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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 1,400,000 to 4,600,000 (without taking in consideration the 600,000 Albanians that recently came).
They are predominantly Orthodox(except the Chams who were killed and were expelled from Greece) and their language, Arvanitic is a form of Southern Albanian. They have been brutally assimilated since they gave independence to greece in 1821 with the prominent leader Marko Bocari (hellenized name Botzaris, who was later killed by a greek). Nevertheless, some of their distinct cultural characteristics are still traceable. There are music CDs featuring Arvanitic songs although the lyrics are often in an interesting mixed Albanian - Greek language.
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.
Their latest intellectual was Aristides P. Kollias who wrote about the origins of the god names and the greeks as well. He was killed in 2000 by the greek government.