The Tribes of Albania

Northern Albania and Montenegro are the only regions in Europe to have retained a true tribal society up to the mid-twentieth century. This book provides the first scholarly investigation of this tribal society, a pioneer work that offers a detailed survey of all the major Albanian-speaking tribes in Albania, Montenegro and Kosovo. Robert Elsie provides comprehensive material on the 69 different tribes, including data on their locations, religious affiliations, tribal structures and relations, population statistics, tribal folklore, legends and history. Also included are excerpts from the works of prominent nineteenth and early-twentieth century writers, such as Edith Durham and Johann Georg von Hahn, who travelled through the tribal regions, as well as short biographies on prominent figures linked to the tribes. As the first book of its kind, The Tribes of Albania will be of interest to scholars and students of the Balkans, of southeastern European anthropology, ethnography and history.

Autorentext

Robert Elsie (1950-2017) was a Canadian scholar and translator specialising in Albanian studies and folklore.

Inhalt

Introduction
Editorial note

The Tribes of the Northern Albanian Alps (Malësia e Madhe)
The Tribes of the Pulat Region
The Tribes of the Dukagjin Region
The Tribes of the Gjakova Highlands (Malësia e Gjakovës)
The Tribes of the Puka Region
The Tribes of the Lezha Highlands (Malësia e Lezhës)
The Tribes of the Kruja Highlands (Malësia e Krujës)
The Tribes of Mirdita
The Tribes of the Mat Region
The Tribes of the Upper Drin Basin
Minor Tribes

Glossary
Bibliography