- Dushmani family
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The Dushmani family was an Albanian feudal family, which ruled during the 14th and 15th centuries a territory in northern Albania, from Zadrima plain to Albanian Alps.
History
They are mentioned first in the middle of the fourteenth century in Venetian charters, as vassals of Balšić.[1] One member of the family, Gjin Dushmani has been mentioned together with other Albanian feudals, as a commander of Albanian auxiliary troops in the Battle of Ankara in 1402.[2] After the Ottoman defeat they offered themselves as vassals to the Venice Republic in 1403.[3] Members of this family were also elected in Catholic clergy. Among them is Pal Dushmani which is mentioned as Bishop of Pult (“Dusmanus ep. Polat.”) in 1427.[4] Another member of the family, Lekë Dushmani, is mentioned as one of the founders of League of Lezhë.[5] His daughter Irene Dushmani became famous while there was a dispute for her which brought the first defection among the members of League of Lezhë which led toward Albanian–Venetian War of 1447–1448.[6] Alongside with Spani family, the Dushmani family was against the war with the Venice Republic and did not participate in it.
Legacy
In the XXth century Albania there was still a Dushmani tribe called after the name of the feudal family. The description of the tribe taraditions and customs has been done by Edit Durham in her book "Some tribal origins, laws and customs of the Balkans" published in 1928. After the occupation of Albania from Ottoman Empire, part of family that descended from Lekë Dushmani migrated in the Venetian territory of Corfu. Notable members of this branch of the family include Anthony Dousmanis, Sofoklis Dousmanis and Viktor Dousmanis.[7][8][9]
References
- ^ Great Ottoman Turkish civilization Volume 4 of The Great Ottoman-Turkish Civilisation, Kemal Çiçek, ISBN 975678217X, 9789756782170 Authors Kemal Çiçek, Ercüment Kuran Editors Kemal Çiçek, Ercüment Kuran, Nejat Göyünç, İlber Ortaylı Publisher Yeni Türkiye, 2000 ISBN 9756782218, 9789756782217
- ^ Islamic studies, Volume 36, Issues 2-4 Authors Islamic Research Institute (Pakistan), Central Institute of Islamic Research (Pakistan) Publisher Islamic Research Institute, 1997 p.195
- ^ Some tribal origins, laws and customs of the Balkans Volume 2 of Human relations area files: Albania Author Mary Edith Durham Publisher George Allen & Unwin, 1928 p. 28
- ^ STATUTET E DRISHTIT DHE E DREJTA URBANE NË PERIUDHËN ARBËRORE by Shaban SINANI PERLA – Revistë shkencore – Kulturore tremujore Viti X 2005 Nr. 4 (39) fq. 27-57 Botuesi: Fondacioni Kulturor “Saadi Shirazi” – Tiranë (in Albanian)
- ^ George Castroiti Scanderbeg (1405-1468) Author Fan Stylian Noli Publisher International Universities Press, 1947 p.36
- ^ George Castroiti Scanderbeg (1405-1468) Author Fan Stylian Noli Publisher International Universities Press, 1947 p.39
- ^ Popular autocracy in Greece, 1936-41: a political biography of general Ioannis Metaxas Author Panayiotis J. Vatikiotis Edition illustrated Publisher Routledge, 1998 ISBN 0714648698, 9780714648699 p. 25
- ^ Old and new Athens (Gekürzte Ausg. d. 1953-1955 ersch. griech. Orig. Ausg.) Author Demetrios Sicilianos Edition abridged Publisher Putnam, 1960 p. 223
- ^ The Greek passion: a study in people and politics Author Kenneth Young Edition illustrated Publisher Dent, 1969 p. 110
Categories:- Albanian nobility
- Albanian families
- Medieval Albania
- 14th-century Albanian people
- 15th-century Albanian people
- 14th century in Albania
- 15th century in Albania
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