Author: Shefqet (Sfeqëla) Mehmeti. Translation: Petrit Latifi

In the history of the Albanian nation, many names have been unjustly erased from the institutional memory, but have remained alive in the popular memory. One of these is Shaqir Igrishta, a legendary fighter from the Toplica region, who honorably represents the type of Kachak – guerilla fighter who fought on two fronts: against the Serbian and Ottoman invaders.

His life and work are woven into popular songs, immortalized by rhapsodes and described by European Albanologists such as Maximilian Lambertz, who in 1917 published the book “Volkspoesie der Albaner”, which included the song dedicated to this brave man from Llap.

From Toplica to Llap – the journey of a patriot

Shaqir Igrishta was originally from the village of Igrishte i Toplica (Sanxhak i Nishit), an Albanian settlement that was involved in the wave of ethnic cleansing of 1877-1878. Like many other Albanian families, his family was forcibly displaced by Serbian forces and settled in the village of Vija te Llausha, in the heart of Drenica. This displacement did not weaken his will to resist; on the contrary, it galvanized the national consciousness to continue the struggle for the protection of ethnic lands.

The warrior of two wars

Since 1878, Shaqir Igrishta participated in the Albanian uprisings against the divisive policies of the Great Powers and the unjust decisions of the Congress of Berlin. He was an active part in the organization and mobilization of the popular forces for the defense of Plava and Gucia in 1880, as well as in the resistance against the establishment of the joint Serbian-Ottoman border in Merdare-Përpellac, which separated Llap from Sanxhak i Nish – the trunk from which it itself flowed.

Shaqiri was not just a fighter; he was a guerrilla strategist operating in the areas of Llap, Kurshumli and Pristina, leading small units that hit military posts, emptied watchtowers and challenged both empires simultaneously. His war was not motivated by profits, but the freedom of the homeland and the honor of the Albanian people.

A song that survived the invasions

The life and heroism of Shaqir Igrishta was preserved in the popular memory through the epic song, which was transmitted from generation to generation, until it was recorded by Ibish and Mehmet Broja and then by the researcher Maximilian Lambertz. His song describes the brave’s determination not to surrender, the decision to face death like a man, and the ability to coolly face the enemy’s sieges. Even before starting the battle, Shaqiri calmly drank his coffee, put cookies in the fireplace and prepared for the fight with an inner peace that belongs only to heroes.

Sacred heritage and institutional oblivionThe Bajrak of Gashë, with whom he collaborated in the defense of Plava and Gucia, is another part of this glorious history. After returning from the front, Hysen Havolli (Kazali) brought to Llapashtica the spear of the battle flag, which was fanatically kept until 1999, when it was burned by Serbian bombs during the last war.

This past should not be forgotten. Names like Shaqir Igrishta deserve to be mentioned in school textbooks, to be mentioned in military academies and to be honored with memorials in Merdare and in Pristina, where he fought and where his traces are still on the land of the nation.

Conclusion

Shaqir Igrishta is a symbol of Albanian masculinity, uncompromising endurance and national dignity. He is the voice of our historical consciousness that calls for justice and common memory. Honoring him is not only a symbolic act, but a moral duty of every Albanian who feels history as part of his soul.

Part two: Who was Shaqir Igrishta?

Shaqir Igrishta was a legendary Albanian warrior, born in the village of Igrishte in Toplica (Sanxhak of Nishit), forcibly expelled from his lands due to Serbian and Ottoman aggression. He settled as a migrant in the village of Vija in Llausha of Drenica and became a symbol of the Albanian resistance at the end of the century. XIX and beginning of century. XX. He is among the few who fought simultaneously against two occupiers: the Ottomans and the Serbs.

Historical contribution and warrior

He took part in the Albanian wars after the Congress of Berlin (1878) until the General Albanian Uprising (1911-1912).

He fought for the defense of Plava and Gucia in 1880, together with the forces of the Albanian League of Prizren.

The Serbian-Ottoman border checkpoints in Merdare-Përpellac and further towards Kurshumli were the arena of his battles.

He fought in the villages of Llap, Pristina and Kurshumlia against the Chetniks and the Ottoman zaptis.

Cultural heritage

It is mentioned in the work of the Austrian philologist Maximilian Lambertz, who in 1917 published the book “Volkspoesie der Albaner”, where he included the popular song about Shaqir Igrishte, as an example of Albanian resistance.

In the epic song of the rhapsodists Ibish and Mehmet Broja, he is described as a hero who does not go down without a fight, who drinks the last coffee before the siege, and who kills Chetniks and Zapties with a rifle and in cold blood.

Historical memory

His name is preserved in folklore and in the memory of the people of Llapi as a symbol of pride and endurance.

The spear of the Gash flag flag that participated in the defense of Plava and Gucia was kept in the Havolli family of Llapashtica until 1999 when it was burned during the war in Kosovo.

His figure needs to be honored with a memorial in Merdare and in the center of Pristina, as one of the greatest figures of the Albanian guerrilla before independence.