Prenk Explained

Prenk, also prënk, prek is Albanian language title of the chieftain of Catholic Mirdite clan and also a given name. In the 19th century it was hereditary position of the heads of Gjomarkaj family who had the official title of prenk paşa (English: Prince Lord). Members of this clan lived on the territory of the Sanjak of Shkoder and their chieftain was obliged to provide 5,000 troops to Ottomans upon notice.^[1] It is used by Catholic Albanians of all regions.

According to one 19th-century travel account Prenk was corruption of Peter that "from time immemorial has been the first baptismal name of nearly all chiefs of this tribe".^[2]

List of notable people with this title includes:

• Prenk Bib Doda, Mirdita clan leader, politician
• Prenk Doçi, Albanian Rilindas
• Prenk Pervizi, military figure of 20th century
• Prenk Cali, Kelmendi warlord

Notes and References

1. Book: Gawrych, George. The Crescent and the Eagle: Ottoman Rule, Islam and the Albanians, 1874-1913. 26 December 2006. I.B.Tauris. 978-1-84511-287-5. 32. The head of Gjomarkaj family served at the same time as the hereditary prince for the Merdita with the official title of "Prince Lord" (Prenk Paşa)..
2. Book: Lluellyn, Raymond Maude. Occasional Contributions to "The Globe". 1887. 247. .... mountains, the title of "Prince," the common mistake having obviously arisen from a very natural corruption of the word "Prenk," or "Prink," meaning "Peter," which from time immemorial has been the first baptismal name of nearly all ....