Shllaku
# Shllaku

Part of a series on :

Albanian tribes :

Tribes and regions

Malësia e Madhe

Hoti

Gruda

Kelmendi

Shkreli

Rrjolli

Kastrati

Trieshi

Koja

Marsheni

Tuzi

Gruemiri

Reçi

Lohja

Lepuroshi

Boga

Dukagjin highlands

Bobi

Shala

Shoshi

Shllaku

Dushmani

Toplana

Mavriqi

Mazreku

Prekali

Pult

Kiri

Plani

Xhani

Suma

Highlands of Gjakova

Krasniqi

Nikaj

Mërturi

Gashi

Bytyqi

Morina

Puka-Mirdita

Berisha

Mirdita

Puka

Malziu

Thaçi

Qerreti

Kabashi

Selita

Dukagjini

Upper Drin

Hasi

Luma

Lura

Arrëni

Dibra

Sopa

Kastrioti

Zadrimë - Lezha highlands

Zadrima

Bushati

Renesi

Vela

Bulgëri

Kryezezi

Manatia

Mati - Kruja highlands

Progani

Gjonima

Myzeqe

Lalë

Muzaka

Albania Veneta

Pamalioti

Mahine

Kryethi

Kakarriqi

Brda-Zeta

Bukumiri

Bratonishi

Bytadosi

Kuçi

Macure

Malonšići

Mataguzi

Mugoša

Ndrekalorë

Pipri

Palabardhi

Rogami

Vasaj

Old Montenegro

Goljemadi

Herzegovina - Ragusan hinterland

Burmazi

Mataruga

Španji

Kriči

Epirus/Chameria

Bua

Kurveleshi

Losha

Malakasioi

Mazaraki

Spata

Zenevisi

Souliotes :

Concepts

Dheu

Vatër

Besa

Kanun

Gjakmarrja

Bukë, Kripë e Zemër :

History

Bajrak

Albanian National Awakening

Albanian revolt of 1911

Kachak movement

Reconciliation Movement in 1990 :

Culture

Epic poetry (Lahutë · Çifteli · Fyelli · Kângë Kreshnikësh)

Mythology

Gjamë/Vajtim

Kângë majekrahi

Dances (Sword dance)

Sworn virgins

Oda

Clothing (Brez · Fustanella · Opinga · Qeleshe · Xhamadan · Xhubleta.·Çorape) :

vte :

Shllak (definite Albanian form: Shllaku), is a region of Northern Albania, east of Shkodër whose territory is synonymous with the historic Albanian tribe of the same name. Members of Shllaku tribe are Catholics. The region corresponds to today's Shllak Municipality near Shkodër.

## Geography

The historical region of Shllaku corresponds to Shllak. The tribal region borders the Shkreli, Dushmani and Toplana tribal regions to the north.

## Origins

According to tradition, the Toplana, the ancestor of Shllaku as well as of the Gashi can trace their lineage back to 1450 when they arrived in their present area from the territory where now Vasojevići is located in Montenegro. Vasojevići tradition traces their origin from around Foča in modern Bosnia and Herzegovina and moved around 1450 to their present location. Thus, Nopcsa and others have arrived to the conclusion that at some point Vasojevići drove southwards the ancestral group of Toplana around this time.

According to tradition, recorded by Nopcsa, the tribal ancestor was named "Can Gabeti", one of four brothers (the others were the founder of the Gashi, Toplana and Megulla). Gabeti, said to have been an Orthodox Christian from Montenegro, came across the original native population who were the ancestors of the Kolë Pep Fura family and whose last male descendant died about 1900. The original population of Shllaku was called Lorehic and is said to be related to the family of the same name in Guri i Zi on the plain of Shkodër.

   Shlaku tribe consists of about three hundred houses, all Christian. It is an offshoot of the tribe of Toplana. A third of it lives by charcoal-burning, the others by keeping goats. There is very little cultivable land.

## History

The earliest available record of the name of the tribe is 'Scelacu' from 1641. Shllaku descends from Toplana tribe.

In 1877 Ottoman soldiers from Shllaku attacked Montenegro.

In 1922 this tribe had a population of 1,500.

## Notable people

* Bernardin Palaj - Franciscan cleric
