In 1890, the paper “Novi Vreme”, published in the “Small newspaper”, dated, 1890-07-25, wrote of a conflict between the Albanian higlanders of Rugova and the tribesmen of Shekular (Šekular) over the undefined border. Three years earlier there had been no border etablished between the tribes as the Rugova locals would not allow it. This was most likely due to the shepherd lifestyle where sheep would sometimes need to graze in neighbouring territories. The tribesmen of Šekular then provoked the Rugova highlanders by invading the territory. This led to war where dozens of Rugova highlanders being killed.

Cited:

“FROM THE SERBIAN WORLD — The last conflict. About the last conflict on the Montenegrin-Turkish border they write in “Novi Vreme”:

The conflict took place between the Montenegrin tribe of the Šekularci and the Albanian tribe of the Rugovars, and the cause was this. Three years ago there was still no fortified border between them, because the Rugovars did not allow it to be marked.

Then the Šekularci rose up and took possession of the territory. They took this by fighting, in which the Rugovars were killed. But only then was the opportunity given for a mixed Turkish-Montenegrin commission to come and determine the border. Now the Rugovars thought of retaking the land allotted to the Šekularci, and they took it.

The Šekularci came out to drive them away, and a fierce gunfight broke out, in which two Rugovars were killed and two Šekularci were wounded. wounded, including one girl who was carrying food for her family. The Rugovacs retreated; but the next day they gathered with a larger force.

Then the Šekularcs went to the fort and gathered two local battalions, and in the meantime they were reported to Cetinje. “When the Rugovacs saw such a force, they retreated; but at the same time the Arnauts began to gather from all over the surrounding area and threaten even Montenegro. The matter was concluded with these threats: even if the Turkish government refrained from attacking the Montenegrin towns the Montenegrins would never invade Turkish territory.”