Gorani – Sharr Mountains Dwellers

Autor - Kaper Ładoń, Cultural Affairs Assistant.

The flag of the young country of Kosovo, established in 2008, features a dark blue background, a golden outline of its national territory, and six stars at the top. Each star on the flag represents one ethnic group that lives in the country. These groups include the Albanians (who make up the dominant majority in Kosovo), Serbs, Roma, Turks and Bosniaks. The sixth star represents Gorani – small ethnic group living primary around the Sharr Mountains in southern Kosovo.



The region inhabited by Gorani is called Gora, which translated means 'mountainous'. It is part of three states, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Albania. To the west, Gora is bounded by a region called Luma, home to Albanian group of the same name. To the north it shares border with the Kosovo region of Opoja and to the east with the Macedonian region of Tetovo. Gora covers an area of approximately 500 km² . These are predominantly rural areas, with 30 Gorani villages located near rivers and in foothills. Given the mountainous terrain it is not surprising that one of the traditional main sources of livelihood was animal husbandry. To this day, it is still possible to see shepherds with large flocks of sheep, accompanied by Šarplaninac shepherd dogs, a breed, characteristic of this region. During the Ottoman Empire, the Gorans were also involved in trade, selling fruit and nuts and establishing their own bakeries and restaurants.

The Gorani are a small group. The number of its members is difficult to estimate due to the complex identity situation and Gorani’s migration abroad. Further complicating matters is the fact that, for a very long time, the Gorani were not officially recognised as an ethnic minority. It was only in 2011 that declaring Gorani origin in a census became available for the first time in history. As a result, many people choose available identity option that is close to their own identity or declare one that facilitated institutional integration. According to the 2011 census, the number of Gorani in Kosovo is around 10 000. However, to estimate their number more accurately, the population of Gorani villages in North Macedonian and Albanian, as well as migrants, should be considered. In recent years, the total number of Gorani is estimated to be around 30 000.

Kosovar Gorani are the most numerous of all the Gorani. At the same time, their elites are clearly the most active and well organized group of Gorani, with functioning schools, local Gora political parties, various social organizations, and mosques that operate independently from those of their Albanian co-religionists. Additionally, Radio Gora broadcasts regularly, other local radio stations are emerging, and internet portals are active.

There are several elements through which we can see Gorani as a distinct group. First and foremost is their origin. It is widely accepted that the Gorani have Slavic roots. However, the precise identity of the collectivity from which Gorans derive remains a matter of debate. Over the years, various concepts have been proposed regarding their roots and national identity. These theories are often promoted by individual states seeking to introduce Gorani into their national narrative and sometimes as a justification for territorial claims.

Serbs, Albanians, Macedonians and Bulgarians put forward their own theories. According to modern Serbian historians, Gorani are an ethnic group that evolved from Serbs. They argue that Gorani language, although evolving under Macedonian influence, originated from Old Serbian. The Macedonian conception asserts that Gorani are ethnic Macedonians who practice Islam, and that their language, Našinski, is a local dialect of Macedonian. Another theory suggests that the Gorani are descendants of Bogomils, a sect that originated in Bulgaria in the 10th century and found its followers in the Byzantine Empire and Western Europe. Some of Bogomils, fleeing persecution, are said to have sought refuge in the remote mountains, where they formed community of Gorani.

The concept that is least obvious and requires more discussion is the Bosnian concept. According to this theory, Gorani are ethnic Bosnians, and Našinski language is a dialect of Bosnian. However, there is an important distinction here between Bosniaks and Bosniaks. The former term refers to ethnic Bosniaks, who live in Bosnia and Herzegovina, while the latter is a category that was created at the end of the 20th century, initially to describe Muslims who did not align themselves as either Serb nor Croat. This designation made it possible to formally define individuals identity within the institutional framework of the Yugoslav state.

The various concepts continue to find both supporters and opponents among Gorani intellectual elite. Nevertheless, despite the different theories on their origin, members of Gorani community declare themselves as Gorani.

The fundamental glue binding various ethnic groups together is their shared language. Language is one of main factors that definies an ethnic group, serving as a key element in shaping group identity, and distinguishing from other groups. A defining characteristic of Gorani is their unique language, Našinski, meaning "ours.".

In the streets of many Gorani towns and villages, Našinski can frequently be heard. The language is notable for its grammatical features, such as the absence of case-based declension for nouns and adjectives and an extensive conjugation of verbs. Grammatically, it shares similarities with Macedonian – with which it has the most in common – along with Bulgarian and southeastern Serbian dialects. It is part of what is known as Balkan Slavonic linguistic group.

Another unifying aspect of the Goran identity is their shared faith. The Gorans are Sunni Muslims. This reflects centuries of Ottoman Turks domination in the region. However, their practice of Islam carries a distinctive and unusual element: on May 6th they celebrate St George's Day, a tradition typically associated with Christianity. For the Gorani, this day marks the arrival of spring and is a time for joyous festivities.. It is a time of festivities and celebration not only because of the welcoming of the new season, but also because it is traditional period for organizing Gorani weddings, known for their unique form and customs.

Currently, as a result of globalisation, political factors and migration, the Gorani – like many other ethnic groups in the world – are struggling to maintain their identity and culture. The biggest challenge may be maintaining their language. This language, which is neither used in public institutions, nor is taught in schools, survives solely through oral transmission within the community.

Sources:

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