illyrian_eagle
Spitzen-Poster
KELMENDET:
Kelmend (or Klementi, Serbian: Клименти, Klimenti) is an Albanian Region, known as the Klementi Mountain, (Albanian: Mali i Kelmenit) originating from Malesia, now known as the Malësi e Madhe District in Albania, and surrounding ethnic Albanian territories. The families can be found in Albania, Montenegro, and Kosovo. Kelmendi is also the largest Albanian tribe within Malesia, as a result to the largest population and land within Malësia territory. The extended regions of Vuthaj and Martinaj are located in Montenegro, and Rugova is located in Kosovo. These towns are populated by descendents of Kelmendi. The clan was once an all- Roman Catholic clan. The region properly called Kelmend is still 95% Catholic. However, the branch of Kelmendi called Rugova, is predominantly of the Muslim faith. Religion cannot be taken as a factor that defines the identity of the Kelmendi region. On the contrary, the Kelmendi region is and has always been secular.
Western Kelmendi is some Catholic, while the Kelmendi in the Lim River Valley, Plav-Gusinje and Rugova are Muslim.
Family descendants of the Kelmendi clan from the Kelmendi Proper Region
[edit] Plavë-Gucia
Bjelopavlići
Sandžak
[edit] Vërmosh
Kelmend (or Klementi, Serbian: Клименти, Klimenti) is an Albanian Region, known as the Klementi Mountain, (Albanian: Mali i Kelmenit) originating from Malesia, now known as the Malësi e Madhe District in Albania, and surrounding ethnic Albanian territories. The families can be found in Albania, Montenegro, and Kosovo. Kelmendi is also the largest Albanian tribe within Malesia, as a result to the largest population and land within Malësia territory. The extended regions of Vuthaj and Martinaj are located in Montenegro, and Rugova is located in Kosovo. These towns are populated by descendents of Kelmendi. The clan was once an all- Roman Catholic clan. The region properly called Kelmend is still 95% Catholic. However, the branch of Kelmendi called Rugova, is predominantly of the Muslim faith. Religion cannot be taken as a factor that defines the identity of the Kelmendi region. On the contrary, the Kelmendi region is and has always been secular.
Western Kelmendi is some Catholic, while the Kelmendi in the Lim River Valley, Plav-Gusinje and Rugova are Muslim.
Family descendants of the Kelmendi clan from the Kelmendi Proper Region
[edit] Plavë-Gucia
- Ahmetaj (Serbian truncation: Ahmetović) - from village Vusanje/Vuthaj. They descend from a certain Ahmet Nikaj, son of Nika Nrrelaj and grandson of Nrrel Balaj, and are originally from Vukël in northern Albania.
- Bacaj
- Balaj (Serbian truncation: Bal(j)ić) - from village Grnčar/Gërnçari. Immigrated to Plav-Gusinje in 1698 from the village of Vukël (or Selcë?) in northern Albania and converted to Islam the same year. The clan's closest relatives are the Balidemajt/Balidemići. Legend has it that the Balić, Balidemaj and Vukelj clans descended from three brothers. However, a member of the Vukelj clan married a member of the Balić clan, later resulting in severed relations with the Vukelj clan.
- Balidemaj (Serbian truncation: Bal(j)idemaj/Balidemić) - from village Martinovići/Martinaj. Their ancestor, a Catholic Albanian named Martin, immigrated to the village of Trepča/Trepçë in the late 17th century from the village of Selcë in northern Albania. His descendants became known as Martini/Martinović. This branch of the clan remained Catholic for three generations, until Martin's great-grandson converted to Islam, taking the name Omer. Since then, the family was known as Omeraj/Omerović. Until recently was the family's name changed to Balidemaj. The clan's closest relatives are the Balajt/Balići and Martini/Martinovići. Legend has it that the Balić, Balidemaj and Vukelj clans descended from three brothers.
- Bruçaj (Serbian truncation: Bručaj/Bručević) - they are descendants of a Catholic Albanian named Bruç Nrrelaj, son of Nrrel Balaj, and are originally from Vukël in northern Albania.
- Cakaj (?) (Serbian truncation: Cakić)
- Canaj (Serbian truncation: Canović) - from the villages of Bogaj/Bogajići, Višnjevo/Vishnjeva and Đurička Rijeka/Reka e Xhurës. Immigrated to Plav-Gusinje in 1698 from the village of Vukël in northern Albania and converted to Islam the same year.
- Çelaj (Serbian truncation: Čel(j)ić) - from the villages of Vusanje/Vuthaj and Vojno Selo. Claimed to be descendants of Nrrel Balaj. Their descendants include the Nikça/Nikča clan.
- Dedushaj (Serbian truncation: Dedušaj/Dedušević) - from village Vusanje/Vuthaj. They are descendants of a Catholic Albanian named Ded (Dedush) Balaj, son of Nrrel Balaj, and are originally from Vukle in northern Albania.
- Hakaj (Serbian truncation: Hakanjin) - from village Hakaj/Hakanje.
- Hasangjekaj (Serbian truncation: Hasanđekaj/Hasanđekić) - from village Martinovići/Martinaj. They are originally from Vukël in northern Albania. They are descendants of a certain Hasan Gjekaj.
- Hasilović - from the village of Bogaj/Bogajić.
- Gorçaj
- Gjonbalaj (Serbian truncation: Đonbaljaj/Đonbalić) - from village Vusanje/Vuthaj with relatives in Vojno Selo. Their ancestor, a Catholic Albanian named Gjon Balaj, immigrated with his sons: Bala, Aslan, Tuça and Hasan; along with his brother, Nrrel, and his children: Nika, Ded (Dedush), Stanisha, Bruç and Vuk from the village of Vukël in northern Albania to the village of Vusanje/Vuthaj in the late-17th century. Upon arriving, Gjon and his descendants settled in the village Vusanje/Vuthaj and converted to Islam and were known as the Gjonbalaj. Relatives include Ahmetajt/Ahmetovići, Bruçajt/Bručevići, Çelajt/Čelići, Goçaj/Gočević, Lekajt/Lekovići, Selimajt/Selimovići, Qosajt/Ćosovići, Ulajt/Uljevići, Vuçetajt/Vučetovići.
- Kukaj (Serbian truncation: Kuković) - from the village of Vusanje/Vuthaj
- Lecaj (Serbian truncation: Ljecaj) - from the village of Martinovići/Martinaj. They are originally from Vukël in northern Albania.
- Lekaj (Serbian truncation: Leković) - from the villages of Gornja Ržanica/Rëzhnica e Epërme and Vojno Selo. They are originally from Vukël in northern Albania. They are descendants of a certain Lekë Pretashi Nikaj.
- Martini (Serbian truncation: Martinović) - from the village of Martinovići/Martinaj. Their ancestor, a Catholic Albanian named Martin, immigrated to the village of Trepča/Trepçë in the late 17th century from the village of Selcë in northern Albania. His descendants became known as Martini/Martinović. The Balidemajt/Balidemići and Prelvukajt/Preljvukići descend from the Martini clan.
- Musaj (Serbian truncation: Musić) - Immigrated to Plav-Gusinje in 1698 from village Vukël in northern Albania and converted to Islam the same year.
- Novaj (Serbian truncation: Novović)
- Pepaj (Serbian truncation: Pepić) - from the village of Pepići/Pepaj
- Prelvukaj (Serbian truncation: Preljvukaj/Preljvukić) - from the village of Martinovići/Martinaj. Originally from Vukël in northern Albania. They are descendants of a certain Prelë Vuka of the Martini clan.
- Rekaj (Serbian truncation: Reković) - from village Bogajići/Bogaj, immigrated to Plav-Gusinje circa 1858.
- Rugovac - from the village of Višnjevo/Vishnjeva with relatives in Vojno Selo and Babino Polje. They are descendants of the Rugova section of the Kelmendi in Kosovo.
- Qosaj/Qosja (Serbian truncation: Ćosaj/Ćosović) - from the village of Vusanje/Vuthaj. They are descendants of a certain Qosa Stanishaj, son of Stanisha Nrrelaj and are originally from Vukël in northern Albania.
- Selimaj (Serbian truncation: Seljimaj/Sel(j)imović)
- Smajić - from the village of Novshaj / Novšići.
- Skić - Relatives of the Salić clan in Ulcinj.
- Suknović - descendants of the Rugovac clan.
- Ulaj (Serbian truncation: Uljaj/Ul(j)ević) - from the village of Vusanje/Vuthaj. They are originally from Vukël in northern Albania. They are descendants of a certain Ulë Nikaj, son of Nika Nrrelaj.
- Vukel (Serbian truncation: Vukelj) - from the village of Dolja/Dola. They immigrated to Gusinje in 1675 from the village of Vukël in northern Albania. A certain bey from the Šabanagić clan gave the Vukel clan the village of Dolja, where they continue to reside present-day.
- Vuçetaj (Serbian truncation: Vučetaj/Vučetović) - from village Vusanje/Vuthaj. They are originally from Vukël in northern Albania. They are descendants of a certain Vuçetë Nikaj, son of Nika Nrrelaj.
- Ćatović - from the village of Baća, later moved to Novi Pazar. They are a branch of the Murić clan.
- Demić - from the areas of Rožaje. They are originally from Selcë in northern Albania.
- Demčević - from the areas of Rožaje and Bijelo Polje.
- Džudžović - from the village of Jablanica.
- Fejzić - from the area of Rožaje.
- Fetahović - from the area of Rožaje. They are a branch of the Murić clan.
- Gorudžić - from the village of Jablanica. They are a branch of the Murić clan.
- Halilović - originally from Selcë in northern Albania.
- Hudžodžović - from the village of Jablanica
- Nicaj (Serbian truncation: Nicevici, Nicovici) - from the village of Balota
- Nikča - originally from Vukël in northern Albania.
- Nokić - from the area of Rožaje.
- Rugova - originally from Selcë in northern Albania (now live in Pristina and Peć).
- Šabovići - from the villages of Gornje Glavice and Dapci. They are a branch of the Murić clan.
- Vukli - from the area of Rožaje. originally from Vukël in northern Albania.
- Zejnelagić - from the area of Rožaje. One section of the clan is originally from Selcë in northern Albania. Today, these Zejnelagićs are found in Rožaje and in Sjenica. Another section of the Zejnelagićs are from Nikça in northern Albania. This section of the Zejnelagićs immigrated to the Lim River Valley in 1698. Today, they are found in the villages of Donja Lovnica and Ibarac in Rožaje. They are related to the Ramović clan.
- Zejnelović
- Bracaj (Serbian truncation: Bracović) - from the village of Vrbica, originally from Selcë in northern Albania.
- Đerđelović - Descendants of the Bracović clan.
- Gorvok - from the villages of Koca, Orahovo and Podgrad.
- Nikaj (Serbian truncation: Nikić) - descendants of a certain Nikë (Nikollë).
- Niculovic - from the village of Orahovo. They are descendants of a certain Pak Nika, and are originally from Selcë in northern Albania.
- Sinanović - Originally known as the Kutevići. Today they can be found in Podgorica.
- Dabović - from the villages of Gureza, Livari and Gornji Šestani. Can be found in Shkodër. Their relatives are the Lukić clan in Krajina. Can be found in Shkodër.
- Džaferović - from the village of Bes. Can be found in Shkodër.
- Lukić - Related to the Dabović clan in Krajina.
- Oxhaj (Serbian truncation: Odžaj/Odžić) - from the village of Donji Murići.
- Orlandić - from the village of Seoca in Crmnica, and from the area of Lower Krajina. They can also be found in Berislavci (near Zeta).
- Perovići - originally from the village of Selcë in northern Albania.
- Radovići - from the village of Zagonje.
- Dakanović - from the village of Klimenza
- Lelcaj - from the town of Štoj.
- Salić - from the areas of Ulcinj and Komorač. Their relatives, the Skić clan, are found in Gucia/Gusinje.
Bjelopavlići
- Đuranović - from the town of Martinići. Their relatives are of the Đurašković clan.
- Janković - from the villages of Krečko Ždrijelo, Pećine, Borovi, Škam, Bukišta Krš, Arbanasi, Jankovići, Ljumovići, Drušići, Češljari, Rvaši, Mrcelji, Bobija, Dodoši (near Rijeka Crnojevića) and Žabljak Crnojevića. They are descendants of a certain Lekë.
- Ražn(j)atović - from the village of Dobrsko selo near Rijeka Crnojevića. The clan was originally known as Gornjak. Relatives include the Vuličevići. These Ražnatovićs are today found in Podgorica, Ulcinj and Zeta.
- Čubranović - Relatives are the Zlatičani. The clan can also be found in Podgorica.
- Raković - from the town of Golubovci
Sandžak
- Jerebičanin - from the town of Tutin. Descendants of the Martini/Martinović clan in Gucia/Gusinje.
[edit] Vërmosh
- Bujaj
- Bunjaj
- Cali
- Hasanaj
- Hysaj
- Lelçaj
- Lumaj
- Macaj
- Mitaj
- Mrnacaj/Mernacaj
- Pllumaj
- Preljocaj/Tinaj
- Selmanaj
- Shqutaj
- Tinaj
- Vukaj
- Vuktilaj
- Bardhecaj
- Bucaj
- Bikaj
- Drejaj
- Elezaj/Elezi
- Gjonvukaj (Gjevukaj)
- Gorovok
- Gorvok/Gorvoka/Gorvokaj
- Grishaj
- Havoll
- Jerebičanin
- Kelmendi
- Lekutanaj
- Nikaj (Serbian truncation: Niković) - Originally from Vukël in northern Albania. They are descendants of a certain Nika Nrrelaj, son of Nrrel Balaj.
- Nikçi (One of four biggest villages of Kelmendi:Nikçi,Vukëli,Selca,Boga)
- Nilaj
- Pali'''(Palushi)
- Prelaj
- Rudaj
- Selmani (Serbian truncation: Seljmani/Sel(j)manović) - Originally from Vukël in northern Albania. They are descendants of a certain Selman Gjonbalaj of the Gjonbalaj clan.
- Sirdani
- Zenelaj from Martinaj
- Muriqi from Rugove
- Smajlaj from Nikc
- There are more families that are supposed to appear on this list, and this is near impossible for the sheer massivity of the task. Kelmendi is a huge Fis, and none of the families that are listed here are done so for any particular reason or order, other than to list a few of them to provide an example