Lunxhëri

Lunxhëri (Albanian: Lunxhëri, Lunxhi; Greek: Λιούντζη) is a region in the district of Gjirokastër, Albania.

Geohistory

Apart from the Lunxhëri municipality, Lunxhëri, traditionally incorporates a wider region that extends from Hormovë west, Gryka e Suhës south, the crest of Mount Lunxhëri east and the valley of the Drino west. It includes the villages of Lunxhëri municipality, Odrie municipality, Antigonë municipality, Selckë from the Pogon municipality, Labovë e Kryqit which administratiely belongs to Libohovë municipality, and villages of Lekël and Hormovë which administratively belong to Tepelenë District.^[1][2] The region has some rivers and streams (Përroi i Dhoksatit, Përroi i Qestoratit, and the river of Nimica). Additionally there are archeological sites near Këllez, Dhoksat, Erind as well the ancient Greek city,^[3] of Antigonia, today a National Park.^[4]

Lunxhëri has a very complex social history. The area has been characterized by frequent immigration during the late centuries. Its inhabitants have always thrived as politicians, merchants, doctors, benefactors, scholars, etc, giving immense contribute in the history of Albania and Greece. Although most of the locals that migrated to other regions, declared themselves as Greeks, at the same time, the majority of the population in the end of the 19th century spoke Albanian.^[5] In the same context, people like Koto Hoxhi and Pandeli Sotiri were pro-Albanian and part of the elite of Rilindas,^[5] while Christakis Zografos, Evangelos Zappas and especially Georgios Zografos (head of the Autonomous Republic of Northern Epirus), supported the Greek national ideas. However, the majority of the locals where between this two extreme points.^[6] There is also a Vlach minority which was brought by the communist regime after the World War II.^[5] During World War I and the interwar period, many families, both of pro-Albanian and pro-Greek left the area.^[7]
The region was very active during World War II by joining mainly the communist partisan forces. Misto Mame and Mihal Duri are the most known heroes of that period.
Many families have emigrated after 1990, leading to a decrease in population.^[8][9]
Today, the population of Lunxhëri is perceived as three main groups:^[5]

• the Lunxhots, who call themselves "ethnic Lunxhots" or "autoktonë" and are called "villagers" (fshatarë) by others
• the Vlach settlers, who call themselves "çoban" or Greek-Vlachs, and are considered as newcomers (të ardhur), after World War II
• the settlers from Labëria region (beside Erind who claim to be autochtone), settling in throughout all 20th century, who refer to themselves as Turks or Muslims.

Marriages between all local groups are pretty common, as well as between the Christian local communities and Greek villagers of Gjirokastër areas.^[5]

Religion

The population is of Orthodox religion majority, with Lab families being a Muslim minority.^[2] The so-called "autoktonë" families are completely Orthodox, beside Erind.

Notable people

See also

• Lunxhëri municipality
• Tourism in Albania
• Orthodoxy in Albania
• Pandeli Sotiri
• Zographeion College

External links

Traditional costumes

• Women's feast and bridal costume. Folklore Museum of Kozani.
• Lunxhëria traditional costume Municipality of Gjirokaster.

Traditional music

• Pjergulla në lis të thatë
• Zbrita një ditë nga mali

"Odria" newspaper

• "Odria" newspaper online

Ethnocultural books

References