Myzeqe
Myzeqe or Myzeqeja or Muzakija is a region in south-western part of Central Albania[1] sometimes referred as between rivers Shkumbin and Seman.,[2] and sometimes going down south till it reaches the Vjose river north of Vlorë.[3] Administratively, the region falls mainly within Lushnjë and Fier District. Other terms like Myzeqeja e Vogël (Small Myzeqe), Myzeqeja e Beratit (Berat's Myzeqe), or Myzeqeja e Vlorës (Vlora's Myzeqe) are used to point respectively to Fier part of the region, and to tiny parts that fall into the adjacent districts of Berat and Vlorë.[4] It stretches 65 km north-south and 50 km east-west, with a total area of around 1350 square kilometers.[5]
Etymology
The name of the region comes from the Medieval times, it is named after the ruling family of Mukaza (1280 - 1600) which possessed the area. The toponym is first recorded as Musachia in 1417.[5] Previously the region's name was Savra.[6]
Another version of the etymology comes from the folkloric traditions, under which, the name comes from an old clan chief called Lal Muzhaqi who settled the area.[6]
Population
Myzeqe is where the Gheg, Tosk, and Lab populations meet.[3] There is also presence of Vlachs, established mainly in Divjake town, and some of the Fier villages. Slavic toponyms are present as everywhere in Albania.[7] All people from the region as called Myzeqarë ("People from Myzeqe") which is widely used on a geographical point of view. Another term used is Lal(ë), deferring them from other groups, i.e. the Labs.[6]
Economy
This region is well known for its agricultural potential which was not always utilized. Most of the today's fields were practically swamps and desolate lands until after WWII. This caused seasonal migration of its population.[8][9] After WWII, the communist governments launched massive campaigns for draining the area. Following the increase in agricultural potential, the region took significant importance. Since then, Myzeqe is called the "Albanian granary".
References
- ↑ "John Musachi: Brief Chronicle on the Descendants of our Musachi Dynasty".
- ↑ Balcanica. Srpska Akademija Nauka i Umetnosti. 1979. p. 167. "...у ниској јадранској области Мусакији (каже се још Музакија и Музећија) на западу....она лежи између ушћа река Шкумбе и Семени."
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Eno Koco (2010), Vocal Iso(n): The Preservation of Traditions in North East Mediterranean Practice, Acta Studia Albanica, pp. 74–75
- ↑ Emil Lafe, Nikoleta Cikuli, Mevlan Kabo (Instituti i Gjuhësisë dhe i Letërsisë, Akademia e Shkencave e RSH) (2002), Fjalor i emrave gjeografikë të Republikës së Shqipërisë [Dictionary of the geographical names of the Republic of Albania], Shtëpia Botuese "Shkenca", pp. 70,200,317, ISBN 9992778334
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Robert Elsie (March 19, 2010), Historical Dictionary of Albania, Historical Dictionaries of Europe, Scarecrow Press, pp. 318–319, ISBN 978-0810861886
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Martin Camaj (1984), Albanian Grammar: With Exercises, Chrestomathy and Glossaries, O. Harrassowitz, pp. 81–82, ISBN 978-3447024679
- ↑ Petar Skok (1934). Dolazak Slovena na Mediteran. Hrvatska s̆tamparija S. Vidović. p. 106. "Čitava plodna Muzakija prepuna je slovenskih toponima"
- ↑ Ali Farazmand (June 29, 2001), Handbook of Comparative and Development Public Administration, Public Administration and Public Policy 94, CRC Press, p. 804, ISBN 978-0824704360
- ↑ Iz istorije Albanaca: zbornik predavanja : priručnik za nastavnike. Zabod za izdavanje udžbenika Socijalističke Republike Srbije. 1969. p. 61. "Познати пољопривредни рејон Музакија због одласка људи у печалбу није био довољно обрађен."
