Çelë Shabani was born in Stakaj, Rugova around 1810, when Rugova was struggling through successive wars and battles for life and death. He was born when Rugova began its historical and glorious origins, which today all Albanian lands are proud of. Çelë Shabani is one of the most famous sons of the National Renaissance, who with his heroic deeds, together with the bannerman of Rugova – Sali Jaha, for six decades led Rugova through wars, battles, and assemblies, where the fate of Ethnic Albania was decided. He also fought in the defense of Moraça, Shekullari, Berane, Mokna and Kacuberri. Shabani fell heroically at the Plava bridge during the Battle of Nokshiq in 1879.
Çelë Shabani is one of the representatives of the Albanian League of Prizren in 1878, together with Sali Jaha. This brave and warrior man is among the most famous of his time, who in his youth faced severe wars and battles against the Ottoman and Montenegrin invaders.
Born and raised on the border with Montenegro, or as the people call it, in the mouth of the wolf, he grew up and was hardened by wars and battles, from those of Moraça, Shekullari, Berane, Mokna and Kacuberri to the most glorious one – the War of Nokshiq, the cruel war which is closely linked to the name of Çelë Shaban.
The genesis of Rugova’s past begins with the name of Çelë Shaban and Salih Jaha, who from their youth, were placed at the forefront of this region, a region which from that time has not stopped fighting and acting until today.
Çelë Shabani, together with Sali Jaha, Avdi Smajli, Zhujë Selmani, Kadri and Hysen Bajri, Sadri Bardhi, Isuf Mujani, Halil Turku, Demë Isufi, Rexhë Avdînë, Kaje Gala, Fazli and Sali Mula, Rexhë Haxhînë, Mustafa Bajraktari and many other brave men of Rugova, belongs to the first and golden constellation of this region.
Among the most famous wars that distinguished him with his courage and heroism are those of Moraça, Berani and even that of Nokshiq. This is Çelë Shabani, who, together with Sali Jaha and Avdi Smajli, saved Berane from the Montenegrin hordes led by Mark Milani (Marko Miljanov) in 1875.
In addition to the face-to-face heroism that Çelë Shabani showed in this War, after its end, he also entered the church of Berane, in which he also received four communions, which is best shown by our rhapsody through the historical Epic, where Çelë Shabani is among the most famous names of this time. Here is how the rhapsody presents this war:
“Lord, who will enter the church first?
Three mountaineers of Çelë Shabani
Çelë Shabani with three mountaineers
They took four of the communion
They left two in Peja and one in Gjakova
The best one for the King in Istanbul The best one they gave to the King These are the kumons of Zeku
They took the sons of Mymleqet
They left a great one for themselves.”
This means that Çelë Shabani entered the church of Berane and took four communion hosts. In Albanian epic and folk tradition, this act is often symbolic rather than strictly religious, emphasizing bravery, defiance, or an extraordinary deed (for example, a Muslim hero entering a church after battle), rather than participation in a Christian sacrament.
It is the war of Nokshiq that best shows us the heroism and courage of Çelë Shabani, without whom this war cannot be recorded or even remembered, a war led by its heroic commanders Jakup Feri and Çelë Shabani.
In this war, in addition to Çelë Shabani, who is one of the main commanders of this army known as the “White Army”, among the most distinguished fighters we also have Kadri Bajri who is the deputy commander of Jakup Feri, then in the field of battle we distinguish Demë Isufi and Rexhë Avdia as well as the heroine of this war Kaje Shabanja-Gala. In the military headquarters of this war we also have Rugova’s bannerman, along with Çelë Shabani’s closest fighter – Sali Jaha, who although advanced in age gave a great contribution together with his fighters.
Çelë Shabani, during the cruel war of Nokshiq, gave his life, who fell heroically on the field of honor together with Jakup Feri and many other brave men. According to oral data, Çelë Shabani died on 21.01.1880, at the Plavë bridge. Next to Çelë Shabani, three more headless Montenegron bodies were found, which suggests that Çelë Shabani had cut them down before falling. Çelë Shabani was buried there with the highest military honors of his time.
Excerpt from the book “General Çelë Shabani” RUGOVO. Authors: General ÇELË ÇELAJ’s grandson.
Balkan Academia 