Shpend Dragobia (may also known as Zeqir Elezi of Krasniqi, Shpend Bali Bisheva, or Zeqir Halili) (b.1853, Margegaj, Tropojë - d. August 18, 1918, Dragobi, Tropojë) was an Albanian warrior during the pre-Albanian declaration of independence period and later.[1][2] He was the son of Bali Arif Bisheva, a member of the League of Prizren and fighter during the Albanian uprising of 1845-1862 against the German-born Marshal Mehmed Ali Pasha.[3] Shpend Dragobia grew up to be a patriotic figure known for his wisdom, character and bravery.[4]
Biography
editHe spent his childhood in Peja as the guest of Haxhi Zeka, whom he was related to. Among the Albanian patriots, he mustered courage and began fighting. During the years of 1908–1910, Dragobia fought Turkish,[5] Greek, Montenegrin and Serb invading forces[6][7] and participated in the Albanian declaration of independence in Vlora in 1912. He continued as the leader of the Highlands of Gjakova.[8] During the July revolution, he continued to live in his home village.[9][10]
He was shot in the back in 1918 at the age of 65 by Austro-Hungarian forces in Qafa e Markofqes, in the mountain of Gjarpri in today's Kukës County.[11][12][13] He was a close friend and related to Isa Boletini. He is a venerated figure in Albania and Kosovo.[14] He also helped Bajram Curri open up a school in Krasniqe.[15]
According to Montenegrin archives, on October 15, 1912, Bajram Curri and Shpend Dragobia vowed to attack Montenegrin forces every day if they tried to invade Albanian territories. On August 5, 1912, Dragobia and Curri freed 1000 Albanian prisoners in Skopje (Alb: Shkup) and raised the flag with 6000 fighters. On July 22, he, alongside highlanders from Dukagjin, numbering 12000, liberated Prishtina from the Ottomans. Shpend Dragobia united the tribes of Krasniqi, Gashi, Has, and Rekë in the highlands of Tropoje.[16] In mars 7, 1912, Adil Beg, a minister under the influence of the Young Turks, was on his way to visit Mitrovica, Peja and Gjakova to try and calm the revolters.[17][18][19] They were attacked by Dragobia and his men and fighting lasted for three days.[20] Shpend Dragobia is mentioned in Albanian epic folklore and there is a cave named after him in Tropojë.[21][22][23]
Film
editThe Albanian film Nentori i Dyte features the character Shpend Dragobia in a scene where he goes down on knees and kisses the newly sown Albanian flag. The role is played by Mario Ashiku.
References
edit- ^ "Prelë Tuli i Mërturit (1852 – 1918) nga Ylli Prebibaj". Radi and Radi (in Albanian). 14 January 2015.
- ^ 4. .”Libri “Krijuesit e Historisë” Prishtinë 2012.
- ^ 3. Zekeria Cana,”Lëvizja kombëtare shqiptare në kosovë,1908-1912″
- ^ "Zemra Shqiptare - Gani Qarri: Bajram Daklani - Hero emblematik". www.zemrashqiptare.net.
- ^ Historia e popullit shqiptar: Përgatitur nga një kolektiv punonjësish shkencorë sektorëve të historisë së kohës së lashtë dhe të kohës së mesme (in Albanian). Enti i botimeve shkollare i Republikës Socialiste të Serbisë. 1968.
- ^ 2. https://www.shqiperia.com/ “Kryengritjet-kunderosmane
- ^ "ZEQIR HALILI, një jetë në luftë për liri". Students of Story. 29 December 2014.
- ^ Rahimi, Shukri (1969). Vilajeti i Kosovës më 1878-1912 (in Albanian). Enti i Teksteve dhe i Mjeteve Mësimore i Krahinës Socialiste Autonome të Kosovës.
- ^ Balliu, Fahri (1996). Berisha përmes kasandrave (in Albanian). Shtëpia Botuese "Ombra GVG".
- ^ 6. historia.shqiperia.com/rilindja/ Kreu _11.php “Kryengritja e Kosovës e Vitit 1910″ Kreu XI )
- ^ Bey, Ismail Kemal; Hoxha, Teuta; Përgjithshme, Arkivi të Shtetit (Albania) Drejtoria e (1982). Ismail Qemali: përmbledhje dokumentesh, 1888-1919 (in Albanian). Shtëpia Botuese "8 Nëntori".
- ^ Haxhihasani, Qemal; Xhagolli, Agron; Shqipërisë), Instituti i Kulturës Popullore (Akademia e Shkencave e RPS të (1985). Folklor kosovar (in Albanian). Akademia e Shkencave e RPS të Shqipërisë, Instituti i Kulturës Popullore.
- ^ Drini, Skënder (1983). Bajram Curri (in Albanian). Shtëpia Botuese "8 Nëntori".
- ^ 5. www.shqipëria.com “Kryengritja në Malësinë e Mbishkodrës 1911″
- ^ "Shqiptarja.com - Guri i randë peshon n'vendin e vet…". Shqiptarja.com.
- ^ 7. www.shqiperia.com “Shqipëria gjatë zgjedhjeve parlamentare të vitit 1908 dhe Kundërrevolucionit të prillit të vitit 1909″
- ^ Pllana, Emin (1978). Kosova and the reforms in Turkey, 1839-1912 (in Albanian). Enti i Historisë së Kosovës.
- ^ Gjuhësisë, Tirana (Albania) Universiteti Shtetëror Instituti i Historisë e (1959). Historia e Shqipërisë (in Albanian).
- ^ 8. (Prof. Dr. Hakif Bajrami: Pse Bajram Curri nuk ishte në Vlorë më 28 Nëntor të vitit 1912?)
- ^ "pashtriku - personalitete - gani qarri: zeqir halili (1853-1918), njË jetË nË luftË pËr liri(ii)". www.pashtriku.org.
- ^ Telegraf, Gazeta. "Tropojë, kulla e Margegajt, qendër e heroizmit dhe traditës". Gazeta Telegraf.
- ^ "gazeta" (PDF).
- ^ 1. (Kryengritja e Përgjithshme e vitit 1912-Historia e Shqipërisë” historia.shqiperia.com/rilindja/kreu_13.php.)