Baca Kurti

Baca Kurti formerly known as Baca Kurti Gjokaj (the Pride of Malësia) (death-1881), was born in the town of Milesh, Gruda a clan of Malësia, to a generous Albanian Malësor family. He was a nationalist of the Albanian revolt for independence. He rebelled against the unjustified decision of the Congress of Berlin to hand-over the northern Albanian regions of Hoti, Gruda, Ulqini, Trieshi, Plava etc. to Montenegro. He had the honor to be present in the national organization to protect the rights and seek national independence for the Albanian people from the Ottoman Empire, this organization is known in history as the League of Prizren. When Prince Nicholas I of Montenegro (Krajl Nikolla) and his army stepped foot on the Albanian land (which had been given to him by the Congress of Berlin) Baca Kurti heard gunshots from an extreme point in Malësia, and he and other men of Malësia organized a resistance against Montenegro and against the injustice of Europe. He opposed the selling of Albanian land in th European Diplomacy deal. A golden page in the 1,000 years of Albanian history was made towards the end of the 19th Century, when Baca Kurti and other Malësors of Northern Albania fought and defeated Montenegrins in the Battle of Rrzhanica. These words he said towards his fellow natives for the protection of Ura e Rrzhanicës (Rrzhanica Bridge) in Malësia, against the Montenegrin army;

"Vëllazën, anmiku po na mësyen! Kush don me dekë sot për vend të vet dhe për nder të armëve të veta, të vinë pas meje!"

Translation:
*"Brothers, the enemy is coming after us! whoever wants to die today for their own country and for the honor of their armor, shall follow me!"He mobilized not only the members of his family (clan), but also members of other towns of Malësia, to go against the Montenegrin army and to have the Montenegrins leave native Albanian territory.

He is known to Albanians world wide, songs and poems were created in his honor.

"Baca Kurtit, Krajl Nikollaja pat çue një shumë të holla,çka i tha Baci shpi dajllarehajt e këqyr do tjera hallese s'e shes kur tokën me pare."

Translation:
*Prince Nikolla had sent an (money) offer to Baca Kurti, What did Baca from a honorable family say to the prince? Go and look at some other problems, because I'll never sell my land for money.

"Baca Kurti s'din ç'asht droja hej more, hej,Ja ka çu grushtin te goja, hej more, hej" -verse of song sung by Nikollë Nikprelaj.

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