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'''Arvanites''' (Αρbε̰ρόρε̰ ''Arbërórë'' in ], Αρβανίτες ''Arvanítes'' in ]) are a linguistic minority group of ]. They were an ] people that settled various lands during the ], principally between the ] and ]. Although the Arvanites adopted a Greek ethnic identity at a very early stage, their language survived well into the 20th century. Today however, due to large migration to the cities, it is under the danger of extinction (''see main article ]''). '''Arvanites''' (Αρbε̰ρόρε̰ ''Arbërórë'' or Σ̈κ̇ιπτάρε̰ ''Shqiptarë'' in ], Αρβανίτες ''Arvanítes'' in ] and Arvanitë in ]) are ethnic ] minority group of ]. They were an ] people that settled various lands during the ], principally between the ] and ]. Although the Arvanites adopted a Greek national identity at a very early stage, their ] language survived well into the 20th century. Today however, due to large migration to the cities, it is under the danger of extinction (''see main article ]'').
Arvanites played a prominent role during the ]. Arvanites played a prominent role during the ].


==Origins== ==Origins==
The theories on the origins of the Arvanites assume that they might have been: The theories and hypotheses on the origins of the Arvanites assume that they might have been:
*] descendants of the ] settlers from the ] (today's southern ] and NW ]), who had lost their language and identity.
*] clans that had adopted a ] ethnic conciousness, either as citizens of the ] or the ]. *] clans that had adopted a ] ethnic conciousness, either as citizens of the ] or the ].
*] clans that had moved to the south in order to avoid religious assimilation by the ]. *] clans that had moved to the south in order to avoid religious assimilation by the ].
*] tribe, but not particularly related to the ] branch.
*] descendants of the ] settlers from the ] (today's southern ] and NW ]), who had lost their language and identity. This hypothesis is hardly supported due to the fact that the usage of ] in liturgy has made it more possible for foreigners to assimilate into Greeks rather than for Greeks to be absorbed into other cultures. However, Greek nationalists strongly back this idea for they can claim the presence of Greeks in Epirus since ancient times.


==Demographics and language== ==Demographics and language==
] ]


Arvanites are predominantly ] in ] adherence. Their ], ], shares a common origin with ] and has been heavily influenced by the ] with which it has come into contact. The language is in decline due to emigration from Arvanitic-speaking villages to the Greek-speaking cities. Along with ], Arvanitic has obtained the status of a "protected" languge. Arvanites are predominantly ] in ] adherence. Their ], ], shares a common origin with ] and has been heavily influenced by the ] with which it has come into contact. The language is in decline due to emigration from Arvanitic-speaking villages to the Greek-speaking cities. Along with ], Arvanitic has obtained the status of a "protected" languge.


Like the rest of the ] population, Arvanites have been emigrating from their villages to the cities and especially to the capital ], which, incidentally, was populated by many Arvanites in the early ]. Like the rest of the ] population, Arvanites have been emigrating from their villages to the cities and especially to the capital ], which, incidentally, was populated by many Arvanites in the early ].


According to Biris (]), from ] A.D. to ] A.D., 81,200 Arvanites, mercenary soldiers and their families, settled Greek lands after invitations from ] emperors (] Dynasty), the ] and the ]. The current population of Greeks who have (or might have partially) Arvanitic ancestry, is estimated around 1,600,000 (]), but only 30,000-150,000 Arvanites have a basic knowledge of Arvanitika. Arvanites in Greece do not wish to be given an ] status (as opposed to the ] of ]), and their Arvanitic ancestry is not used as an ethnic self-identification but rather as a secondary folkish identity. Arvanites do not distinguish themselves nor are they distinguished by others from the rest of the Greek population. ] nationalists frequently try to link the ]-related ] to the Albanian nation in order to invent an Albanian minority in Greece, something which completely contradicts the ethnic feelings of the Arvanites themselves. Most Arvanites tend to take offense to such foreign ethnic labels, and they reply to this by regarding themselves as part of the Greek population of ] that lost its native tongue during the ]. Some Arvanites characterise the Arvanite settlement in Greece as the modern ]. According to Biris (]), from ] A.D. to ] A.D., 81,200 Arvanites, mercenary soldiers and their families, settled Greek lands after invitations from ] emperors (] Dynasty), the ] and the ]. The current population of Greeks who have (or might have partially) Arvanitic ancestry, is estimated around 1,600,000 (]), but only 30,000-150,000 Arvanites have a basic knowledge of Arvanitika.




==Arvanitic culture and history== ==Arvanitic culture and history==
The Arvanites, like the Vlachs in Greece, have gradually developed a Greek national consciousness and identify themselves as Greeks. Some have argued that Arvanites are descended from early inhabitants of Greece (]). Although they are linguistically related to Albanians, there have been reports in recent years of clashes between Arvanitic communities and Albanian immigrants. The Arvanites, like the Vlachs in Greece, have gradually developed a Greek national consciousness and identify themselves as Greeks. Some have argued that Arvanites are descended from early inhabitants of Greece (]). They are linguistically related to Albanians.


===Origin and history of the name=== ===Origin and history of the name===
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According to one theory, the word "Arvanitis" is ] with the word "Albanian"; the Greek consonant ''β'' has changed in pronunciation from to . For the "l/r" conversion (]). See also ]. According to one theory, the word "Arvanitis" is ] with the word "Albanian"; the Greek consonant ''β'' has changed in pronunciation from to . For the "l/r" conversion (]). See also ].

Most Arvanites strongly dislike being called ]. During the 1990s, Albanian president ] described the Arvanites as an Albanian minority in Greece, provoking a furious reaction among the Arvanitic community in the Greek mass media.


According to Kollias, some Arvanites of the northwestern Greek region of ] traditionally also use the word '']'' (Σ̈κ̇ιπτάρ) to identify themselves, without claiming an Albanian national consciousness. The word Shqiptár is used as well in a few villages of ], where Arvanites migrated from the mountains of ] during the ]. On the other hand, this word is totally unknown among the main body of the Arvanites in southern Greece. According to Kollias, some Arvanites of the northwestern Greek region of ] traditionally also use the word '']'' (Σ̈κ̇ιπτάρ) to identify themselves, without claiming an Albanian national consciousness. The word Shqiptár is used as well in a few villages of ], where Arvanites migrated from the mountains of ] during the ]. On the other hand, this word is totally unknown among the main body of the Arvanites in southern Greece.

⚫ ===Ancient Greek inscriptions===

⚫ Two archaeological discoveries, and in particular a Corinthian chrism from the ] and a clay wine-pitcher dating back to ] (located in the National Museum of Athens), have been interpreted by the author Nikos Stylos{{ref|ArvaniticLeagueLexicon}} as Arvanitic inscriptions.


===Trivia=== ===Trivia===
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Although they are almost fully assimilated into Greek society, some distinct Arvanitic cultural characteristics are still identifiable. Although they are almost fully assimilated into Greek society, some distinct Arvanitic cultural characteristics are still identifiable.


There are 4 ] ]s featuring Arvanitic songs although the lyrics are often in Greek. There are no mass media in Arvanitic, although some local radio stations have occasionally broadcast Arvanitic songs. During the last decades there have been made some attempts to document Arvanitic songs, the most recent by Thanasis Moraitis. There are 4 ] ]s featuring Arvanitic songs although the lyrics are often in Greek. There are no mass media in Arvanitic, although some local radio stations have occasionally broadcast Arvanitic songs. During the last decades there have been made some attempts to document Arvanitic songs, the most recent by Thanasis Moraitis (Thanas Moraiti).


Arvanitic songs share similarities with ], ] and ]. Arvanitic songs share similarities with ], ] and ].


⚫ ===Ancient Greek inscriptions===
⚫ Two archaeological discoveries, and in particular a Corinthian chrism from the ] and a clay wine-pitcher dating back to ], have been interpreted by the author Nikos Stylos{{ref|ArvaniticLeagueLexicon}} as Arvanitic inscriptions.


==Studies and books about the Arvanites== ==Studies and books for Arvanites==
===Kostas Biris=== ===Kostas Biris===
'''Biris''' was a folklorist and an architect. His book "''Arvanites, the Dorians of modern Hellenism, history of Arvanites Greeks''" (]) is a thorough study on Arvanites and it is the most referenced work by other scholars who studied Arvanites. '''Biris''' was a folklorist and an architect. His book "''Arvanites, the Dorians of modern Hellenism, history of Arvanites Greeks''" (]) is a thorough study on Arvanites and it is the most referenced work by other scholars who studied Arvanites.
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] ]


'''Maria Michael-Dede''' is an author of literature and an ethnologist. She has written two books about Arvanitic songs (]) and the book ''The Greek Arvanites'' (]). '''Maria Michael-Dede''' is an author of literature and an ethnologist. She has written two books about Arvanitic songs (]) and the book ''The Greeks Arvanites'' (]).


===Aristeides Kollias=== ===Aristeides Kollias (Aristidh Kola)===
'''Kollias''', a lawyer by profession, performed ethnologist studies on Arvanites. In his book "''Arvanites and the origin of the Greeks''" (]), Kollias promotes the ''Pelasgian theory'' that identifies the ] with the Arvanites. Kollias states that Greek people and Albanian people were closer in the past than they are during the last two centuries and that they both descend from the Pelasgians. His rejection of the Indo-European theory and his theory that Arvanitika is very close (if not identical) to the ] have been criticized, however his work on Arvanitic culture is generally accepted. '''Kollias''', a lawyer by profession, performed ethnologist studies on Arvanites. In his book "''Arvanites and the origin of the Greeks''" (]), Kollias promotes the ''Pelasgian theory'' that identifies the ] with the Arvanites. Kollias states that Greek people and Albanian people were closer in the past than they are during the last two centuries and that they both descend from the Pelasgians. His rejection of the Indo-European theory and his theory that Arvanitika is very close (if not identical) to the ] have been criticized, however his work on Arvanitic culture is generally accepted.


===Thanasis Moraitis=== ===Thanasis Moraitis (Thanas Moraiti)===
'''Moraitis''' had worked with Kollias for some time, and he did an extensive search on Arvanitic music. In his book "''Arvanitika Songs''", he documents about 150 songs, analyzes their musical structure, and also has texts by linguists and historians about Arvanitic history, culture and the Arvanitic language. '''Moraitis''' had worked with Kollias for some time, and he did an extensive search on Arvanitic music. In his book "''Arvanitika Songs''", he documents about 150 songs, analyzes their musical structure, and also has texts by linguists and historians about Arvanitic history, culture and the Arvanitic language.


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* ''"Anthology of Arvanitika songs of Greece"'', Thanasis Moraitis, 2002, ISBN 9608597676 * ''"Anthology of Arvanitika songs of Greece"'', Thanasis Moraitis, 2002, ISBN 9608597676


]

]


] ]

Revision as of 16:09, 4 February 2006

Ethnic group
Arvanites
File:FArvanites.jpg
Regions with significant populations
Greece
Languages
Arvanitic, Greek
Religion
Greek Orthodox
Related ethnic groups
Albanians

Arvanites (Αρbε̰ρόρε̰ Arbërórë or Σ̈κ̇ιπτάρε̰ Shqiptarë in Arvanitic, Αρβανίτες Arvanítes in Greek and Arvanitë in Albanian) are ethnic Albanian minority group of Greece. They were an Orthodox Christian people that settled various lands during the Middle Ages, principally between the 13th century and 15th century. Although the Arvanites adopted a Greek national identity at a very early stage, their Albanian language survived well into the 20th century. Today however, due to large migration to the cities, it is under the danger of extinction (see main article Arvanitic language). Arvanites played a prominent role during the Greek Revolution of 1821.

Origins

The theories and hypotheses on the origins of the Arvanites assume that they might have been:

  • Albanian clans that had adopted a Byzantine Greek ethnic conciousness, either as citizens of the Despotate of Epirus or the Byzantine Empire.
  • Albanian clans that had moved to the south in order to avoid religious assimilation by the Ottomans.
  • Thraco-Illyrian tribe, but not particularly related to the Albanian branch.
  • Albanized descendants of the Greek settlers from the Despotate of Epirus (today's southern Albania and NW Greece), who had lost their language and identity. This hypothesis is hardly supported due to the fact that the usage of Greek language in liturgy has made it more possible for foreigners to assimilate into Greeks rather than for Greeks to be absorbed into other cultures. However, Greek nationalists strongly back this idea for they can claim the presence of Greeks in Epirus since ancient times.

Demographics and language

File:Gkikas cover.jpg
Photograph of an Arvanite.

Arvanites are predominantly Greek Orthodox in religious adherence. Their language, Arvanitika, shares a common origin with standard Albanian and has been heavily influenced by the Greek language with which it has come into contact. The language is in decline due to emigration from Arvanitic-speaking villages to the Greek-speaking cities. Along with Tsakonian, Arvanitic has obtained the status of a "protected" languge.

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 19th century.

According to Biris (1960), from 1350 A.D. to 1418 A.D., 81,200 Arvanites, mercenary soldiers and their families, settled Greek lands after invitations from Byzantine emperors (Palaeologus Dynasty), the Catalans and the Venetians. The current population of Greeks who have (or might have partially) Arvanitic ancestry, is estimated around 1,600,000 (1994), but only 30,000-150,000 Arvanites have a basic knowledge of Arvanitika.

Arvanitic culture and history

The Arvanites, like the Vlachs in Greece, have gradually developed a Greek national consciousness and identify themselves as Greeks. Some have argued that Arvanites are descended from early inhabitants of Greece (Pelasgians). They are linguistically related to Albanians.

Origin and history of the name

We first learn of the ancestors of the modern Albanians, as the Arbanites of Arbanon, in Anna Comnena's account (Alexiad, IV). The account discusses about the troubles in the region of Arbanon caused by the Normans during the reign of her father, Emperor Alexius I Comnenus (1081-1118). In the History, written in 1079/1080 A.D., Byzantine historian Michael Attaliates was the first to refer to the Albanoi as having taken part in a revolt against Constantinople in 1043 A.D. and to the Arbanitai as subjects of the Duke of Dyrrachium.

The terms Arvanitika and Arvanitic derive from the word Arvanitai (Αρβανίται); the etymology according to Yannis Koulakis' dictionary (ISBN 960-239-135-9) of the Greek adjective Arvanitika is from the root Arvanit- of the term Arvanitis.

According to one theory, the word "Arvanitis" is cognate with the word "Albanian"; the Greek consonant β has changed in pronunciation from to . For the "l/r" conversion (rhotacism). See also the history of the toponym Albania.

According to Kollias, some Arvanites of the northwestern Greek region of Epirus traditionally also use the word Shqiptár (Σ̈κ̇ιπτάρ) to identify themselves, without claiming an Albanian national consciousness. The word Shqiptár is used as well in a few villages of Thrace, where Arvanites migrated from the mountains of Pindos during the 19th century. On the other hand, this word is totally unknown among the main body of the Arvanites in southern Greece.

Trivia

Ouzo bottle from the town of Plomari in Lesvos.
  • Arvanitissa is the feminine of Arvanitis in Greek.
  • Arvanites refer to their place of origin as Arvanitia (today southern Albania and NW Greece). Sometimes they apply this term to the whole of Albania and/or Epirus.
  • Arvanites of Epirus named the north wind Arvanitis.
  • Ouzo Plomari, Isidoros Arvanitis, 1894 (Ούζο Πλωμαρίου, Ισιδώρου Αρβανίτου, 1894) (note: Plomari is a town of Lesvos).

Phara

Phara (φάρα) is a descent model, similar to Scottish clans. Arvanites were organised in phares (φάρες) mostly during the reign of the Ottoman Empire. The apex was a warlord and the phara was named after him (i.e. Botsaris' phara). In an Arvanitic village each phara was responsible to keep genealogical records (see also registry offices), that are preserved until today as historical documents in local libraries. Usually there were more than one phares in an Arvanitic village and sometimes they were organised in phratries that had conflict of interests. Those phratries didn't last long, because each leader of a phara desired to be the leader of the phratry and would not be lead by another.

Arvanitic songs

Although they are almost fully assimilated into Greek society, some distinct Arvanitic cultural characteristics are still identifiable.

There are 4 music CDs featuring Arvanitic songs although the lyrics are often in Greek. There are no mass media in Arvanitic, although some local radio stations have occasionally broadcast Arvanitic songs. During the last decades there have been made some attempts to document Arvanitic songs, the most recent by Thanasis Moraitis (Thanas Moraiti).

Arvanitic songs share similarities with Arbëresh, Albanian and Greek Epirote music.

Ancient Greek inscriptions

Two archaeological discoveries, and in particular a Corinthian chrism from the 7th century BC and a clay wine-pitcher dating back to 725 BC, have been interpreted by the author Nikos Stylos as Arvanitic inscriptions.

Studies and books for Arvanites

Kostas Biris

Biris was a folklorist and an architect. His book "Arvanites, the Dorians of modern Hellenism, history of Arvanites Greeks" (1960) is a thorough study on Arvanites and it is the most referenced work by other scholars who studied Arvanites.

Maria Michael-Dede

File:Dede cover.jpg
Arvanitissa with a traditional dress.

Maria Michael-Dede is an author of literature and an ethnologist. She has written two books about Arvanitic songs (1978) and the book The Greeks Arvanites (1997).

Aristeides Kollias (Aristidh Kola)

Kollias, a lawyer by profession, performed ethnologist studies on Arvanites. In his book "Arvanites and the origin of the Greeks" (1983), Kollias promotes the Pelasgian theory that identifies the Pelasgians with the Arvanites. Kollias states that Greek people and Albanian people were closer in the past than they are during the last two centuries and that they both descend from the Pelasgians. His rejection of the Indo-European theory and his theory that Arvanitika is very close (if not identical) to the Homeric Greek have been criticized, however his work on Arvanitic culture is generally accepted.

Thanasis Moraitis (Thanas Moraiti)

Moraitis had worked with Kollias for some time, and he did an extensive search on Arvanitic music. In his book "Arvanitika Songs", he documents about 150 songs, analyzes their musical structure, and also has texts by linguists and historians about Arvanitic history, culture and the Arvanitic language.

Famous Arvanites

File:Kollias cover.jpg
Kollias' book, "Arvanites and the Origin of the Greeks" (1983).

Sample of Arvanitika arvanitika http://www.arvasynel.gr/arvanitikoi_dialogoi.html Eni te tzem Arberiste. Flet fare arbëriste ? Flas shum pak. Ku i dsure ? I dsura në stëpí. Flisnë tata Edhe mëma. Pse núku të dsun më shum ? Pse u dúkei pse ajo gljuha nuk veljen gjifáre. Tsë thua more, gljuha jon vlen shum. Ishtë shumë e vjetërë, ishtë gljuha e Pelasgevet, çë rroin këtu milje vitra më përpara. Gljuha jon íst gljuha éme ne shum gljuh Evropiane franqishtes, aglishtes, italishtes… Po njeh arbëriste tze më njora ato gljuhët

Takimi. Çë bën je mir? Si jam? Shum mir. Ti si je? Edhé u jam shum mir. Si ishte it at? Edhé ai isht shum mir. Thuai të faltura. Gruaja jote si ishtë? Nani edhe ajo, ishtë mir, i shkoi sëmunda çë kéi. Ti thuash të tatë po do të vemi nestrë të presmë dru, të më mar në telefon.

Û, ti, ái, ajó, Ne, neve, ju, juve, atá, ató. Ími, íti, atía, asája, íni, júai, atíre(ve). Të kem, kesh, ket, kemi, kíni, kenë. Të jem, jesh, jet, jeshëm, jeshët, jeshënë. Të keshë, keshe, kish, keshëm, keshëtë, kishnë. Të jeshë, jeshe, ish, jeshëm, jeshët, íshnë. Kam, ke, ka, jam, je, ishtë, është. Kemi, kini, kanë, jemi, jini, janë. Keshë, keshe, kish, jeshë, jeshe, ish Keshëm, keshëtë, kishnë, jeshëm, jeshëtë, ishnë.

See also

References

External links

Bibliography

  • "Arvanites, the Dorians of modern Hellenism, history of Arvanites Greeks" ("Αρβανίτες, οι Δωριείς του νεότερου Ελληνισμού, η ιστορία των Ελλήνων Αρβανιτών"), Konstantinos Biris, 1st edition, 1960
    • (3rd edition, 1998: ISBN 9602040319 )
  • "Arvanites and arvanitic song in Greece", Yannis Gkikas
  • "Arvanites and the origins of the Greeks", Aristeides Kollias, 1983
  • "The Greeks Arvanites", Maria Michael-Dede, 1997
  • "Anthology of Arvanitika songs of Greece", Thanasis Moraitis, 2002, ISBN 9608597676
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