Zeka Buljubaša

Monument in Ravnje, erected in 1926.

Jovan Gligorijević (Serbian Cyrillic: Јован Глигоријевић, 1785–1813), known as Zeka Buljubaša (Зека Буљубаша), was a Serbian rebel active during the First Serbian Uprising.

Early life

Gligorijević was born in ca. 1785, in Sjenica, while his family hailed from Nevesinje.[1] He was brought up working for Serb and Turkish merchants, from where he learnt to ride horses, use weapons, and the Turkish language.[1] He went to school in the monastery.[1]

His parents called him zeka due to his green eyes.[1] As he had joined the uprising, and received the rank of buljubaša, he became known by the people as "Zeka Buljubaša".[1]

Prior to the uprising, he lived in Višegrad.[1]

First Serbian Uprising

Further information: First Serbian Uprising

He commanded a band (četa) of vagabonds, who were sometimes dressed in broadcloth, though armed with the most beautiful weapons. In 1813 his band fought on the Drina river. When the band's ammunition ran out, they rushed the Ottomans with knives and were all killed, near Zasavica.

Legacy

A football club in Ravnje bears his name. A Yugoslav drama play was based on his life.[2]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Vojska 13 (648-661). Vojnoizdavački i novinski centar. p. 27.
  2. ↑ Dušan Baranin (1958). Golađi (Zeka Buljubaša). Sportska knjiga.