# Suma (tribe)

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
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
Pipri
Palabardhi
Rogami
Vasaj
Old Montenegro
Goljemadi
Herzegovina - Ragusan hinterland
Burmazi
Mataruga
Španji
Kriči
Epirus/Chameria
Bua
Kurveleshi
Losha
Malakasioi
Mazaraki
Spata
Zenevisi
Souliotes :
Law code
Kanun (Albanian customary law) :
Concepts
Zjarri
Vatër
Muranë
Ora/Fatia
Besa
Gjakmarrja
Hospitality
Bukë, Kripë e Zemër
Honour :
History
Bajrak
Albanian National Awakening
Albanian revolt of 1911
Kachak movement
Reconciliation Movement in 1990 :
Culture
Paganism
Dheu
Qielli
Dielli
Hëna
Prende
Zjarri
Vatër
Vitore
Drangue vs Kulshedra
Ora/Fatia
Zana
Gjamë/Vajtim
Muranë
Epic poetry (Lahutë · Çifteli · Fyelli · Kângë Kreshnikësh)
Kângë majekrahi
Dances (Sword dance)
Sworn virgins
Kulla
Oda
Clothing (Brez · Fustanella · Opinga · Qeleshe · Xhamadan · Xhubleta.·Çorape)
Traditional tattooing :
vte :
The Suma are a historical Albanian tribe (fis) and tribal region in Pult of north Albania. During the Ottoman period it formed a single bajrak (military-administrative unit).

## Geography

Suma tribal territory is situated in the mountainous Pult region in the district of Shkodra, and is located around 20 km northeast of the city itself. It is on the western side of the upper Kir river. Suma tribal territory borders Kiri to the east, Xhani to the north, Rrjolli to the west, and Drishti to the south. Their main settlement is the village of Bruçaj (known previously as Suma).

## Origin

The majority of the Suma tribe believes that they hail from Mirdita, and that their ancestral forefathers are from the Oroshi tribe; therefore, the Suma are related to the Shoshi and Shala tribes. They would split into multiple branches in Bojët e Sumës, a location that is situated near the church of Xhani. Another part of Suma claims to have arrived from the tribal territory of the Kuči in eastern Montenegro. According to oral tradition these brotherhoods trace their ancestry back to two brothers; Dol and Pyl Kuçi. Dol is considered to have been the founder and forefather of Gurra and Dajcë, while Pyl founded Bukmirë. This oral tradition may in fact reflect their origin from the historical Bukumiri tribe.

## History

In 1332, a Demetrius Suma was recorded. A 1335 document of Tsar Dušan mentions a certain Petrus Suma and Marcus Suma living in the Albanian katun of Tuzi. Historically, the tribe has been of a Catholic majority with a substantial Muslim minority. An Austro-Hungarian census of 1918 recorded 95 households with a total of 641 inhabitants living in the settlements of Suma and Shakota as well as their surroundings. In 1911, the Suma tribe attempted an anti-Ottoman uprising but suffered retaliation from Ottoman troops, who plundered the village and burnt down many homes - the Suma tribe was destitute at this point. In 1685, a certain D. Luca Summa from Shkodra had his poem published in the Cuneus Prophetarum by Pjetër Bogdani.