Draft:Limjan

Limjan
Village
Limjan
Coordinates: 41.7379°N 20.4106°E / 41.7379; 20.4106
Country	Albania
County	Dibër
Municipality	Dibër
Municipal unit	Kastriot
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)

Location

Limjan is a village under the Kastriot commune, under the district of Dibra, under the prefecture of Dibra. It is positioned on the western side of the Korabi mountain range, and east of the Black Drin, on the feet of Gradisht. It sits between Sohodoll and Vrenjt, and under Rrenz and Dypjakë.

History

1467

Limjan, 1467

In the year 1467, an Ottoman Registry was carried out in what is modern-day Albania, this defter included the region of Dibra. Within this defter, the village of Limjan was mentioned. During this time period, Limjan was recorded as a kasaba within the sanjak of Elbasan, which was under the Rumeli eyaleti. More specifically, it was a timar under Gjorgj, Nikolla, Gjorgj and the other Gjorgj. In another source however, it is listed as solely the timar of Nikolla Goriu. Looking at the anthroponymy attested, it can be assumed that the village had an Albanian orthodox build-up. Limjan had 5 families, and the heads of those families were: Pavël Luzi, Mile Vlashi, Gjon Limçi, Kolë Dabeçi, Tanush Maliqi. While Ottoman and islamic influence is obviously not present yet, of all the people, Tanush Maliqi is theorized to have been a muslim, purely due to his islamic last name (Maliqi, which is an albanisation of the name Malik/Maliki). However, this theory would be quickly disproven.

1570

Similarly, in 1570, another registry was carried out, which included the region of Dibra, and naturally Limjan. This registry was specifically on the sanjak of Dukakin (Dukagjin), which at the time, happened to include Diber. In the registry, Limjan is shown to have no muslims. This instantly creates new theories upon the person Tanush Maliq.

Limjan, 1570

1. He was never a muslim, simply had a muslim last name (perhaps for political reasons).
2. He was kicked out/left the village.
3. He was a muslim, but his descendants were not.
4. His family died out (no more heirs).

(Key for the 1570 defter:)

H. = Hane -> Houses

Baş. = Baştina -> A type of land/farm only owned by non-muslims

Müs. = Müslüman -> Muslims

1583

Limjan, 1583

Another Ottoman registry was carried out in 1583, which included all of Dibra and Limjan . The names listed on this defter show that the village converted from an orthodox majority to a muslim majority within about a decade (only 1 christian family remained). Whether the native people of the village converted, or they moved out and other muslim families replaced them, remains unkown. The names on the defter are listed as follows: Rustem Muça; vëllai tij Husein; Mustafa Nine; Ali Kole; Memi Ali-u; Hamza Ballaban-i; Mustafa Abdulla-i; Isak Mustafa-i; Husrev Gjon-i; Xhafer Ismail-i; Ali Ali-u; Husein Ismail-i; Mehmed Ali-u; Murad Raç-i; Petro Tole. However, it seems that majority of these last names have no correlation with the modern-day inhabitants of Limjan and its sorrounding areas. Whether this is because the modern-day present families had yet to move into Limjan, or their ancestors would go through another round of changing their last names, is unkown. The only recognizable last names would be "Muça" and possibly "Raç-i", which could be a derivative of "Reçi".

1724

In the avariz tax registry of 1724, the region of Dibra, including Limjan, was also recorded . In the defter, the eligible tax-payers (which were usually the head/s of a family) were the only ones whose name was recorded.

Limjan, 1724 (circled in red)

The list goes as follows: Mustafa Bej Zaimzade [fisi i Zaimzades], Ebu Beqiri i Hasanit [Zaimzade], Ymeri i Mehmetit [Shehu], Hyseni i Aliut [Zaimzade], Sulejmani i Skënderit [Maha], Mehmeti i Hasanit [Zallumi], Ahmeti i Sulejmanit [Duraku], Abdyl Qerimi i Ferhatit [Duraku], Ajshja e Hasanit [Roci]. The original defter does not include last names/family names, therefore they were added with brackets. In this defter, all listed people are members of known native families of Limjan (presently, such as Shehu, Zaimzade, Zallumi, Maha, and historically, such as Duraku and Roci). It is clear that Limjan had turned fully muslim before this defter was recorded, as all the predecessor names (Such as Mehmet in Ymeri i Mehmetit) within this defter are muslim names.

1848

Limjan, 1848

In this defter, the general muslim population of Dibra is recorded (so for Limjan, this just means the total population, as muslims are the only inhabitants of the village). There are no specific names included, however, the defter does keep track of the number of houses in the village.

(Key for the 1848 defter)

Mahale-i Ahar = Non-native inhabitants of the village

1867

During this year, the famous albanologist Johann Georg von Hahn wrote his book Udhëtim nëpër viset e Drinit dhe të Vardarit. In his book, he has passed by Sohodoll and Borovjan (neighboring villages of Limjan). The translation of the original text goes as follows:

The following day we rode down the valley of the Velesheca stream, which forms the border between Luma and Dibra, and reached the first Dibra village, Sllatina, situated on the foothills of the eastern wall of the great Dibra valley, from which we enjoyed the same view as at Ujmisht, only from a somewhat more southerly point of view. From there we descended into the plain, which here passes from the left bank of the river to the right. If we have observed correctly, the black Drin in its lower course generally follows the direction from south to north and longs the foot of the mountain ranges between the Bushtrica and Velesheca to the east, while on its left bank a two-hour-long plain extends to the Lura chain. South of Sllatina, however, the Mal i çi chain extends eastwards to the left bank of the Drin, and a plain, interrupted only here and there by low foothills of the eastern valley wall, stretches to the town of Dibra, which lies at its southern end. Our route was so unfavourable for a closer observation of this change that we only became aware of it in Dibra.The further we advanced along this plain, the more fertile and cultivated the area became, and the more pleasant and comfortable the landscape became. We came to the almost adjacent towns of Sohodoll and Borovjani, whose centres had a completely urban appearance; tall two-storey houses, lined up close together and surrounded by limestone walls, cobbled streets with a wide gutter for the pack animals in the middle, general stores, even a small slaughterhouse with skinned goats hanging on it, the whole surrounded by a mighty belt of vineyards that stretched up to the gently sloping eastern wall, above these fields that reached to the crest of the mountain range, a very rare sight in Albania. Here and there there were still groups of winegrowers, but the main harvest was already over. Two of them sent us grapes, and both times the bearers refused the coin we offered them.

1892

Similarly to the 1848 registry, this defter only includes the total population of villages (Nufus), and the number of houses (Hane). The number of houses in Limjan has gone from 36 in 1848, to 52 in 1892.

Limjan, 1892

1903

Limjan, 1903

This defter was carried out by Bulgaria, and it included the region of Diber. Similar to the previous ones, this one only includes the number of houses (Hane). The number of houses in Limjan increased from 52 in 1892, to 55 in 1903.

Native Families

Historically present tribes: Duraku, Doda, Gjapi, Kera, Maha, Pilafi, Roci, Rricku, Shehu, Zallumi, Zaimzade (of these, all are currently present except of Duraku and Roci).

Zaimzade Family/Tribe

Zaimzade Family tree

It is said that the Zaimzade tribe were the first of the village of Limjan, and they moved from Mirdita around the beginning of the 15th century. The name Zaimzade itself is an Ottoman title, which means the son of a Zaim, which was the holder of a ziamet. The Zaimzade family was a powerful house from the 16th century up to the early 1800s. It is said that the founder of the Zaimzade tribe was Mahmud Bey Zaimzade .

Maha Family/Tribe

It is also one of the oldest tribes in Limjan. Many people of the Maha family have participated in wars, for example Hasan Shain Maha and Bajram Xhelil Maha, who have fought in battle against the serbs in 1913. Also included are Qatip Maha, who died fighting alongside the NLA, and Xheladin Maha who fought for the National Front. There is also a Maha branch in the village of Çidhne, who moved from Limjan centuries ago. It is said the first to move out of Limjan was Shaban Maha .

Zallumi Family/Tribe

It is said that this tribe has its origins from the village of Reç. The last name Zallumi is theorized to be the derivation of the word "Zall lumi", a geographical term of their origin (as they are assumed to be from Zall-Reçi). When they have moved into Limjan, it is said they found support in the tribes of Zaimzade and Shehu. Other than this, not much information is known .

Gjapi Family/Tribe

This tribe is said to have its origins from Zall-Kalis, and they have moved into Limjan around 1750-1800 period. They left their village due to a bloodfued. There were originally 4 branches of the Gjapi family, that of Mer Sufa, Miftarallareve, Himallreve(hajmallaret) and haxhiallareve. It is said that all branches, except that of Mer Sufa, moved to Limjan. Those who stayed in Zall-Kalis, today hold the last name Ymer/Imeraj (and all derivations of this). The other 3 branches who moved to Limjan were not allowed to settle in the center of the village due to their bloodfued, therefore, they had to settle in the outskirts of Limjan, by its border with Vrenjt. Despite them being settled in Limjan, they paid their taxes and got their farming water from Vrenjt. Their original last name was not Gjapi. Gjapi was a newly adopted last name in order to hide their identity (it is believed the last name was originally renewed to Xhap/Xhaup, and eventually evolved to Gjap/Gjapi) .

Kera Family/Tribe

The Kera tribe is believed to be originally from the villages of Skopje, and then moved to Limjan around the 1800-1850 times period. Those who eventually moved to Limjan are believed to have stopped in the village of Voles first, which gave birth to the "Muça" tribe of Voles, a branch of the Kera tribe. In 1996, some men with the last name Kera also came to Limjan, which further proves the theory. It is said when they first moved into Limjan, they found support by the Shehu tribe .

Rriçku Family/Tribe

The Rriçku tribed is believed to have its origin from the village of Reç. They left their original village due to a bloodfued, and their original last name is unknown. It is believed their last name is a derivation of the word "Rrisk" (which means fate/luck), as when they moved to Limjan, it is believed that a very harsh winter had come. After they passed the hardship, they considered themselves lucky that their children had succesfully survived the difficult conditions. Then, they began being referred by the other villagers as "Rrisk", which further developed to their present last name. In other old documents, the last names Rriçku and Rrisku are both used, and are interchangable, further supporting this theory .

Doda Family/Tribe

The Doda tribe of Limjan has its origins from Kalaja e Dodes. Sheh Hamza (Hamza Shehu) was married with Xhilistane Doda, who's brother (Tasim Doda) and father (Zenel Doda) lived in Kalaja e Dodes. Zenel died, and left Tasim when he was young. During the early 1900s serb massacres in Diber, Xhilistane (with the wish and help of her husband) brought her brother to Limjan, where he was welcomed with open arms and given land and wealth. Tasim had two sons, Osman and Tahir. From them flows the Doda tribe of Limjan .

Pilafi Family/Tribe

They have for a last name their village of origin (village of Pilaf). The first of their tribe, Sulejman Pilafi, was brought to Limjan by his maternal uncle, Lut Zallumi, because Sulejman didn't have any kids .

Shehu Family

Origin

Oral tradition has it that two brothers, Selim and Mehmet Dedja, moved from Baghdad sometime around the 16th century. They first stopped in the village of Trojak, and then Mehmet moved to Limjan, leaving Selim alone. Mehmet had the title of "Dede", which was a Bektashi title. It is said that Mehmet was an emissary/clergyman of the islamic faith, and when he moved to Albania, he was granted the title of Seyh (Sheh) by the Sultan, which is where the Shehu tribe of Limjan flows from. However, this story/theory is easily debunked by a DNA test of a Shehu family member. The DNA test showed the belonging to the haplogroup R1b-L23, a typical Albanian haplogroup, which debunks any migration from the middle east. Therefore, it can be assumed that the origin story of Baghdad was made to gain political power, or was made up along the way by later generations. The daughter of Selim, Hatixhe, was married to Nasuf/Nusuf of the village of Vleshe. Their son, Ibrahim, would also be given the title of Seyh. The Shehu family of Borovjan are a branch of the Shehu family of Limjan . There is also a Shehu branch in Vertok which directly flows from that of Limjan (Sheh Isufi/Jusufi, son of Sheh Sali (II) moved to vertok around the early 1800s) .

Genealogy

Shehu Tree

Mehmet Dedja to Sheh Isuf

Sheh Sali II & Sheh Abdullah (sons of Sheh Isuf) and Sheh Mazllum, Sheh Isuf & Sheh Mehmet (sons of Sheh Sali II)

Sheh Sali II & Sheh Abdullah (sons of Sheh Isuf) and Sheh Mazllum, Sheh Isuf & Sheh Mehmet (sons of Sheh Sali II) (down portion)

Sheh Haxhi, Sheh Jonuz (sons of Sheh Mazllum)

Sheh Abaz (I) (son of Sheh Mazllum)

Sheh Abaz (I) (son of Sheh Mazllum) (left portion)

Sons of Sheh Jonuz

Children of Sheh Rexhep & Sheh Veli

Clergy

In Limjan, there are 3 religious objects. The mosque, the teqe, and the tyrbe. All of them being islamic, and more specifically, of the Halveti sect. When Mehmet Dedja was given the title of Seyh, he became part of the Halveti sect. The teqe and tyrbe of Limjan are said to have been the first religious objects of the village, and they were both built by Mehmed Dedja. The mosque of Limjan was built by Sheh Ymer (Mehmet's son). The post of the teqe has undergone 14 different leaders, with the first being Mehmet Dedja.

Mehmet Dedja

Also sometimes referred to as Ahmet by ottoman documents, was the father of the Shehu family of Limjan, the founder of Limjan's teqe and its first leader. It is said that he moved from Trojak with the help of the Zaimzade family. Oral tradition has it that Mehmet went personally to the sultan's palace, and asked the sultan to be named a seyh due to his knowledge of islam and his will to serve the people as a clergyman. The sultan saw the long journey he had overcome to reach him, and named him a seyh. Of course, this is meant to be taken with a grain of salt, as it is after all just a legend. Mehmet died in Limjan and was buried in its tyrbe. He left behind only one son, Sheh Ymer.