Myzeqe

Myzeqe or Myzeqeja, or Musachia is a region in the south-western part of central Albania,[1] sometimes referred to as being between the Shkumbin and Seman rivers,[2] and sometimes extending south to the Vjose river north of Vlorë.[3] Administratively, the region falls mainly within Lushnjë and Fier District. Other terms like Myzeqeja e Vogël (Small Myzeqe), Myzeqeja e Beratit (Berat's Myzeqe), or Myzeqeja e Vlorës (Vlora's Myzeqe) are used to point respectively to the Fier part of the region, and to tiny parts that fall into the adjacent districts of Berat and Vlorë.[4] It stretches 65 km north-south and 50 km east-west, with a total area of around 1350 square kilometers.[5]

Etymology

The name of the region comes from the Medieval times, it is named after the ruling family of Muzaka (1280 - 1600) which possessed the area. The toponym is first recorded as Musachia in 1417.[5] Previously the region's name was Savra.[6]
Another version of the etymology comes from the folkloric traditions, under which, the name comes from an old clan chief called Lal Muzhaqi who settled the area.[6]

Population

Myzeqe is where the Gheg, Tosk, and Lab populations meet.[3] There is also presence of Vlachs, established mainly in Divjake town, and some of the Fier villages. Plenty of Slavic toponyms are present in Myzeqe.[7] Aside from the Vlachs practically all the inhabitants of Myzeqe are ethnic Albanians. All people from the region as called Myzeqarë ("People from Myzeqe") which is widely used on a geographical point of view. Another term used for people in that area is Lal(ë), deferring them from other groups, i.e. the Labs.[6] They are also one of the earliest habitants of Myzeqe.

Myzeqe is notable in its religious makeup as one of the few fairly large regions of Albania where a majority of inhabitants remained Orthodox Christian throughout the Ottoman rule. Around the era of Albanian independence, statistics show that around Fier, roughly 65% of the population was Christian, while in Lushnja the numbers of Christians and Muslims were comparable. [8]

Economy

This region is well known for its agricultural potential which was not always utilized. Most of today's fields were practically swamps and desolate lands until after World War II. This caused seasonal migration of the population.[9][10] After WWII, the communist government launched massive campaigns for draining the area. Following the increase in agricultural potential, the region gained significant importance. Since then, Myzeqe has been called the "Albanian granary".

References

  1. ↑ "John Musachi: Brief Chronicle on the Descendants of our Musachi Dynasty".
  2. ↑ Balcanica. Srpska Akademija Nauka i Umetnosti. 1979. p. 167. ...у ниској јадранској области Мусакији (каже се још Музакија и Музећија) на западу....она лежи између ушћа река Шкумбе и Семени.
  3. 1 2 Eno Koco (2010), Vocal Iso(n): The Preservation of Traditions in North East Mediterranean Practice, Acta Studia Albanica, pp. 74–75
  4. ↑ Emil Lafe, Nikoleta Cikuli, Mevlan Kabo (Instituti i Gjuhësisë dhe i Letërsisë, Akademia e Shkencave e RSH) (2002), Fjalor i emrave gjeografikë të Republikës së Shqipërisë [Dictionary of the geographical names of the Republic of Albania], Shtëpia Botuese "Shkenca", pp. 70,200,317, ISBN 9992778334
  5. 1 2 Robert Elsie (March 19, 2010), Historical Dictionary of Albania, Historical Dictionaries of Europe, Scarecrow Press, pp. 318–319, ISBN 978-0810861886
  6. 1 2 3 Martin Camaj (1984), Albanian Grammar: With Exercises, Chrestomathy and Glossaries, O. Harrassowitz, pp. 81–82, ISBN 978-3447024679
  7. ↑ Petar Skok (1934). Dolazak Slovena na Mediteran. Hrvatska s̆tamparija S. Vidović. p. 106. Čitava plodna Muzakija prepuna je slovenskih toponima
  8. ↑ Siegfried Gruber. "Regional variation in marriage patterns in Albania at the beginning of the 20th century". www-gewi.uni-graz.at. Retrieved 2014-06-11.
  9. ↑ Ali Farazmand (June 29, 2001), Handbook of Comparative and Development Public Administration, Public Administration and Public Policy 94, CRC Press, p. 804, ISBN 978-0824704360
  10. ↑ Iz istorije Albanaca: zbornik predavanja : priručnik za nastavnike. Zabod za izdavanje udžbenika Socijalističke Republike Srbije. 1969. p. 61. Познати пољопривредни рејон Музакија због одласка људи у печалбу није био довољно обрађен.

Coordinates: 40°55′N 19°40′W / 40.917°N 19.667°W / 40.917; -19.667

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