The Laliot Albanians, called “Die Laliotischen Schipetars” or sometimes “muselmännische Albanesen” in German historical documents, were a group of Albanians who fled to the Peloponnese, Arcadia highlands, the Parnon Mountains, and the Lala plateau in the 17th century. The mountainous isolation allowed them to keep their identity for a longer period compared to other Albanian communities, which were hellenized and greekified. They also suffered from Greek atrocities after the Greek War of Independence, also fought by other Albanians.

Low Hellenization

While many Albanians in Greece were Hellenized and violently assimilated, the Laliotic Albanians were less affected by this process. Though they did come into contact with Greek populations, their isolated settlements and their low numbers meant that they could maintain their distinct Albanian culture.

The impact of pirate raids

The region of Laliotic Albanians suffered from pirate raids, more than other areas. This led to a depopulation of the region. This made it an area of opportunity for the Albanians to settle without facing much competition or interference from other groups, unlike in other parts of the Peloponnese where Slavic or Greek populations had already been established.

Religious conversion and Ottoman influence

Like many other Albanian communities in Greece, the Laliotic Albanians converted to Islam in the 17th century, which was part of an Ottoman strategy of control. The conversion, however, did not shield them from the eventual atrocities of the Greek War of Independence (1821–1829), also fought by Albanians, during which many Albanian communities were either expelled or exterminated.

Mercenaries

The influex of Albanian mercenaries during the 18th century, specially after the 1770 Greek uprising, also left a mark on the region. Though their presence was quite different from earlier settlements, some of these mercenaries might have found refuge in the Peloponnese. It is unlikely that they founded new Albanian colonies, as they did not leave a legacy or memory of their migration.

Loss of memory and cultural development

The fact that modern Albanians in the Peloponnese do not remember their origins clearly shows the effect of Greek hellenism and Greekification. The blending of Albanian and Greek identity over centuries, affected by Ottoman and later Greek nationalist pressure, led to the assimilation of the Albanian identity.

Sources

Allgemeine Geschichte der neuesten Zeit von dem Ende des grossen Kampfes der europäischen Mächte wider Napoleon Bonaparte, bis auf unsere Tage Volume 5. Münch. 1834

Zur Ethnographie des Peloponnes (Mit Karte.) Abdruck aus Petermanns Mitteilungen 1890. Heft I und II. Alfred Philippson. 1890