Misplaced Pages

Arvanites

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 211.28.182.244 (talk) at 22:48, 2 June 2005. The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Revision as of 22:48, 2 June 2005 by 211.28.182.244 (talk)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)
Arvanites
File:FArvanites.jpg
Total population: 150,000 (est.)
Significant populations in: Greece: 150,000 (est.)
LanguageArvanitic, Greek
ReligionGreek Orthodox

Arvanites (Greek Αρβανίτες, Arvanítes) are a people originating in central Albania that settled various Greek lands during the Middle Ages. There number is estimated at 150,000.

They are predominantly Greek Orthodox Christians and their language, Arvanitic is related to Tosk Albanian.

File:Arvanite-Sailor.jpg
Arvanite sailor in traditional dress

Arvanites played a prominent role in the Greek War of Independence, both in politics and in the Greek Armed Forces. Prominent individuals include Andréas Miaoúlis, Athanásios Miaoúlis, Andónios Kriezís, Pávlos Koundouriótis, Lázaros Koundouriótis and Theódhoros Pángalos.

Arvanites traditionally live in Central and Southern Greece especially in Continental Greece (Στερεά Ελλάδα, Stereá Elládha), the Peloponnese (Πελοπόννησος, Pelopónnisos) and the adjacent islands.

In recent decades, Arvanites have been emigrating from their villages to the cities and especially to the capital Athens. Sadly, urbanisation has led to the gradual erosion of their Arvanitic tongue, which is the only feature distinguishing them from other Greeks.

See also

External links

Category: