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| Total population: | 140,000-1,600,000 (est.) |
| Significant populations in: | Greece: 140,000-1,600,000 (est.) |
| Language | Arvanitic, Greek |
| Religion | Eastern Orthodox |
| Related ethnic groups |
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Arvanites (Αρbε̰ρόρ, Arbërór or Σ̈κ̇ιπτάρ, Shqiptár in Arvanitic, Arvanitë in Albanian, Αρβανίτες, Arvanítes in Greek) are a people originating in central Albania that settled various Greek lands during the Middle Ages. There number is estimated at anywhere from 140,000 to 1,600,000.
They are predominantly Eastern Orthodox and their language, Arvanitic is a form of Southern Albanian. They have gradually developed a Greek consciousness and are almost fully assimilated into Greek society. Nevertheless, some of their distinct cultural characteristics are still traceable. There are music CDs featuring Arvanitic songs although the lyrics are often in Greek.
Arvanites played a prominent role in the Greek War of Independence, both in politics and in the Greek Armed Forces. Prominent individuals include Andréas Miaúlis, Athanásios Miaúlis, Andónios Kriézis, Pávlos Kunduriótis, Lázaros Kunduriótis, Theódhoros Pángalos and Thoédhoros Kolokotrónis.
Arvanites traditionally live 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 cities 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 1800's, before becoming the Greek state's capital.