# Kurvelesh (region)

40°14′12″N 19°52′1″E﻿ / ﻿40.23667°N 19.86694°E﻿ / 40.23667; 19.86694
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
Bytyçi
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
Malissori uprising
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
war dances
Sworn virgins
Kulla
Oda
Clothing (Brez · Fustanella · Opinga · Qeleshe · Xhamadan · Xhubleta.·Çorape)
Traditional tattooing :
vte :
Kurvelesh is a region in southern Albania, within the Southern Mountain Range. In the region, which is divided into the communes of Brataj, Horë-Vranisht, Kurvelesh and Picar, fifteen villages are located. It is considered to be the heart of the larger Labëria region. The Kurvelesh region is inhabited by Lab Albanians. Traditionally neighbourhoods of local villages in the region had houses built as fortresses lacking windows on the ground floor while the blood feud used to be a common feature of the area. The people of Kurvelesh practised endogamy by intermarrying within the villages of the region.

## History

The etymology of Kurvelesh contains the Albanian word Lesh which means hair-fur-wool etc, and is common among Albanian surnames.
An old folk etymology recorded by Evliya Çelebi in his “Travelling through southern Albania in 1670” is that an Arab sheik called Jabal-i Alhama migrated to the region and named it Quryelesh (Kurvelesh) mountains, meaning Qurayshi as he was from this tribe and his followers who came with him. However this is likely untrue and was used as a folk story for benefits within the Ottoman Empire.
The inhabitants of Kurveleshi revolted against the Ottoman Empire in 1431/1432 and in 1481. It has been suggested that a reason to resist the establishment of the Ottoman rule seems to have been the attempt of the Ottomans to introduce a centralised administration, which was in contrast to the strong tribal loyalties and local interests that were deep rooted in the mountains of the region, because they have never been incorporated into a feudal system or ruled by a central government. At the beginning of the 19th century the Ottoman Albanian ruler of the Pashalik of Yanina, Ali Pasha, reached an agreement with the Kurveleshi population, not to trespass their territories, which at that time were larger than the area they inhabit today. Kurvelesh was centre of the Albanian Revolt of 1847 directed against Ottoman Tanzimat reforms.

## Culture

The inhabitants of the Kurvelesh region speak the Lab dialect of the Albanian language and are Muslim. In Kurvelesh the practice of the Muranë (tumuli for the cult of the ancestor / hero) has been attested in some mountains like Këndrevica. Bolla e Shtëpisë and Kulshedra are some of the Albanian mythological figures that are also found among the Kurveleshi population. In Nowruz or in the Albanian Spring Day (Dita e Verës) in some villages of Kurvelesh, people used to address rainmaking prayers to the deity for plants and cattle. The practice of gjakmarrja (blood feud) is found in Kurvelesh.

### Historical social organization

The mountain region of Kurveleshi was the last example of a tribal system among southern Albanians. It was regulated by the Code of Zuli (Kanuni i Papa Zhulit/Zulit or Kanuni i Idriz Sulit). In Kurvelesh the names of the villages were built as collective pluralia, which designated the tribal settlements. For instance, Lazarat can be considered as a toponym that was originated to refer to the descendants of Lazar and Progonat meaning descendants of Progon.

## Notable people

* Sali Nivica, politician, writer, journalist and teacher.
* Nafiz Bezhani, jurist, politician and writer.
* Zenel Gjoleka, leader of the Albanian Revolt of 1847.
* Muzafer Korkuti, archaeologist and Vice President of the Academy of Sciences of Albania.
* Jakup Mato, head of Centre of Art Studies of the Academy of Sciences of Albania.
* Hodo Nivica, leader of the Albanian Revolt of 1847.
* Çelo Picari, leader of the Albanian Revolt of 1847.