Dushmani family

Dushmani family
Current region Between Zadrima plain and Albanian Alps
Members Goranius, Damianus, Nenada, Lekë Dushmani, Pal Dushmani, Božidar, Antonio Dusmani, Sofoklis Dousmanis and Viktor Dousmanis
Estate Pult and Zadrima
14th century: Vassals of Balšić family
1402 — Ottoman vassals
1403 — Venetian vassals
1444— Member of the League of Lezhë

The Dushmani was an Albanian noble family which ruled a territory in northern Albania, from Zadrima plain to Albanian Alps, during the 14th and 15th centuries.

History

They are mentioned first in the sixth century by the early Byzantine geographer and scholar Procopius of Caesarea (ca.500-565) as Dousmanes who uses this name to refer to a Thraco-Illyrian castle restored by the Emperor Justinian. It occurs with more certainty a millennium later in a Turkish document as Dűșman in 1581, and as Dusimani on the maps of the Venetian cartographer Francesco Maria Coronelli in 1688 and 1691.[1] A member of the family, Gjin Dushmani, was mentioned together with other Albanian feudals, as a commander of Albanian auxiliary troops at the Battle of Ankara in 1402.[2] After the Ottoman defeat they offered themselves as vassals to the Republic of Venice in 1403.[3] On 2 June 1403, the Venetian Senate confirmed Goranius, Damianus and Nenada of the Dushmani family the rule over Pult.[4] Members of the family were also Catholic clergy; among whom was Pal Dushmani, mentioned as Bishop of Pult (“Dusmanus ep. Polat.”) in 1427.[5] Another member of the family, Lekë Dushmani, was mentioned as one of the founders of the League of Lezhë.[6] 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 the Albanian–Venetian War of 1447–1448.[7] Alongside the Spani family, the Dushmani were against the war with Venice and did not participate in it.

In March 1451 Lekë Dukagjini and Božidar Dushmani planned to attack Venetian-controlled Drivast.[8] Their plot was discovered and Božidar was forced into exile.[9]

In July 1452, the Pope sent Pal Dushmani to settle the conflict between Lekë Dukagjini and Skanderbeg.[10]

Legacy

In 20th-century Albania there was still a Dushmani tribe called after the feudal family. The description of the tribe traditions and customs had been done by Edith Durham in her book "Some tribal origins, laws and customs of the Balkans" (1928). After the Ottoman occupation of Albania, part of the family that descended from Lekë Dushmani migrated to the Venetian territory of Corfu. Notable members of this branch of the family include Antonio Dusmani, Sofoklis Dousmanis and Viktor Dousmanis.[11][12][13]

References

  1. ↑ https://books.google.se/books?id=-EzWCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA137&dq=shaban+polluzha&hl=sv&sa=X&ved=0CEgQ6AEwBmoVChMIxPuDrO61yAIVCr5yCh3X5Q2R#v=onepage&q=shaban%20polluzha&f=139|
  2. ↑ 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
  3. ↑ 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
  4. ↑ https://books.google.se/books?id=-EzWCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA137&dq=shaban+polluzha&hl=sv&sa=X&ved=0CEgQ6AEwBmoVChMIxPuDrO61yAIVCr5yCh3X5Q2R#v=onepage&q=shaban%20polluzha&f=139|
  5. ↑ 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)
  6. ↑ George Castroiti Scanderbeg (1405-1468) Author Fan Stylian Noli Publisher International Universities Press, 1947 p. 36
  7. ↑ George Castroiti Scanderbeg (1405-1468) Author Fan Stylian Noli Publisher International Universities Press, 1947 p. 39
  8. ↑ Schmitt, Oliver Jens (2001). Das venezianische Albanien (1392-1479). München: R. Oldenbourg Verlag GmbH München. p. 308. ISBN 3-486-56569--9. Retrieved 17 January 2012. Die eigene Herrschaft im Norden war nicht ungefährdet, wie die Aufdeckung eines Anschlags Božidar Dushmans und Leka Dukagjins gegen Drivasto erwies (Marz 1451),..
  9. ↑ Bešić, Zarij M. (1970). Istorija Črne Gore, Volume 2, Part 2 (in Serbian). Titograd: Redakcija za istoriju Črne Gore. Retrieved 17 January 2012. У Дривасту je окупљао млетачке противнике Божидар Душман и, у спрези с Леком Дукађином, припремао побуну у граду и по селима. Завјера je откривена и Bијеће четрдесеторице осудило га je у марту 1451. год. на тридесетогодишње изгнанство с Млетачких поседа у Албанији
  10. ↑ Spomenik, Volumes 95-97 (in Serbian). Serbian Academy of Science and Arts. 1942. p. xv. Retrieved 2 February 2012. Рим, јули 1452: Папа Никола V шаље Павла Душмана, бискупа у Дривасту, да изравна спор између Скендербега и Дукађина
  11. ↑ Popular autocracy in Greece, 1936-41: a political biography of general Ioannis Metaxas Author Panayiotis J. Vatikiotis Edition illustrated Publisher Routledge, 1998 ISBN 0-7146-4869-8, ISBN 978-0-7146-4869-9 p. 25
  12. ↑ Old and new Athens (Gekürzte Ausg. d. 1953-1955 ersch. griech. Orig. Ausg.) Author Demetrios Sicilianos Edition abridged Publisher Putnam, 1960 p. 223
  13. ↑ The Greek passion: a study in people and politics Author Kenneth Young Edition illustrated Publisher Dent, 1969 p. 110
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