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Revision as of 15:11, 18 July 2005
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| Total population: | ~140,000 (est.) |
| Significant populations in: | Greece: 140,000-1,600,000 (est.) |
| Language | Arvanitic, Greek |
| Religion | Greek Orthodox |
Arvanites (Αρbε̰ρόρ, Arbërór or Σ̈κ̇ιπτάρ, Shqiptár in Arvanitic, Arvanitë in Albanian, Αρβανίτες, Arvanítes in Greek) are the descendants of settlers of Albanian ancestry from central Albania that settled in various Greek lands during the Middle Ages, principally between the 13th century and 15th century. Their current population is estimated at anywhere from 140,000 to 1,600,000. (It is not possible to give an exact figure as Greece has not held a census of mother-tongue speakers since 1951).
Demographics
Arvanites historically lived mostly in central and southern Greece, especially in continental Greece (Στερεά Ελλάδα, Stereá Elládha), the Peloponnese (Πελοπόννησος, Pelopónnisos) and the adjacent islands. Arvanites also live near the Albanian border, in most of Epirus and in the prefectures of Florina and Kastoria.
Like the rest of the Greek population, Arvanites have been emigrating from their villages to the cities and especially to the capital Athens, which, incidentally, was populated by many Arvanites in the early 1800s, before becoming the Greek state's capital.
Language and culture
Arvanites are predominantly Greek Orthodox in religious adherence. Their language, Arvanitic, shares a common origin with Tosk Albanian but has been heavily influenced by Greek over the centuries. The language is in decline, partly due to emigration from Arvanite villages to the Greek-speaking cities, and partly due to its non-recognition by the Greek state; it has no legal status and is not taught in public schools.
The Arvanites have gradually developed a Greek national consciousness and identify themselves with Greeks; some have argued that they are descended from early inhabitants of Greece. They played a prominent role in the Greek War of Independence. Although they are related to Albanians, there have been reports in recent years of clashes between Arvanite communities and Albanian migrants.
Although they are almost fully assimilated into Greek society, some distinct Arvanitic cultural characteristics are still identifiable. There are music CDs featuring Arvanitic songs although the lyrics are often in Greek. There are no mass media in the Arvanitic language, although some local radio stations have occasionally broadcast Arvanite songs.