Nikaj-Mërtur

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Albanian bayraks as of 1918. Nikaj-Mërtur cover the section 42 and 44 of the map.

Nikaj-Mërtur is a small historical region in the Tropojë District, Albania as well as one of the North Albanian tribes.[1] It lays south-east of the Albanian Alps, bordering Dukagjin highlands. It is a southern extension of the Djakovica highland, considered having derived from Krasniqe tribe.[2]

Geography

The Alps' mountain peaks surrounding the area are: Maja e Hekurave, "Grykat e Hapta" (English: Open gorges), Maja e Kakisë, Maja e Ndërmanjës. "Qafa e Kolcit" connects the area to the Krasniqe tribe of the Gjakova highlands, while "Qafa e Ndërmajës" connect it to the Shala tribe and "Qafa e Agrit" (1300m) connects it to the Dukagjin region. It has Alpine climate with a robust winter season, plenty of snowfall and relatively cool summer. Average year-long temperature is 11.5 C, and snow reaches 2570 mm/year. Oak, beech, and pine are predominant in the flora. The climate and terrain favor livestock. There is a great potential for mountain tourism.

Administrative division

Administratively, the region falls under Lekbibaj municipality, beside the Rajë village which belongs to the Fierzë municipality. On the east it borders Bujan municipality, Theth in the north, Shalë and Shosh in the west, Fierzë, Pukë and Fierzë, Tropojë in the south. The area lays within circa 200 km2.

Geology

The geological composition of the terrain consists of limestone, dolomite, and schist.

Hydrology

Nikaj-Mërtur is a valley traspased by two rives that bear the clans names: "Lumi i Nikajve" (English: Nikaj river) and "Lumi i Mërturit" (English: Mërtur river). Nikaj river starts in Ndërmanjë valley as "Lumi i Zi" (English: Black river), passes through Kapit, Gjonpepaj, and Lekbibaj villages and joins Mërtur river south-west of Curraj i Poshtëm village. Mërturi river itself starts in Curraj i Epërm village, passes along "Mali i Theposur " (English: Sharp mountain) between the villages Shëngjergj and Curraj i Poshtëm, and after joining Nikaj river continue through Raje and Tetaj villages, with Drin river as a final destination.[3] Both rivers are relatively short.

Ethnography

The region is inhabited by Nikaj and Mërtur clans. Kapit is another smaller clan which lays throughout the geographical space of Nikaj.
Nikaj-Mërtur region contains the following settlements: Lekbibaj, Gjonpepaj, Peraj, Curraj i Poshtëm, Curraj i Epërm, Qeresh, Kuq, Tetaj, Bëtoshë (Btoshë), Shëngjergj, Salcë, Palçë, Kotec, Brisë, Mulaj, Kapit, Varg (Vark), Shofrran, Paplekaj, Bushat, Mserr, Markaj, and Rajë. The first seven belong to Nikaj clan. Blood feuds and Kanun rules are present in the area.[4]
The population belong mainly to the Catholic rite, with a Muslim minority.

The area presents an interesting toponymy, being pure and less influenced by the Slavic elements, i.e. "Shtegu i Dashit", "Rrasa e Currajve", "Shpella e Lumit", "Qafa e Rrethit", "Qafa e Derzave", "Shpella e Kakverrit", "Rruku i Nikajve", "Kodra Plakë", "Gurrat e Lumit të Zi", "Qafa e Murrizit", "Qafa e T'thermes", "Fusha e Shukut", "Kodra e Palçit", "Guri Murg", "Korja e Mërtuit", "Qafa e Kolcit", "Qafa e Agrit" etc.

See also

  • List of Albanian tribes

Further reading

  • Nikaj-Mërturi: vështrim historik, Dodë Progni, Zef Doda, "Shtjefni" 2003, ISBN 9789992782644

External links

References

  1. ↑ Andromaqi Gjergji (Academy of Sciences of Albania, Institute of Folkloric Culture) (2004). Albanian Costumes Through the Centuries: Origin, Types, Evolution. Mësonjëtorja. p. 152. ISBN 9789994361441. 
  2. ↑ Universiteti Shtetëror i Tiranës. Instituti i Historisë e Gjuhësisë. Sektori i Etnografisë.; Instituti i Historisë (Akademia e Shkencave e RPSH). Sektori i Etnografisë (1984). Etnografia shqiptare. 13-14. Akademia e Shkencave e RPSH, Instituti i Historisë, Sektori i Etnografisë. p. 290. OCLC 2260870. 
  3. ↑ Dayrell Oakley-Hill, David Smiley (2002). An Englishman in Albania: memoirs of a British officer 1929-1955. Centre for Albanian Studies. p. 62. ISBN 9781903616208. 
  4. ↑ Islam Qerimi, Vjollca Salihu (7.12.2011). Social Organization and Self-Government of Albanians According to the Costumary Law. GRIN Verlag. pp. 5, 8, 19. ISBN 9783640947867. "...The code was applied and it is still applied in these regions: Lezha mountains, Mirditë, Shala, Shoshë and Nikaj, Mertur, also in Dukagjin areain the west part of the Republic of Kosovo. This code was summarized and codified in the end of XIX..." 
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