Zhuj Selmani

Zhuj Selmani
Born c. 1844
Peja, Vilayet of Kosovo, Ottoman Empire
Died 1875
Peja
Nationality Albanian
Occupation Fighter
Years active 1865-1875
Known for Refusing to surrender to the Montenegrin forces led by Mark Milani (Marko Miljanov)

Zhuj Selmani (c. 1844-1875) was an Albanian freedom fighter and an early proponent of the Albanian National Awakening. He was born in the village of Koshutan village near Peć (Albanian: Peja), in the Rugova highland in 1844, today's Kosovo. He was the son of Selman Muçë Zymeraj, from the Lucëgjekaj clan of the Muriq (Murić) brotherhood, part of the wider Kelmendi tribe.[1] He was one of the leaders of the Albanian resistance against the Ottoman Empire and the Kingdom of Montenegro. In 1878 the Congress of Berlin decided to give Montenegro the regions of Nikšić, Podgorica, Bar, Plav and Gusinje (back then the Ottoman Empire). The Albanians responded with armed resistance. Zhuj Selmani fought for 10 years in his tower which was called the tower of Sheremeti (Albanian: Kulla e Sheremetit). Surrounded by Montengrin forces in his tower, he blew it up, killing himself and many of the enemy soldiers.

Early life

Zhuj Selmani was born in a time when only a few years had passed by three major events for the National Movement in Albania: The Massacre of Monastir when the Ottomans cut in trust 500 prominent men of Toskerië (1830), the Bushati family of Shkodra ruling Albania for nearly one century (1831) and the famous uprising of Hamza Bey Kazazi (1834). During this time, the Rugova and Kelmendi tribes continued to struggle for freedom. This happened during the uprising of 1835-1837 but after it failed, a part of the Rugova tribe moved to Srem, in Vojvodina.

Last fight

In 1878, Montenegrin forces attacked Zhuj Selmani and his friends in their tower. After many attacks and being surrounded tightly after many sieges, Zhuj Selmani was severely injured. When hearing upon that the Montenegrins were planning on taking them alive to Cetinje, he fired upon the gunpowder in the tower, killing himself and many of the Montenegrin forces. Oral sources reportedly said that Zhuj Selmani stayed in his tower for about 10 years. During this time, he often played the Lahuta, usually singing of the heroic acts of his predecessors. Zhuj Selmani managed to give his friends courage to resist when the Montenegrins attacked.[1] He was around 30 years old and not married. Recently there was a celebration of his 138th anniversary, and a statue of him was placed in one of Peja's public squares.[2]

He is recorded in the Albanian folklore epic songs.[3][4]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Neziri, Zymer (2013-11-26), Zhuj Selmani, dëshmor i shquar i kombit dhe i Lëvizjes Kombëtare Shqiptare [Zhuj Selmani, distinguished hero of the Albanian National Awakening] (in Albanian), Radio "Kosova e Lire"
  2. ↑ Në Pejë u përurua shtatorja e Zhuj Selmanit [The statue of Zhuj Selmani was inaugurated in Peja] (in Albanian), Telegrafi, 2013-11-26
  3. ↑ Qemal Haxhihasani; Agron Xhagolli, ed. (1985), Folklor kosovar, 1, Instituti i Kulturës Popullore (Akademia e Shkencave e RPS të Shqipërisë), p. 156, OCLC 17209644
  4. ↑ Ajet Haxhiu (1982), Shota dhe Azem Galica (2 ed.), Shtëpia Botuese "8 Nëntori", p. 50, OCLC 255488782
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