha were defeated by the rebels in the field of Mavrova. The rebels in the Sanjak of Dibër were led from Sheh Mustafa Zerqani, a Bektashi priest. In a meeting in November 1844 they declared that the old autonomy of Dibër was not to be changed. The rebel army led by Cen Leka tried to stop the advancing Ottoman army led by Hayredin Pasha. The Ottoman commander declared again an amnesty, the abolishment of the new taxes and the postponement of the recruitment process which would become voluntary in the future.

The League of Prizren fought against Bulgarian groups and repelled them in the regions of Köprülü, Përlep and Manastir, which were at that time inhabited by Albanians, wiping out the Bulgarian movements in those areas.[28]

In a 1903 document by the Cartographic Society of Sofia, the villages of Struga Malesia were all registered with Albanian Orthodox majorities, but nowadays they have assimilated and identify as Macedonians.[29] There is a sizeable amount of Turkified Albanians in Ohrid who originate from the cities of Elbasan, Durrës and Ulcinj.[30] A significant part of the Muslim Albanian population of Kumanovo and Bitola was also Turkified during Ottoman rule.[31] An Albanian revolt took place against the Ottoman Empire lasted from January until August 1912. Albanians took Skopje on August. The revolt ended when the Ottoman government agreed to fulfill the rebels' demands, namely the creation of an Albanian Vilayet and expansion of Albanians rights on 4 September 1912.[32]

German linguist Gustav Weigand described the process of Turkification of the Albanian urban population of Macedonia in his 1923 work Ethnographie Makedoniens (Ethnography of Macedonia). He writes that in the cities, especially noting Skopje and Bitola, many of the Turkish inhabitants are in fact Albanians, being distinguished by the difference in articulation of certain Turkish words, as well as their clothing and tool use. They speak Albanian at home, however use Turkish when in public. They refer to themselves as Turks, the term at the time also being a synonym for Muslim, with ethnic Turks referring to them as Turkoshak, a derogatory term for someone portraying themselves as Turkish.[33]

Balkan Wars

See main article: articles and Massacres of Albanians in the Balkan Wars. During the Balkan wars Serbia took control of cities in northern and western Ottoman Macedonia, lands inhabited by a large Albanian population. The advance of the Serbian army as well as the formation of local Chetnik groups was followed beatings, imprisonments, massacres, disarmaments, burnings of Albanian villages as well as looting Albanian possessions. In this state of war, large numbers of Albanians fearing persecution by the Serbian army fled to Anatolia, mostly from Kumanovo and Skopje but also from Veles, Prilep, Krushevo, Tetovo, Gostivar, Kichevo, Ohrid and Bitola. Most of these Muhacirs never returned.[34] After the Battle of Kumanovo, Chetnik paramilitary groups supported by the Serbian Army attacked and expelled the Albanian populations of Kratovo, Štip, Veles, Kruševo and Bitola. Albanians were massacred in Skopje, Veles, Prilep, Tetovo, Gostivar and most other cities.[35]

Yugoslavia

See main article: articles and Yugoslav colonization of Kosovo. Shortly after the defeat of Turkey by the Balkan allies, a conference of ambassadors of the Great Powers (Britain, Germany, Russia, Austria-Hungary, France, and Italy) convened in London in December 1912 to settle the outstanding issues raised by the conflict. With support given to the Albanians by Austria-Hungary and Italy, the conference agreed to create an independent state of Albania, which became a reality in 1913. However, the boundaries of the new state were drawn in such a way that large areas with Albanian populations remained outside of Albania, including the area that would go on to become the Socialist Republic of Macedonia.

During the Skopje communist party conference held on August 12–13, 1945, Qemal Sejfulla, a representative of the Turkish minority, although himself of Albanian origin from Kaçanik, declared that: "In the cities there are some regroupings - differentiations between Turks and Albanians. As it is known that the great Serbian policy towards the Albanian masses was a policy of physical liquidations. While the policy towards the Turks - was more tolerant, for which a very large part of the Albanians became Turks - were assimilated."[36]

When the Socialist Republic of Macedonia was established in 1946, the constitution guaranteed the right of minorities to cultural development and free use of their language. Minority schools and classes in minority languages were introduced immediately, in order to counter the high percentage of illiteracy among these groups. In the following two decades, the communist party continuously introduced measures meant to promote the incorporation of the Albanian community into the economic and social life of the new socialist state through education, professional training, and social opportunities.[37]

A policy of Turkification of the Albanian population was employed by the Yugoslav authorities in cooperation with the Turkish government, stretching the period of 1948–1959. A commission was created to tour Albanian communities in Macedonia, visiting Tetovo, Gostivar, Debar, Kičevo, Struga, Kumanovo, Gjorče Petrov and Resen. Starting in 1948, six Turkish schools were opened in areas with large Albanian majorities, such as Tearce, Gorna Banjica, Dolna Banjica Vrapčište as well as in the outskirts of Tetovo and Gostivar. In 1951–52, a total of 40 Turkish schools were opened in Debar, Kičevo, Kumanovo, Struga, Resen, Bitola, Kruševo and Prilep.[38]

In 1952, Yugoslavia and Turkey signed a free emigration agreement that allowed for Muslims in Yugoslavia to migrate to Turkey. Some of these individuals from more northern portions of Yugoslavia did not complete their migrations and instead settled in Macedonia, including 10,643 Albanians from Sandžak.[39]

Contemporary analysis described cases of resistance to the Turkish schools in the Polog area, with Albanian speaking students and teachers refused to attend Turkish schools. In Tetovo, none of the native teachers wanted to give lessons in Turkish, so substitutes from Skopje were brought in instead. Another notable case happened in Gostivar, where a teacher from Banjica, who according to the committees analysis: "even though he was born in the same village and his mother tongue is Turkish, when the Turkish school was opened he refused to teach in Turkish and had asked to work in Albanian villages ...". Thus the Yugoslav committee characterized the local population as having adopted a "Greater Albanian political worldview". Resistance against the opening of Turkish schools was most prevalent in Tetovo and Gostivar. In 1952, on the night of Eid al-Adha, the local Tetovo political leader Mehmet Riza Gega distributed flyers imploring Albanian parents from sending their children to Turkish speaking schools. In Gostivar the nationalist activist Myrtezan Bajraktari was detained and interrogated by the Yugoslav secret police (UDBA). During his interrogation he stated he openly opposed the Turkish schools, and that he does so "just so Albanians can feel like patriots and not allow themselves to be Turkified."[40]

In the late 1980s when the autonomy of the province of Kosovo was revoked, and the repression of the Albanian population significantly increased, these developments also took place in the Socialist Republic of Macedonia. Albanian was removed from public sight, Albanian families were prohibited from naming their children with Albanian names on the ground that it caused divisions with the other communities in the republic, and finally, to lower the significantly high birth rate of the Albanian population, Albanian families were prohibited from having more than two children.[41] This assimilative campaign can be clearly seen by the fact that in 1990 the amended Constitution redefined the state from "a state of the Macedonian people and the Albanian and Turkish nationalities" to a "national state of the Macedonian people".[42]

Contemporary

In 1994 the US Department of State's Report on Human Rights in Macedonia reported that the following forms of discrimination against ethnic Albanians existed in Macedonia: limited access to Albanian-language media and education; poor representation in public sector jobs; poor representation in the police corps; poor representation in the military officer corps; denial of citizenship to many long-time ethnic Albanian residents of Macedonia as well as discrimination in the process of citizenship applications; and unfair drawing of voting districts which dilutes their voting strength.[43]

In the September 2002 elections, an SDSM-led pre-election coalition won half of the 120 seats in parliament. Branko Crvenkovski was elected Prime Minister in coalition with the ethnic Albanian Democratic Union for Integration (DUI) party and the Liberal-Democratic Party (LDP).

On 26 November 2019, an earthquake struck Albania. Albanians from North Macedonia responded in large numbers to the Albanian government's appeal for financial assistance through donations to various humanitarian organisations and special bank accounts fundraising for aid.[44] [45]

Demography

According to the 1903 Austrian consular reports on ethnic composition of the kazas of the Sanjak of Skopje in 1903, the kaza of Kočani was populated by a total of 39,406 inhabitants, of whom 16,524 (41.93%) were Bulgarian Exarchists, 11,600 (29.44%) Ottoman Muslim, 7,800 (19.79%) Albanians, 1,680 (4.26%) Aromanians, 1,090 (2.77%) Patriarchists and 712 (1.8%) Romanis.[46]

In the 1953 census, large portions of Albanians declared themselves as ethnic Turks:[47]

Of the 203,087 Turks in Macedonia in 1953, 27,086 or 13.28% gave Albanian as their mothertongue.[48]

Since the end of World War II, the Socialist Republic of Macedonia's population has grown steadily, with the greatest increases occurring in the ethnic Albanian community. From 1953 through the time of the latest census in 2002 (initial results were released December 2003), the percentage of Albanians living in North Macedonia rose 25.2%.[4] Most of the ethnic Albanians live in the western part of the country.According to the official census data, Albanians made up 19% of the total population in 1953. The population fell to 13% in 1961, but grew again in 1971 to 17%. The group formed 19.7% in 1981 and 21% in 1991.[49] At the last census in 2002, the Albanian population was at 25.2%. Ethnologue in 2002 estimated some 500,000 people speaking Albanian in North Macedonia.[50] In the decade since the republic declared independence from Yugoslavia, some Albanians have claimed to account for 30% of the population and demanded an appropriate share of power. On the other side, ethnic Macedonians said Albanians were barely 20%.[51] However, the widely accepted number of Albanians in North Macedonia is according to the internationally monitored[52] 2002 census. The census data estimated that Albanians account for about 25.2% of the total population. The 2012 census was not held and boycotted by the Albanian political parties. In the 2008 Macedonian parliamentary elections, Albanian political parties received 22.61% of the total vote, receiving 29 of 120 seats.[53]

Albanian is co-official at a state level (excluding defense and monetary policy) and in local self-government units where speakers of the population are 20% or more. The change in status occurred in 2019 as use of Albanian became no longer geographically limited.[54] [55] [56] The new law extended the official use of Albanian over the entire country, easing communication in Albanian with the institutions. Under the new legislation, Macedonian continues to be the primary official language, while Albanian may be used now as a second one, including at a national level in official matters. The legislation stipulates also all public institutions in the country will provide Albanian translations in their everyday work.[57] [58]

The Albanian population in the country is largely rural with ethnic Albanians forming a majority or plurality in only 3 of the country's 34 cities.[59]

Around 35% of the newborns in North Macedonia belong to the Albanian ethnic minority. In 2017, 21,754 children were born in Macedonia. The ethnic affiliation of these newborns was: 11,260 (51.76%) Macedonian; 7,404 (34.03%) Albanians; 940 (4.32%) Turkish; 1,276 (5.87%) Roma; 40 (0.18%) Vlach; 129 (0.59%) Serbian; 213 (0.98%) Bosniaks; 492 (2,26%) other ethnic affiliation and unknown.[60]

Newborns in North Macedonia according to ethnic group of the mother
Ethnic group1994[61] 2002[62] 2012[63] 2021[64]
Macedonians16,70449.8813,63949.1311,99550.899,33850.08
Albanians12,01035.8610,11836.458,03534.096,66335.73
Turks1,6164.831,2024.331,0924.638354.48
Romani1,3784.111,6786.041,5526.591,2676.79
Serbs4031.201680.611250.531230.66
Bosniaks2511.061770.95
Vlach (Aromanians)250.07230.08370.16170.09
other / unspecified1,3514.039333.364812.042281.22
Total33,48727,76123,56818,648

Municipalities

According to the 2021 census, of the 80 municipalities in the country Albanians were the dominant resident ethnic group in 17 municipalities, with 15 having a resident ethnic Albanian majority and 2 a resident ethnic Albanian plurality. When accounting the total population, including self-enumerated diaspora, Albanians make up the majority in 16 municipalities and the plurality in 2.

Enumerated population
Includes residents plus citizens who have been abroad for more than 12 consecutive months who opted to participate in the 2021 census as diaspora
Total%Total%
Aračinovo
Haraçinë
12,35397.45%14,32997.54%
Bogovinje
Bogovinë
20,47589.39%28,87891.70%
Brvenica
Bërvenicë
7,37754.06%11,81264.48%
Butel
Butel
14,09537.12%15,67838.60%
Čair
Çair
42,18067.40%47,46068.81%
Čaška
Çashkë
4,03250.77%4,36751.83%
Debar
Dibër
8,43854.75%11,72059.24%
Dolneni
Dollnen
4,44233.84%5,20535.75%
Gazi Baba
Gazi Babë
14,14620.32%16,27122.07%
Gostivar
Gostivar
33,07655.34%64,70368.87%
Jegunovce
Jegunoc
3,48239.15%5,07047.32%
Kičevo
Kërçovë
16,37341.27%31,61055.72%
Kruševo
Krushevë
2,46429.39%2,80931.20%
Kumanovo
Kumanovë
25,49325.99%36,98432.80%
Lipkovo
Likovë
21,56096.65%30,87297.38%
Saraj
Saraj
34,58690.07%39,93690.66%
Struga
Strugë
25,78550.58%41,86359.72%
Studeničani
Studeniçan
14,98268.19%16,19268.82%
Sopište
Sopisht
1,69325.22%1,90127.20%
Šuto Orizari
Shuto Orizari
8,82834.32%9,78435.31%
Tearce
Tearcë
14,70483.10%22,31987.05%
Tetovo
Tetovë
60,46071.32%78,86075.46%
Vrapčište
Vrapçisht
15,10976.15%25,30881.30%
Želino
Zhelinë
18,19195.80%27,43996.68%
Source: State Statistical Office of North Macedonia

Politics

See also: Albanian nationalism in North Macedonia.

Parties

North Macedonia has a few Albanian parties. As of 2020 election The Democratic Union for Integration (DUI) and the Alliance for Albanians are the two largest Albanian political parties in the country. In the 2008 Macedonian parliamentary elections, DUI won 11.3% of the total vote, while DPA got 10.1%. However, due to pre-election fights between the two main Albanian political parties, some Albanian areas of the country have revoted.

In the 2011 Macedonian parliamentary elections, Albanian parties received 20.96% of the total popular vote. DUI received 10.2% of the vote, giving it 15 seats. This is a loss of 3 seats from the previous elections. DPA received 5.9% of the vote, winning 8 seats which is also a drop of 3 seats from the 2008 election. The third Albanian party to receive seats in parliament is the National Democratic Revival party which received two seats with 2.7% of the vote.[65]

In the 2014 elections, three Albanian parties, DUI, DPA, and NDP won 19 seats, seven seats, and one seat, respectively, out of the 123 total seats. Ethnic Albanians parties received just under 21% of the total popular vote.[66]

Discrimination

Ethnic tensions have simmered in North Macedonia since the end of an armed conflict in 2001, where in July 2001, former NLA fighters created the Albanian National Army (ANA, AKSh),[67] and announced itself on 3 August 2001.[68] The group participated in attacks against Macedonian forces alongside the NLA.[69] [70] After the NLA disbanded, the ANA began to operate in the Preševo Valley.[71]

The Macedonian Academy for Science and Art was accused of Albanophobia in 2009 after it published its first encyclopaedia in which it was claimed that Albanian: [[Shqiptar]], the Albanian endonym that is primarily used by other Balkan peoples to describe Albanians, is considered derogatory by the Albanian community if used in South Slavic languages. The encyclopaedia also claimed that the Albanians settled the region in the 16th century.[72] [73] [74] Distribution of the encyclopaedia was ceased after a series of public protests.

On 12 April 2012, five ethnic Macedonian civilians were shot dead – allegedly by ethnic Albanians – in an attack known as the Smilkovci lake killings. On 16 April 2012, a protest against these attacks and demanding justice was held in Skopje. Some of the participants in the protests were chanting anti-Albanian slogans.[75]

On 1 March 2013 in Skopje, a mob of ethnic Macedonians protested against the decision to appoint Talat Xhaferi, an ethnic Albanian politician, as Minister of Defence.[76] The protest turned violent when the mob started hurling stones and also attacking Albanian bystanders and police officers alike. The police reports 3 injured civilians, five injured police officers and much damage to private property. Although the city hospital reported treating five heavily injured Albanian men, two of which are on intensive care unit. During this protest part of the mob burned the Albanian flag. A mob of Macedonian nationalists also stormed the Macedonian Parliament on 27 April 2017 in reaction to the election of Talat Xhaferi as Speaker of the Assembly, numerous were injured during the riot.

On the 108th anniversary of the Congress of Manastir, the museum of the Albanian alphabet in Bitola was vandalized, the windows and doors were broken. A poster with the words "Death to Albanians" and with the drawing of a lion cutting the heads of the Albanian double-headed eagle was placed on the front doors of the museum.[77] One week after this incident, on the day of the Albanian Declaration of Independence, graffiti with the same messages, as those of the previous week, were placed on the directorate of Pelister National Park.[78]

Current issues

See also: Human rights in North Macedonia. Amongst the unemployed, Albanians are highly overrepresented. In public institutions as well as many private sectors they are underrepresented. They also face discrimination by public officials and employers.[79] According to the United States' Country Report on Human Rights 2012 for Macedonia, "certain ministries declined to share information about ethnic makeup of employees". The same report also added:

As of 2019, the Albanian language is a co-official language in the country.

Religion

The main religion among Albanians in North Macedonia is Islam, though there are some who are Roman Catholic, with the most prominent member Agnes (Anjeza) Bojaxhiu, also known as Mother Teresa. Another prominent figure is the composer Lorenc Antoni.

Eastern Orthodox

Orthodox Christian Albanian villages located in Upper Reka, as well as historic communities in Ohrid, Malesia, Resen, Kumanovo (in particular the nearby abandoned village of Dumanovce) as well as Bitola city and certain surrounding villages (Trnovo, Nižepole and Magarevo). These communities largely assimilated into the Slavic corpus.[80] [81]

In the 18th century, Orthodox Albanian refugees fleeing the socio-political and economic crises in what is now southern Albania, settled in Krusevo, often in groups of families and led by a priest.[80] [82] Orthodox Albanians arrived from Vithkuq and the Opar region while local Kruševo traditions also relate that other families arrived from Korçë and the villages of Polenë, Dardhë, and Mborje.[80] In the beginning of the 19th century, Orthodox Albanians from Moscopole settled in Kruševo, founding the so called Ohtul di Arbinesh (Hill of the Albanians) neighborhood. This community would soon assimilate into the Aromanian population of the city.[83] In the early 20th century, Kruševo consisted of a mixed population of 4,950 Bulgarians, 4,000 Vlachs (Aromanians) and 400 Christian Albanians, according to Bulgarian geographer Vasil Kanchov's statistics.[84] Due to intermarriage with locals, at the onset of the twentieth century few in the small local Orthodox Albanian community spoke Albanian.[85] A neighbourhood inhabited by Aromanians in Kruševo still bears the name Arbineš meaning Albanians in the Aromanian language.[86] Per Bulgarian teacher Nikola Kirov, who was native to the town, most of the Orthodox Albanians were (sic) Grecomans.[87]

During the Ottoman period, besides the ethnic Turks and the majority Slavic population, Prilep was also home to both a Sunni Muslim and Orthodox Christian Albanian community, which lived alongside . Serbian historiographer Jovan Hadži-Vasiljević writes that:[88] Bulgarian researcher, Georgi Traichev, wrote that:[89] The newspaper Прилепу преди 100 години ("Prilep 100 years ago". Sofia, 1938) reports that after the arrival of Orthodox Albanians in the city around the 18th-19th century, the Christian Vlach and Albanian elements have assimilated under the influence of Bulgarian population, and that there are no longer any traces of them. Information is also given for Albanians of both denominations. Of the Orthodox Albanians, a part has been Bulgarianized, while others have been Hellenised. In the newspaper there is also a report about the Orthodox Albanian entitled Ico Kishari, whose family, along with the Tilevci, Georgimajkovci and Ladcovci, were Orthodox Albanian refugees from Moscopole who had settled in the beginning of the 19th century.[90]

Two dozen Orthodox Albanians were recorded as living in the villages of Konopište and Mrežičko near Kavadarci in 1900.[91] In 1905, Dimitar Mishev Brancoff gathered statistics about the Christian population of Macedonia, in which the population of Veles appears as consisting of, among others, 12 Christian Albanians.[92]

In statistics gathered by Vasil Kanchov in 1900, the city of Skopje was inhabited by 31900 people, of whom 150 were Christian Albanians.[93]

Researcher Dimitar Gađanov wrote in 1916 that Gostivar was populated by, among others, 100 Orthodox Albanians.[94]

Culture

The spoken dialects of Albanian are Gheg, by majority, and Tosk in parts of the south.[50] Education in Albanian is provided in all levels, including university levels, such as State University of Tetovo,[95] South East European University,[96] also in Tetovo.

Pjetër Bogdani, known in Italian as Pietro Bogdano, is the most original writer of early literature in Albania. He is author of the Cuneus Prophetarum (The Band of the Prophets), 1685, the first prose work of substance written originally in Albania. Born in Gur i Hasit, Has, near Kukës district, Albania about 1630, Bogdani was educated in the traditions of the Catholic Church to which he devoted all his energy. His uncle, Andrea Bogdani, was Archbishop of Skopje and author of a Latin-Albanian grammar, now lost.

Notable people

See main article: List of Albanians in North Macedonia.

See also

References

Sources

Further reading

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Државен завод за статистика: Попис на населението, домаќинствата и становите во Република Северна Македонија, 2021 - прв сет на податоци . 2024-03-27 . www.stat.gov.mk.
  2. Number does not include people with Albanian ancestry who are not citizens of North Macedonia and citizens in the diaspora who did not choose to self-enumerate in the census
  3. Macedonian citizens of Albanian descent who have not resided in North Macedonia for at least one year but chose to self-enumerate in the census
  4. Web site: 2002 Census results.
  5. . "On the other hand Niš from Ναϊσσός, Štip from Ἄστιβος, Šar from Scardus, and Ohrid from Lychnidus presuppose the sound development characteristic for Albanian."
  6. Book: Matzinger, Joachim . Der altalbanische Text Mbsuame e krështerë (Dottrina cristiana) des Lekë Matrënga von 1592 : eine Einführung in die albanische Sprachwissenschaft . J.H. Röll . 2006 . 3-89754-117-3 . Dettelbach . 23 . DE . The old Albanian text Mbsuame e kreshtere (Dottrina Cristiana) by Leke Matrenga from 1592: An introduction to Albanian linguistics . 65166691.
  7. Book: Demiraj, Shaban. The origin of the Albanians: linguistically investigated. Academy of Sciences of Albania. 2006. 9789994381715. Shaban Demiraj. https://web.archive.org/web/20201120114336/https://books.google.com/books?id=aXIbAQAAIAAJ. 20 November 2020. 146, 148−149.
  8. Macedonia, Bradt Travel Guide, Authors Thammy Evans, Rudolf Abraham, 2015,, p. 272.
  9. Book: Włodzimierz, Pianka. Toponomastikata na Ohridsko-Prespanskiot bazen. 1970. Institut za makedonski jazik "Krste Misirkov". 59. "Име Малесија е од алб. потекло (Malësi 'планински крај')"
  10. Book: Katičić, Radoslav. Radoslav Katičić. Ancient Languages of the Balkans. 1976. Mouton. 9789027933157. 186. On the other hand Niš from Ναϊσσός, Štip from Ἄστιβος, Šar from Scardus, and Ohrid from Lychnidus presuppose the sound development characteristic for Albanian..
  11. Book: Schmitt . Oliver Jens . The Routledge Handbook of Balkan and Southeast European History . 2020 . Taylor & Francis Group . Milton . 10.4324/9780429464799-4 . 9781138613089 . 224981491 .
  12. The Origin and Spread of Locative Determiner Omission in the Balkan Linguistic Area. UC Berkeley. 2017. en. Eric Heath. Prendergast. 80.
  13. Web site: Ismajli. Rexhep. 2015. STUDIME PËR HISTORINË E SHQIPES NË KONTEKST BALLKANIK. Ashak.org. 109, 263.
  14. Book: Dragojević-Josifovska, Borka . Inscriptions de la Mésie supérieure: Dragojević-Josifovska, B. Scupi et la région de Kumanovo . Centre d'études épigraphiques et numismatiques de la Faculté de philosophie de l'Université de Beograd . 1982 . 32.
  15. Spasovska-Dimitrioska 2000, p. 258
  16. Murati . Qemal. Studime Albanologjike. SHQIPTARËT E MAQEDONISË NË "ENCIKLOPEDINË MAQEDONASE" -TRILLIMET DHE REALITETI . 2011 . ITSH. 62.
  17. Book: Gashi . Skënder . Emrat e shqiptarëve në shek. XIII-XV në dritën e burimeve kishtare serbe . 2014 . TENDA . Prishtinë . 71 .
  18. Book: Gashi, Skënder . 1985 . Pulaha . Selami . Mansaku . Seit . Gjergji . Andromaqi . The Albanians and their Territories . The Academy of Sciences of the PSR of Albania . 276 . The Presence of the Albanian Ethnos in Kosova During the 13th-14th Centuries in the Light of the Serbian Church Sources . https://archive.org/details/TheAlbaniansAndTheirTerritories/page/n139/mode/1up?q=%22St.+John+in+Shkup%22 . amp.
  19. Web site: 1328, 1332, 1336 John Cantacuzene: Unruly Nomads Pay Homage to the Emperor . 2024-03-27 . albanianhistory.net . While the emperor was spending about eight days in Achrida (Ohrid), the Albanian nomads living in the region of Deabolis (Devoll) appeared before him, as well as those from Koloneia (Kolonja) and those from the vicinity of Ohrid.” This meeting was estimated to have taken place at around February 1328.
  20. Book: Dervishi . Nebi . Etnokultura e Fushëgropës së Ohrit . 2005 . Çabej . Tetovo . 72 . 24 October 2021.
  21. Vlora 1956, 5. Gropa : "The sphere of influence of the Gropas was no doubt concentrated in the region between Pogradec, Ohrid and Dibra. They seem to have ruled in that area for more than 3 centuries"
  22. Book: Iseni . Bashkim . La question nationale en Europe du Sud-Est : genèse, émergence et développement de l'indentité nationale albanaise au Kosovo et en Macédoine . 25 January 2008 . P. Lang . Bern . 978-3039113200 . 77 .
  23. https://www.scribd.com/doc/23318421/Akademia-Shqiptare-e-Shkencave-Historia-E-Popullit-Shqiptar''History of the Albanian people
  24. Book: Glasnik na Institutot za nacionalna istorija. 1977. Institut.
  25. La Question Nationale En Europe Du Sud-Est: Genese, Emergence Et Développement de L'Identite Nationale Albanaise Au Kosovo Et En Macedoine Author Bashkim Iseni Publisher Peter Lang, 2008, p.174
  26. Albanische Geschichte: Stand und Perspektiven der Forschung Volume 140 of Südosteuropäische Arbeiten Authors Oliver Jens Schmitt, Eva Anne Frantz Editors Oliver Jens Schmitt, Eva Anne Frantz Publisher Oldenbourg Wissenschaftsverlag, 2009, p. 168
  27. La Question Nationale En Europe Du Sud-Est: Genese, Emergence Et Développement de L'Identite Nationale Albanaise Au Kosovo Et En Macedoine Author Bashkim Iseni Publisher Peter Lang, 2008, p.176
  28. Book: Rama . Shinasi A. . Nation Failure, Ethnic Elites, and Balance of Power . 12 January 2019 . Springer . 90 . 9783030051921 .
  29. Book: Dervishi . Nebi . Etnokultura e Fushëgropës së Ohrit . 2005 . Çabej . Tetovo . 175 . 25 October 2021 .
  30. Book: Włodzimierz, Pianka. Toponomastikata na Ohridsko-Prespanskiot bazen. 1970. Institut za makedonski jazik "Krste Misirkov". 104–105. "Најстари староседелци во градот се неколкуте старински родови во Варош. Другите Македонци се доселени од селата покрај Охридското Езеро, од Коселска Долина, Струшко Поле, Дримкол, Дерарца, Малесија, Кичевско и други краишта од Западна Македонија. По 1949 год. се доселени и повеќе семејства од Егејска Македонија. Турците се населени овде во год. 1451-81. Има и доста турцизирани Албанци (од Елбасанско, Драч, Улцињ). Албанците инаку се дојдени во градот од околните села на југ и запад од Охридското Езеро. Има и православни Албанци дојдени од Поградец, Лин, Черава и Пискупија во II пол. на XIX век. Власите се доселувале најпрво од Москополе (од 1778 год.), Каваја (крајот на XVIII век), Мизакија, Елбасан и Ланга во Мокра (сред. на XIX век), од Г. Белица и Маловишта (Битолско) кон крајот на минатиот век. Доста голем дел од нив се иселиле во Трст, Одеса и Букурешт. Циганите се доселени од Поградечко, зборуваат албански (тоскиски).... Циганите веројатно се определиле како Шиптари или Турци."
  31. Beqiri. Nazmi. Studime Albanologjike. QASJE E SHKURTËR MBI TË FOLMEN E KUMANOVËS . 2012 . ITSH. 108.
  32. Book: Liotta. P. H.. Jebb. Cindy R.. Mapping Macedonia: Idea and Identity. April 9, 2012. 2004. Greenwood Publishing Group. 978-0-275-98247-8. 62.
  33. BELLO . DHIMITRI . Studime Albanologjike. GUSTAV VAJGAND SI BALLKANIST DHE VEPRA E TIJ "ETNOGRAFI E MAQEDONISË". 2012 . "Here I want to emphasize once again the fact that in cities, many so-called Turks, especially in Bitola and Skopje, are Albanians, which is also noticed by the emphasis they give to the articulation of Turkish words, such as. kàve instead of kave, mànda instead of mandà etc. In public they speak Turkish, while in families - Albanian; they call themselves "Turks", but in fact they mean Muhammadan, while the real Turks call them "Turkish ushak" (Turkish chimney). In the villages they are easily distinguished by the clothes, by the agricultural tools they use, by the carts (to the Anatolians the wheels are made of wooden washers). In all cases, the importance of Albanians in northern Macedonia is greatly underestimated. It is difficult to give an accurate figure for their number due to the mix of population, so rightly many well-known countries, which are interested in this, express distrust of statistics. Since I have a trustworthy statistic like Cartes ethnographiques des vilayets de Selonique, Kossovo et Monastir, litographiées par i’Institut cartographique de Sofia, 1907, with some recent elaborations by Prof. Mladenov, as well as the corrections and additions, made under the care of Mr. Mit'hat bej Frashëri, will not hesitate to publish this material. "Of course, recent changes have not been reflected.". ITSH. 107–108.
  34. Halimi. Naim. Studime Albanologjike. SHQIPTARËT E MAQEDONISË NË LUFTËRAT BALLKANIKE (1912-1913). 2013 . ITSH. 72–73.
  35. Halimi. Naim. Studime Albanologjike. MASAKRAT SERBE MBI POPULLSINË SHQIPTARE TË MAQEDONISË NË PRAG TË SHPALLJES SË PAVARSISË SË SHQIPËRISË . 2012 . ITSH. 134.
  36. Lita . Qerim. Studime Albanologjike. HASAN BILALLI –NJË FIGURË E MADHE KOMBËTARE . 2011 . ITSH. 179.
  37. Milosavlevski and Tomovski, 1997:15, 49-105
  38. Lita. Qerim. Studime Albanologjike. SHPËRNGULJA E SHQIPTARËVE NGA MAQEDONIA NË TURQI (1953-1959) . 2009 . ITSH. 75–82.
  39. Book: Историја и географија . 2014 . Институт за новију историју Србије,Географски институт "Јован Цвијић" САНУ . 351 . 978-86-7005-125-6 .
  40. Lita. Qerim. Studime Albanologjike. SHPËRNGULJA E SHQIPTARËVE NGA MAQEDONIA NË TURQI (1953-1959) . 2009 . ITSH. 82.
  41. Milosavlevski and Tomovski, 1997:205, and Politika ekspres 10-6-1986
  42. Poulton, 1995:122
  43. Web site: Refworld | Chronology for Albanians in Macedonia.
  44. News: Maqedoni, në të gjitha xhamitë grumbullohen ndihma për Shqipërinë!. Gazeta Lajm. 29 November 2019. 30 November 2019. dead. dmy-all. sq. https://web.archive.org/web/20191203005101/http://lajmpress.org/maqedoni-ne-te-gjitha-xhamite-grumbullohen-ndihma-per-shqiperine-video/. 3 December 2019.
  45. News: Përmes telefonatave janë mbledhur rreth 40 mijë euro. Sharri.info. 28 November 2019. 30 November 2019. dmy-all. sq. 29 November 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191129212402/http://www.sharri.info/2019/11/28/permes-telefonatave-jane-mbledhur-rreth-40-mije-euro/. dead.
  46. Book: Demeter . Gábor . Csaplár-Degovics . Krisztián . A Study in the Theory and Practice of Destabilization: Violence and Strategies of Survival in Ottoman Macedonia (1903-1913) . 2018 . The Isis Press . 38.
  47. Lita. Qerim. Studime Albanologjike. SHPËRNGULJA E SHQIPTARËVE NGA MAQEDONIA NË TURQI (1953-1959) . 2009 . ITSH. 90.
  48. Muslim Identity and the Balkan State, Hugh Poulton,Suha Taji-Farouki, page 96-97, 1997
  49. Vladimir Ortakovski (2001): Interethnic relations and minorities in the Republic of Macedonia, Sts. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje
  50. Web site: North Macedonia. Ethnologue.
  51. News: World Briefing - Europe: Macedonia: Overdue Ethnic Census Is Completed. Reuters. The New York Times. 2 December 2003.
  52. Web site: Head of UN-created Kosovo Protection Corps arrested - 19:28 - B92. 2006-06-10. https://web.archive.org/web/20060822032139/http://www.unmikonline.org/press/2003/wire/Dec/imm011203pm.pdf. 2006-08-22. dead.
  53. Web site: B92 - News - Region - Grueski victorious in violence-marred Macedonia polls. 2008-06-02. https://web.archive.org/web/20080603003215/http://www.b92.net/eng/news/region-article.php?yyyy=2008&mm=06&dd=02&nav_id=50731. 2008-06-03. dead.
  54. https://mia.mk/2019/01/macedonian-language-remains-only-official-language-at-entire-territory-international-relations-gov-t/?lang=en Macedonian Information Agency, 18 Jan. 2019
  55. News: Macedonia's Albanian-Language Bill Becomes Law. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 15 January 2019 .
  56. Web site: Albanian designated Macedonia's 2nd official language. January 15, 2019. AP NEWS.
  57. Web site: Law on Use of Languages will cost a lot and requires a lot of work. Ванеса. Кинг. 16 January 2019 .
  58. https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2019/01/15/world/europe/ap-eu-macedonia-albanian-language.html Albanian designated Macedonia’s 2nd official language, New York Times, Jan. 15, 2019
  59. Web site: Macedonian census, language and religion. stat.gov.mk.
  60. Web site: Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Macedonia, 2018, p. 83 . Republic of Macedonia, State Statistical Office . 2016. 20 October 2018.
  61. Web site: Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Macedonia, 1999, p. 21 . Republic of Macedonia, State Statistical Office . 1999. 20 October 2018.
  62. Web site: Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Macedonia, 2004, p. 65 . Republic of Macedonia, State Statistical Office . 2004. 20 October 2018.
  63. Web site: Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Macedonia, 2014, p. 79 . Republic of Macedonia, State Statistical Office . 2014. 20 October 2018.
  64. Web site: North Macedonia in figures, 2021.
  65. News: Conservative Leader Claims 3rd Term In Macedonia . . 2011-06-06 . 2011-06-06 .
  66. Web site: Early Parliamentary and Presidential Elections 2014. State Election Commission. 28 April 2014.
  67. Web site: Новая албанская банда ответит за 10 убитых македонцев . The new Albanian gang will be responsible for the 10 killed Macedonians . dead . https://archive.today/20130417111337/http://top.rbc.ru/incidents/09/08/2001/43563.shtml . 2013-04-17 . 2012-02-19 . RBK Group.
  68. Web site: 2005-04-18 . Lenta.ru: БАЛКАНЫ: Разоружившиеся албанские боевики сменили вывеску и снова взялись за оружие . https://web.archive.org/web/20050418194344/http://lenta.ru/yugo/2001/08/08/ana/ . 2005-04-18 . 2024-01-17.
  69. Web site: August 10, 2001 . Macedonia - defense: Buckovski: "Let tragedy be the beginning of the end of the war" . 26 June 2022 . Relief.web . English . "ANA" CLAIMS RESPONSIBILITY FOR KILLING OF TEN MACEDONIAN SOLDIERS Skopje, August 10 - A new armed group of ethnic Albanians on Thursday claimed responsibility for the killing of ten Macedonian army reservists in a highway ambush a day earlier. The "Albanian National Army" (AKSH) e-mailed a statement to several media in the region, on Albanian-language, saying a combined unit of its fighters and of the so-called National Liberation Army (NLA) carried the attack out "in revenge" for the killing of five NLA members by Macedonian security forces..
  70. Web site: Rebels kill three policemen in Macedonia . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20151018023909/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2001/nov/13/balkans . 18 October 2015 . 3 July 2022 . The Guardian . In a statement yesterday, a dissident ethnic Albanian group calling itself the Albanian National Army claimed responsibility for the killings, saying: "The Skopje government is restarting its terror and sees war as the only response to Albanian demands.".
  71. Web site: "Albanische Nationalarmee" bekennt sich zu Anschlag im südserbischen Presevo-Tal – DW – 13.08.2003 . 2024-01-17 . dw.com . de.
  72. Web site: B92 - News - Macedonian encyclopedia pulled from shelves . B92 . 9 May 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131213040201/http://www.b92.net/eng/news/region-article.php?yyyy=2009&mm=10&dd=01&nav_id=62079 . 13 December 2013 .
  73. Web site: Dënohet Enciklopedia maqedonase . BBC . 28 November 2012 . Rashidi, Nazim.
  74. Web site: Macedonian Encyclopedia Sparks Balkan Ethnic Row. RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. 9 May 2015.
  75. Përleshje mes policisë dhe protestuesve në Shkup. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211220/RF2LprmkK4M . 2021-12-20 . live. 16 April 2012. YouTube. 9 May 2015.
  76. Web site: Приведени неколкумина учесници во инцидентот пред Влада . Puls 24 . 2 March 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130302102850/http://puls24.mk/makedonija/vesti/-privedeni-nekolkumina-ucesnici-vo-incidentot-pred-vlada . 2 March 2013 . dead . dmy-all .
  77. Web site: ХУЛИГАНИ ГО ДЕМОЛИРАА МУЗЕЈОТ НА АЛБАНСКАТА АЗБУКА . 18 March 2016 . 21TV . 22 November 2016.
  78. Web site: KËRCËNIM NË FESTËN E FLAMURIT 'VDEKJE SHQIPTARËVE' . TV-21 . 28 November 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161128200311/http://tv21.tv/web/?p=109822 . 28 November 2016 . dead .
  79. Albanians. June 19, 2015. Minority Rights Group.
  80. Book: Koukoudis, Asterios. The Vlachs: Metropolis and Diaspora. 2003. Thessaloniki. Zitros Publications. 9789607760869. p.355. "In many cases, the refugees arrived in organised groups of families with a leader, usually a priest. Right from the start, the Vlachs were accompanied by Arvanites from Vithkuq and the Opar area. Those from Vithkuq preceded those from Opar and occupied the western part of the settlement, forming their own district there. According to local lore, other Arvanite families came from Korçë and the surrounding villages of Polenë, Dardhë, and Mborje. By the early twentieth century, intermarriage meant that very few families spoke Albanian any more."; p. 436. "Mijaks... Quite a large group, from Lazaropole mainly, formed the nucleus of the Slavonic- speaking population of Kruševo, who had settled alongside the Vlachs by the mid-nineteenth century."
  81. Beqiri. Nazmi. Studime Albanologjike. KADRI BAZI – MIDIS KËNGËS DHE RRËFIMEVE POPULLORE . 2010 . ITSH. 187.
  82. Book: Zografski, Dančo. Odbrani dela vo šest knigi: Makedonskoto nacionalno dviženje. 1986 . Naša kniga. 21. "Населението на Крушево во време на востанието гб сочинуваат Македонци, Власи и Албанци. Први се доселиле во него Власите кон втората половина од XVIII век, односно по познатите грчки востанија од 1769 година..."
  83. Murati. Qemal. Studime Albanologjike. Shqipa Dhe Maqedoarumanishtja Nga Aspekti I Kontakteve Midis Tyre . 2011 . ITSH. 10.
  84. http://www.promacedonia.org/vk/vk_2_36.htm Васил Кънчов. „Македония. Етнография и статистика“. София, 1900, стр.240 (Kanchov, Vasil. Macedonia — ethnography and statistics Sofia, 1900, p. 39-53).
  85. Book: Koukoudis, Asterios. The Vlachs: Metropolis and Diaspora. 2003. Thessaloniki. Zitros Publications. 9789607760869. p.355. "In many cases, the refugees arrived in organised groups of families with a leader, usually a priest. Right from the start, the Vlachs were accompanied by Arvanites from Vithkuq and the Opar area. Those from Vithkuq preceded those from Opar and occupied the western part of the settlement, forming their own district there. According to local lore, other Arvanite families came from Korçë and the surrounding villages of Polenë, Dardhë, and Mborje. By the early twentieth century, intermarriage meant that very few families spoke Albanian any more."; p. 436. "Mijaks... Quite a large group, from Lazaropole mainly, formed the nucleus of the Slavonic- speaking population of Kruševo, who had settled alongside the Vlachs by the mid-nineteenth century."
  86. Rexha. Iljaz. Vendbanimet dhe popullsia albane gjatë mesjetës në hapësirën e Maqedonisë së sotme: Sipas burimeve sllave dhe osmane. Gjurmime Albanologjike: Seria e Shkencave Historike. 41–42. 2011. 178. "Në vendbanimin Krushevë të Maqedonisë së sotme, ishte regjistruar toponimi si lagje me emrin Arbines, dukshëm e banuar me popullsi arumune, e cila e mban edhe sot e kësaj dite formën arumune Arbines, që rrjedh nga forma e mirëfilltë shqipe Arban."
  87. Keith Brown (2018) The Past in Question: Modern Macedonia and the Uncertainties of Nation, Princeton University Press,, p. 202.
  88. Mustafa Ibrahimi. "SHQIPTARËT ORTODOKSË NË MAQEDONINË E VERIUT DHE DISA SHKRIME TË TYRE ME ALFABET CIRILIK". Gjurmime Albanologjike - Seria e shkencave filologjike 50:139-152."
  89. Mustafa Ibrahimi. "SHQIPTARËT ORTODOKSË NË MAQEDONINË E VERIUT DHE DISA SHKRIME TË TYRE ME ALFABET CIRILIK". Gjurmime Albanologjike - Seria e shkencave filologjike 50:139-152."
  90. Mustafa Ibrahimi. "SHQIPTARËT ORTODOKSË NË MAQEDONINË E VERIUT DHE DISA SHKRIME TË TYRE ME ALFABET CIRILIK". Gjurmime Albanologjike - Seria e shkencave filologjike 50:139-152."
  91. Web site: V. Kynchov - Makedonija. Etnografija i statistika - Index p.153 . 2024-03-27 . macedonia.kroraina.com.
  92. D.M.Brancoff (1905). La Macédoine et sa Population Chrétienne. Paris. pp. 118-119.
  93. Vasil Kanchov (1900). Macedonia: Ethnography and Statistics. Sofia. p. 252.
  94. Salajdin SALIHI. "DISA SHËNIME PËR SHQIPTARËT ORTODOKSË TË REKËS SË EPËRME". FILOLOGJIA - International Journal of Human Sciences 19:85-90.
  95. Web site: State University – Tetovo. https://web.archive.org/web/20060902171444/http://www.unite.edu.mk/Anglisht/index.html. dead. September 2, 2006.
  96. Web site: Welcome to SEE University Website. 2006-05-31. https://web.archive.org/web/20060622054104/http://www.seeu.edu.mk/english/index.asp. 2006-06-22. dead.