Summary

The article “Vendbanimet e Kosovës – Burimi” provides a historical and demographic overview of various settlements in Kosovo. It draws on archival records, such as Ottoman defters and late 19th-century reports, to trace how these villages evolved over time. The text highlights the presence of ancient cultural layers, church ruins, and archaeological traces indicating early habitation. It also documents changes in population composition through periods of colonization, war, and conflict, including the impacts of 20th-century world wars and the Kosovo War, noting cycles of settlement, displacement, and demographic shift.

Albanian and Illyrian-Dardanian toponyms, onomastics and Pre-Slavic heritage of Burim (Istog) according to Dr. Jusuf Osmani’s 2004 study

In 2004, Dr. Jusuf Osmani, then director of the Kosovo Archives, conducted a study on the Istog (Burimi) Municipality and its settlements. From this study, we will provide the basic data for all the hamlets of this municipality, listed alphabetically. Osmani gave the names of the hamlets in Albanian, for those names that a non-governmental commission had proposed immediately after the war. In addition to the Albanian names, Osmani also gave the Slavic names of these settlements. What are the qualities of the hamlets of the Istog (today Burim) Municipality, according to this author:

1. ARBANA (ORROBËRDA)

It lies 12-13 kilometers west of Istog.

Area: 888 ha, 49 ares, 20 m.

Neighborhoods: Muzlijaj, Avdijaj, Maksutaj, Mulaj, Turkaj, Miranaj, Zogaj, Hoxhaj, Pacaj, Hakaj, etc.

The most characteristic micro-toponyms: Harkandoll (neighborhood), Zhigu i Hafizit, Lugu i Mllakisë, Prroni i Keq, Fanxhe, Varri i Malsorit, Bregu i Kishës, Balta e Thive, Livadhi i Zekës, Liqeni i Sylëzeqirit, Ledinat, Qenxha, Drenova, Gjyzel, Bunari i Kaurrit, Gurbuti, Kroni i Sahitit, Lugishta, Dubovci, Kroni i Dydeshit, Prroni i Shevarit, etc. The ancient locality lies between the neighborhoods of Avdijaj, Maksutaj and Harkangoll.

Ancient cemeteries also exist between the neighborhoods of Pacaj and Miranaj. Arbana is also mentioned in ancient documents under the name Butin Brek, dependent on Peja, registered in the cadastral register of the Sandzhak of Shkodra in 1485, with 20 houses, two singles, and two widows. It is also mentioned in 1543 in the treasury documents of the Patriarchate of Peja.

Under the name Iznobërda it was registered in the annals of the Vilayet of Kosovo in 1893 (1311 ha). In 1919 the Serbian and Montenegrin gendarmerie burned down several towers and killed several people. Seven families of Kacaks were moved to Albania between 1924-1934. During this period, 12 families of Serbian and Montenegrin settlers settled in this village, mainly in the houses and properties of the Kacaks.

The Uskokovićs, Boškovićs, Popovićs, Vlahovićs, 4 houses, were settled on the land of Bardh Isufi, the Uskokovićs also on the land of Ramë Beka, the Boškovićs and Vlahovićs also on the land of Ali Shabani and Hysen Murat, etc. The farmer brought 2 families to the Muzlijaj neighborhood, in the house of Zeke Hajdini and the other in the house of Rrustem Ali.

The Jeleniqs settled in the Muzlijaj neighborhood. The Milosavljevics, Obradovics, Jovanovics, Mitrovics, etc. settled in the Pacs. The settlers left in 1941, but returned in 1946. Later they began to sell their properties and the last colonist stayed until 1991. In 1942 Orroberda was renamed Pranvere, now Arbana.

In 1905 there were 12 Albanian houses, in 1918 there were 30 families with 495 inhabitants, in 1948 there were 67 families with 467 inhabitants, in 1981 there were 105 families with 936 inhabitants (927 Albanians, 2 Montenegrins, 6 Muslims, 1 other). According to the Serbian population census of 1991, there were 8 Muslim inhabitants. The Albanian inhabitants boycotted that census.

Before the Serbian aggression of 1998-99, the village had 120 Albanian houses (not including the Hakaj neighborhood). All Albanian houses were burned and destroyed, except for 5 houses that survived. 14 people were killed from this settlement, of whom 3 were martyrs. The population was expelled from the village on March 28, 1999 and took refuge in Rozhajë, then in Albania, some in Tuz and Ulcinj.

Laxha Hakaj administratively belongs to Arbana. The current residents here were settled 150-200 years ago and came from Hakaj and Rugova. In 1938, Sokol Hakaj’s family moved to Izmir, Turkey. In 1999, this locality was burned for the third time, by Montenegrin Serbs.

Before the war, this neighborhood had 35 houses with 350 Albanian residents. All were burned, except for those that were unrepaired. Two people were martyred and one person is missing. The population was displaced to the mountains on April 20, 1999, then to Rozhajë, later to Ulcinj and Shkodra.

2. ARBNESH (Sërbobrani)

It lies a few kilometers south of Istog, on the Peja-Mitrovica highway. Albanians and Serbs still call this locality Sovlak and until the end of World War I, it was a mountain, which the Serbian colonists called the village. This Serbian colony was formed in 1925 and 30 families of Montenegrin settlers from Montenegro and Serbs from Serbia and Vojvodina settled there.

It took the name Serbobran after colonization, according to a similar name from Serbobran of Backa in Vojvodina. The government had then formed similar colonies along this highway, to protect these settlers from this road and the movement of Serbian and Montenegrin forces through Podgur and beyond. Since the 1960s, the settlers began to sell their properties and Albanian families began to settle there, such as the Memiqs from Kërnina, the Mujajs from Albania, the Tahirajs from Kërnina, the Ademajs from Uça, the Kabashes from Gurrakoc, etc.

The Zymeraj family, Ashkali from Kovraga, also settled here. Several Bosniak families have also settled here. In 1948 there were 35 houses with 181 inhabitants, in 1981 there were 55 houses with 333 inhabitants (81 Albanians, 47 Serbs, 135 Montenegrins, 63 Muslims, 7 others). In 1991, the Serbian government registered 25 Serbian inhabitants here, 78 Montenegrins, 13 Muslims, 10 Yugoslavs, 32 Albanians, 7 Roma, and 19 Egyptians. The other Albanian inhabitants boycotted that registration. In 1999 there were 15 Albanian houses, all of which were burned down.

3. BAJA

It lies about 15 kilometers southwest of Istog. It is also known by the people as Baja e Pejës, Baja Ilixha and Ilixha.

The most important microtoponyms are: Gorromeli, Bregu i Ilixhës, Kërshi i Ilixhës, Uji i Thartë, etc. The families are mainly from nearby villages: Sutaj, Mulaj, Hetemaj, Dreshaj, Bacaj, Bicaj, Elshani, etc. An old Dardanian site has been discovered here, in the center of Baja, near the new hotel, called “Tumat e Ilixhës”. Two luxurious tombs of the tribal aristocracy were found here.

The tomb is assumed to be from the 6th century, BC where imports of Greek vases with black figures, Illyrian silver ornaments and two bronze helmets of the Illyrian type were found. They belonged to a family of an Illyrian prince. The finds are monumental, rare and very valuable for the archaeology of Kosovo. The warm and healing water of Baja was also used by the Illyrians and the ancient Romans. Above Bajë are also found the remains of the old castle called Gradisha.

In medieval documents it is mentioned in the Sanjak of Shkodra book under the name Bano, which depended on Peja, from 1485, when 12 houses, 2 singles and 1 widow were registered. In the 18th-19th century, Serbian and Montenegrin families also began to come here. In 1900, there were 30 families in Bajë, of which three were local Albanian families and 27 were Serbian and Montenegrin families.

Here is also the Zagraxha family, who came from Zallci, but who originated from Toplica, near Ivan Kulla. View from Banja In 1936, the pool was built in the form of a barrack and the construction of the directorate building began, with the possibility of healing and several barrack where guests could sleep and stay. At first, the healing water was used by the inhabitants of the surrounding villages, then mostly by the citizens of Peja, and later, citizens from other regions began to come.

In the period between the two world wars, 42 families of Serbian and Montenegrin settlers settled in Baja. In 1930, the Serbian agrarian government gave 71 hectares of property to the then deputy Jero Mališić. The locality of Baja is also rich in marble called Onix, with which beautiful houses have been built. The intensive development of Baja began in 1947. The large influx of Serbs and Montenegrins began at this time, when Muslim families also came, and the largest Albanian families began to settle here after the 1960s.

In 1966, Hotel No. 2 was built, and in 1979-83, the new Hotel “Onix” was built. Now the settlement has expanded greatly. In 1948, Baja had 43 houses with 158 inhabitants. In 1981 there were 228 houses with 1171 inhabitants (614 Albanians, 18 Serbs, 137 Montenegrins, 291 Muslims, 111 others. In 1991 there were 29 Serbs, 151 Montenegrins, 361 Muslims, 2 Yugoslavs, 142 Roma, 63 Egyptians and 1 other.

Albanians boycotted this Serbian census. During the 98-99 war in Baja, 115 houses were destroyed, two people were killed and one person is considered missing. The population was relocated to Montenegro on March 27, 1999.

4. BANJEZA (BANJICA)

It lies about 17 km southwest of the center of Istog, on both sides of the Peja-Gurrakoc road.

Area: 315 ha, 21 ares, 97 m.

Families: Morina, Lutaj, Kastrat, Maksut, Loxha, Leskov, Ukaj, some Bosnian, Ashkali, Montenegrin families, etc.

The most characteristic microtoponyms: Homniku, Dylybregu, Dydeshi, Lugu i Drinit, Muravku, Ara e Spahisë, Livadhi i Spahisë, Osoja, Arat e Gata etc. A Dardanian locality. There are traces of the old locality in it. 18 old graves have been found there. The central grave belongs to the metal age, namely the iron age, while the graves of the upper layer belong to the Middle Ages.

In the vicinity of the Illyrian settlement of the Roman period, bronze rings, arrowheads, bronze hoops, coins, etc. have been found. From the second half of the 4th century to the end of the 6th century, during the rule of the Byzantine Empire, in the central part of Dardania, now Kosovo, many Illyrian-Albanian Christian churches and basilicas were built. This church system exists in many parts of ancient Dardania and now Kosovo. In this village too, there is a plot called “church ruins”. Within the church there are also two tombs covered with vaults.

In written documents it is mentioned in 1458, in the Sanjak of Shkodra, under the name Bana, dependent on Peja and at that time there were 57 houses, 8 singles and 2 widows. This settlement is also registered in the annals of the Vilayet of Kosovo, in 1893 (1311 ha). Between the two world wars, Serbian and Montenegrin settlers began to settle here, 27 families.

After 1960, the settlers began to sell the land and Bosnian families also began to settle here. A Bosnian family had settled here since 1916, coming from the vicinity of Sjenica. In 1905, Banjëza had 20 Albanian houses, in 1921 it had 40 houses with 193 inhabitants, in 1948 it had 58 houses, in 1981 it had 94 houses with 710 inhabitants (555 Albanians, 1 Serb, 42 Montenegrins, 110 Muslims, 2 others).

With the registration of the Serbian government in 1991, which the Albanians boycotted, 108 Muslims and 13 Montenegrin inhabitants were registered. The village on the eve of the 1999 war had 145 houses. The Serbian aggressor burned 15 Albanian houses, four people were killed. The Albanians left the village on April 26 of that year and went towards Montenegro.

5. BEGAJ (Lukafci i Begut)

It lies about 5 km south of Istog. A typical plain settlement.

Area: 479 ha, 94 ares, 30 m

Families: Blakaj, Krasniqi, Rugova, Curri, Visoqa, Shabanaj, Berisha, Gërguri, Mehaj, Goruzhda, Zhabolli, Llumnica, etc., then Bosnian, Serbian and Montenegrin families: Terziq, Bajraktarević, Cekić, etc.

The most characteristic microtoponyms: Arat e kronit Baltaku, Rrahu, Prroni i Zhezhnicave, Zallina, Bishti i Magjupit, Ara nër kumlla, Arat te Frashnet, Verrishta, Livadhet e Egra etc. The locality was swampy land, no one lived there and it was a ciflik of Osman Beg and hence it bears the attribute Beg.

As a settlement it was founded 200 years ago and the first inhabitants were Blakaj, who came from Isniq of Decani. After the expulsion of Albanians from the Sanjak of Niš during the wars of 1877-78, these families of emigrants settled here: Gërgurët, Bërbatofci, Kutllovci etc. Two Kutllofci families went to Albania in 1930. As a settlement with this name it is registered in the annals of the Vilayet of Kosovo, in 1893, with 1311 ha.

Between the two world wars, 8 families of settlers settled here, mainly Montenegrins. The Bosniaks settled during the years 1959-1965 and came from the surroundings of Sjenica and Bjelopole. Some families of the Visoqs, Mehajs, Blakajs, Rugovs, moved to Belgium. In 1871 there were 12 houses and it was registered under the name Llukafci i Osman Begut. In 1921 there were 77 houses with 651 inhabitants, in 1948 there were 121 houses with 881 inhabitants.

With the 1981 census there were 144 houses with 1181 inhabitants (970 Albanians, 86 Serbs, 32 Montenegrins, 8 Turks, 79 Muslims, 6 others). In the population census, boycotted by Albanians and imposed by the Serbian government in 1991, 97 Serbs, 19 Montenegrins, 99 Muslims, 17 Albanians and 31 Roma were registered. In 1999, the Serbs destroyed 53 Albanian houses. The Albanian population left the village during the war on March 29, heading towards Rozhaja and Albania. Three people were killed in this locality, one of whom was a martyr.

6. BELICA

It lies about 13 km southeast of Istog. It is a hilly-mountainous settlement. It consists of the part of the village beyond where the Serbs lived and behind the hill further east, in the direction of Drenica, lies the Mirusha neighborhood, which is quite far from the center of the village, with an Albanian population.

Area: 1045 ha, 20 ares, 78 m.

Families, mainly Serbian. In the Mirusha neighborhood live the Halitaj and Mulaj families. In this neighborhood are also these toponyms: Kryqet e Belica, Ara e Madhe, etc.

In the Shkodra Sandžak register in 1582 it was registered under the name Belica, with 15 houses, two bachelors and five hamlets. Several Serbian families came here from Kolashin i Ibri between the two world wars. According to M. Obradović, 42 settler families were settled in this locality at that time. Around 1905 there were 13 houses (12 Serbs and one Albanian), in 1918 there were 228 inhabitants (18 Albanian families and only 2 Serbian families).

Serbian families, when the Serbian power fell, always fled this settlement. In 1961 Belica had 72 houses with 529 inhabitants (72 Albanians, 435 Serbs, 7 Montenegrins, 15 others). In 1981 there were 81 houses with 565 inhabitants, of whom 120 Albanians, 417 Serbs, 10 Montenegrins, 17 Muslims, 1 other. In 1991, 339 Serbs were registered. In 2002, the Mirusha neighborhood had 11 Albanian houses with about 130 inhabitants.

After the war, the Serbian inhabitants fled again to their former settlements in Serbia. Albanian houses were burned, and after the war, in revenge, the Albanians burned Serbian houses. In the historical memory of the Albanian people, Belica is also known for the war that the popular hero, Nak Berisha and his platoon, then Kamber Loshi, and Hysen Shalaku, much later, at the end of the 1960s, fought against the Serbs.

7. BELLOPOJA

It lies seven to eight kilometers southeast of Istog. It is a plain settlement.

Area: 444 ha, 25 ares, 89 m.

Families: Aliu, and until 1999, several Serbian and Montenegrin families. Many Albanian families lived in this settlement until the Serbian-Montenegrin invasions in 1912. According to a study, many Serbian families settled here as early as the 18th and 19th centuries.

The most characteristic microtoponyms: Batallaku, Drenjani, Drumina, Imerovica, (field), Joshe, Orrnica, Pamuka, Qesta etc. In the locality of this village, called Joshe, there are traces of some old cemeteries in which there are some slabs with crosses for which the locals think that a church existed here in Roman times.

In old documents it is mentioned in the charter of King Uroshi I, issued between the years 1254 and 1264, then it is also mentioned in the cristobull of King Dushan of the year 1348. Later we have not come across any mention in the Ottoman defter, perhaps it had no population, or it was registered as a settlement with some other name. With the name Bellopojë – Podgur, it was registered in the annals of the Vilayet of Kosovo in 1893 (1311 ha).

According to one source, Bellopoja was a fairly large Albanian settlement at the end of the 19th century and had 30 houses, including eight towers and 800 heads of cattle. While according to another source, in 1905 there were 50 houses, 30 of them Albanian houses, and the rest Serbian. In 1918, immediately after the First World War and the return of the Serbian army as the reoccupier of Kosovo, 202 inhabitants were registered in Tahir Beg’s Bellopoja (13 Albanian families with 140 members and 17 Serbian families with 62 members).

This settlement suffered greatly during the Serbian occupation. Thus, on March 3, 1920, the Serbian invaders tied up a total of 22 people and left them in the forest at night, where they slaughtered them all with bayonets. Then part of the village was burned. According to the informant, the strongest and richest families were killed and burned: that of Mustafa Kajtazi and that of Halit Osmani. The men were killed, their families were interned in Nish and their property was plundered. Such families later moved to Albania.

Due to this pressure after 1912, 3 families with more than 60 members moved to Turkey, while the following families moved to Albania: Kajtazi, Nuhi, Osmani, and many others, while some families settled in Gashaj (Lower Shushica), as did the family of Ramadan H. Aliu in 1969. From 1929-31, the government settled 14 families of Slavic settlers with 59 members in Bellopoja.

Statistical notes: In 1921, Bellopoja had 22 houses with 187 inhabitants, in 1948 there were 31 houses with 175 inhabitants, in 1981 there were 46 houses with 283 inhabitants, of whom 69 were Albanians, 197 Serbs, 2 Montenegrins, 13 Muslims, 2 others. According to the Serbian census in 1991, there were 140 Serbs, 2 Montenegrins, and 1 Egyptian. Albanian houses were destroyed during the war, and after it, Serb houses were also destroyed in retaliation.

8. ISTOG (Burimi in Albanian)

It stretches along the Mokna mountain, in the northern part of the Dukagjini Plain, otherwise called PODGUR. It has developed on the main road that connects Peja with Mitrovica. The town is divided into two larger units, Istog i Madh and Istog i Vogël. It is worth saying that the name Istog by Albanian linguists is considered to be a toponym of old Albanian origin, and is by no means a name with an Old Slavic source, as some have considered.

Area: 3037 ha, 11 ares, 84 m.

Neighborhoods: Istog i Madh – Verrishta, Llullakët, City Center, and Lugu i Shkive. Istog i Vogël: Blakaj, Bytyçët, Bajramaj, Gusturanët, Bujupët, Grabi (Shkoza) and Dushkaja. Oldest families: Latifaj, Jahaj (Ramëhysenë), Gusturanët, (Krasniqët), Blakaj, Bytyçët, Bajramët, Bujupët, Demiraj, Verbiqët, Ademaj, Jakupët, Goranët, Kelmendët. Newly arrived families: Nimanaj, Alushaj, Haxhijaj, Loshaj, and many others, especially after the war.

The most characteristic microtoponyms: Prroni i Caushi, Lugu i Plepave, Lugu i Kojzaqës, Lugu i Marku, Livadhet e Istog, Livadhet e Strellci, Livadhet e Synesë, Kershi i Vneshtës, Kershi i Epërm, Kershi i Samari, Kërshi i Sokol, Kërshi i Burimi, Kershi i Ravni, Kodra e Koronës, Ledina e Gjenovaqës, Bira e Arushës, Livadhet e Zhegina, Quka e Madhe, Quka e Vogël, Livadhi i Avdylit, Selillat, etc.

View of Istog Istog is very well known for its natural beauty, with fertile fields that lie mainly along the banks of the Istog River. The source of this Kars river is very rich in fresh water. Ancient traces of the settlement date back to ancient times, perhaps even earlier. Bronze teeth have also been found in Istog. In Golina, traces of the ancient road are still visible today, believed to be from the Illyrian-Roman era.

So, all history shows that this settlement is an old Illyrian-Dardan settlement. As a settlement, Istog was first mentioned in written documents in 1314, during the time of Stefan Decani. This document mentions the road leading from Istog to Bellopoja. Then it is mentioned in the charter of King Dushan of the monastery of Saints Michael and Gabriel near Prizren in 1348.

It is mentioned under the name Istranmeshi in 1485, in the cadastral register of the Sandzak of Shkodra, when there were 10 houses, and 8 singles. Later it is mentioned in the register of the Deviq Monastery, in 1761. According to the informant, in the Lugu neighborhood, local Serbs (schismatics) lived. At one time they spoke the Albanian language, wore Turkish clothes, did not keep pigs, and lived in the characteristic towers of the Albanian tradition.

During the Ottoman rule, in Istog it is characteristic that the first industry of water mills and valanicas was developed and that at that time it was known as a regional center of a small economic development. It is also registered as a settlement on an Austrian map from 1689. It is registered under the name Istog in the annals of the Vilayet of Shkodra, from 193, with 1311 ha.

With the decree-law of 1924, Istog was declared a town. In addition to an economic function, Istog then also took on an administrative function. Due to the Serbian and Montenegrin state violence, from the invasion in 1912 until the end of the 1960s, many Albanian families were forced to abandon the country and emigrate, such as the Blakaj, Bujupaj, Verbiqët, Sadikaj, Gusturanët, Sylajt, Goranët, Bajramajt, etc. Most of these families have moved to Turkey and Albania, and one Blakaj family also to America.

From the Serbian occupation in 1912 until 1947, Istog was the center of the District, with its headquarters in Gurrakoc, and in 1955 the center of the District joined the District of Peja. When Istog was a District, the local communities also belonged to it administratively, then the municipalities: Radafci, Ozrim, Zllakuqani and Shtupeli with the villages around them.

After the abolition of the districts in the late 1950s, Gurrakoc and Istog were united into a municipality with its center in Istog, Radafci joined Peja, Zllakuqani and Shtupeli with the formation of the Municipality of Klina, belonged to the latter. We are mentioning that the newspaper “Kosova” of Constanta in Romania, regarding the Serbian atrocities in Istog, during the years 1932-1933, wrote: “… on February 15, 1920, it was the turn of the small town of Istog, which is the center of the sub-prefecture of that district.

On the aforementioned date, the Serbian-Montenegrin armies, with the help of the few local Serbs, rushed like rabid beasts into the Albanian neighborhoods of the city in question. In the neighborhood of the sub-prefecture center, 98 Albanians – men, women and children – were slaughtered, with the imam Malo Salihu and Sadik Rexha at the forefront.

A total of 52 houses were burned and all the property of the neighborhood worth 50 thousand napoleons was stolen. Only from the house of the murdered Malo Salihu, 1,500 Turkish liras of gold were taken. As elsewhere in Kosovo, in Istog, the Serbian-Montenegrin government brought 15 Montenegrin settler families during the years 1926-1929. According to a Serbian document, it is seen that those who were not involved in agriculture had also received land, such as Kosta Petrovic, an economist, from Kraljevo, who had received 12 hectares of land.

His house was in Serbobran. On December 29, 1978, Istog was declared a city. As for the inhabitants, in 1838, according to J. Muller, Istog had 10 houses with 55 Greek and Slavic inhabitants, and the number of Albanians is not given, but there were many Albanians. In 1905, 60 Albanian houses and 15 Serbian houses were registered. The Serbian-Croatian-Slovenian Kingdom, with the census of the population of Istog, 1921, gave the following records: then, Istog i Madh had 60 houses with 418 inhabitants and Istog i Vogël 52 houses with 490 inhabitants.

In 1948, Istog had 335 houses with 2074 inhabitants. In 1981, Istog had 804 houses with 4478 inhabitants (2044 Albanians, 1318 Serbs, 194 Montenegrins, 153 Muslims, 409 others). According to the Serbian census of 1991, 1191 Serbs, 211 Montenegrins, 31 Muslims, 3 Croats, 10 Yugoslavs, 51 Albanians, 576 Roma, 21 Egyptians, and 7 others were registered in Istog.

According to the records of the KM DLNJ, during the 1999 war in Istog i Madh two people were killed and two disappeared, burned and destroyed. 692 houses, two schools and the city mosque, while 118 houses were destroyed in Istog i Vogel. During the war, the entire population was expelled towards Montenegro and further towards Shkodra and Ulcinj. Several hundred residents were held hostage in the Gusturani neighborhood.

After the war, in retaliation, the houses of Serbs and Montenegrins were burned.As for the inhabitants, in 1838, according to J. Muller, Istog had 10 houses with 55 Greek and Slavic inhabitants, and the number of Albanians is not given, but there were many Albanians. In 1905, 60 Albanian houses and 15 Serbian houses were registered. The Serbian-Croatian-Slovenian Kingdom, with the census of the population of Istog, in 1921, gave the following records: then Istog i Madh had 60 houses with 418 inhabitants and Istog i Vogël 52 houses with 490 inhabitants.

In 1948 Istog had 335 houses with 2074 inhabitants. In 1981 Istog had 804 houses with 4478 inhabitants (2044 Albanians, 1318 Serbs, 194 Montenegrins, 153 Muslims and 409 others). According to the Serbian census of 1991, 1,191 Serbs, 211 Montenegrins, 31 Muslims, 3 Croats, 10 Yugoslavs, 51 Albanians, 576 Roma, 21 Egyptians, and 7 others were registered in Istog.

According to the records of the KM DLNJ, during the 1999 war in Istog i Madh two people were killed and two disappeared, 692 houses, two schools and the city mosque were burned and destroyed, while in Istog i Vogel 118 houses were destroyed.

During the war, the entire population was expelled towards Montenegro and further towards Shkodra and Ulcinj. Several hundred residents were held hostage in the Gusturani neighborhood. After the war, in retaliation, the houses of Serbs and Montenegrins were burnedAs for the inhabitants, in 1838, according to J. Muller, Istog had 10 houses with 55 Greek and Slavic inhabitants, and the number of Albanians is not given, but there were many Albanians.

In 1905, 60 Albanian houses and 15 Serbian houses were registered. The Serbian-Croatian-Slovenian Kingdom, with the census of the population of Istog, in 1921, gave the following records: then Istog i Madh had 60 houses with 418 inhabitants and Istog i Vogël 52 houses with 490 inhabitants. In 1948 Istog had 335 houses with 2074 inhabitants. In 1981 Istog had 804 houses with 4478 inhabitants (2044 Albanians, 1318 Serbs, 194 Montenegrins, 153 Muslims and 409 others).

According to the Serbian census of 1991, 1,191 Serbs, 211 Montenegrins, 31 Muslims, 3 Croats, 10 Yugoslavs, 51 Albanians, 576 Roma, 21 Egyptians, and 7 others were registered in Istog. According to the records of the KM DLNJ, during the 1999 war in Istog i Madh two people were killed and two disappeared, 692 houses, two schools and the city mosque were burned and destroyed, while in Istog i Vogel 118 houses were destroyed.

During the war, the entire population was expelled towards Montenegro and further towards Shkodra and Ulcinj. Several hundred residents were held hostage in the Gusturani neighborhood. After the war, in retaliation, the houses of Serbs and Montenegrins were burned

9. LOWER ISTOG

The village is located in a lowland, about 1 km from the center of Istog, and is thus considered a suburb of the city.

Families: Kurtaj, Sylaj, Llapi, Bajra, Hulaj, Ademaj, Alihajdari, Dekaj, Buleshkaj, Delijaj, Hysenaj, Mehmetukaj, Arifaj.

The most characteristic microtoponyms: Arat e Alihajdarëve, Arat e Sylajve, Rroshel, Ara e Gata, Lluga, Arat te Qoshi, Lenishta, Baltaku, Selishta, Medreza, Prroni i Caushit, Grezda, Krivaca, Janilla, Arat e Malit, Muleci, Te Huli, Bojxhak. In the village, under the road, a large vegsh was found, while in Bojxhak old hay bales were found, which prove that it was an agricultural settlement for a long time.

The oldest families, whose origin is unknown, are: Kurtajt, Sylajt, Llapi. The Serbian families, Cariviqët, are from the Berishë tribe, while the Simiqët are Kabash, according to the informant. They spoke the Albanian language and had the same clothing and customs as Albanians, until 1912.

From this settlement, between the two world wars and until the end of the 1950s, many families, due to Serbian terror, emigrated to Turkey and Albania, such as: the Sylaj families, 2 families, a Hulaj family, a Hysenaj family.

In the summer of 1919, the gangs of the infamous voivode, Milić Kërstić, had gathered dozens of Albanians and killed 64 of them. According to the newspaper “Kosova”, these gangs, on February 15, 1920, killed Hysen Sejdiu along with his five sons, they also killed Keq Bajra, Emin Bajra, Ramiz Selman Llozhani, Murat Kostari and ninety other souls, women, children, old men and women, wrote “Kosova” of Constanta.

According to this newspaper, the tragedy began around 10 am and ended around 1 pm. According to this newspaper, the Serbs killed and looted goods.

Statistical notes: In 1921 there were 88 houses with 527 inhabitants, in 1948, 62 houses with 444 inhabitants, in 1981 there were 195 houses with 1633 inhabitants (1452 Albanians, 130 Serbs, 8 Montenegrins, 46 Muslims, 2 others).

According to the 1991 Serbian census, Istog i Poshtëm had 108 Serb inhabitants, 8 Montenegrins, 46 Muslims, 7 Yugoslavs, and 30 Roma.

In 1999 there were 290 Albanian houses and 13 Serbian and Montenegrin houses. The Serbs burned all the Albanian houses, except for 3-4 houses that were not renovated. After the war, all the Serbian and Montenegrin houses were also destroyed. The bodies of 5 residents from this village were killed and then carbonized, a martyr fell from this village.

10. CIROLEZI

It lies about 10-12 km northeast of Istog, on the mountain ridge. It is a hilly-mountainous settlement, divided into neighborhoods.

Area: 1707 ha, 37 ares, 64 m.

Families: Sadrijaj, Balaj, Mahmutaj, Jasharaj, Ymeraj and Serbian families: Bellošević, Tijanić, Vućić, Radunović, Gajić, Stanić.

The most characteristic microtoponyms: Katunishta, Prilep, Kroni i Lipës, Delle, Gradina, at Gropa e Uçalive, Lipa, at Kroni i Vërbica, Rubniku, Mella, Vërbica, Samari, Boronjaku, Kurilla, Kroni i Shtavanit, Shtavani, Kurilla e Vogël, Fusha e Druve, Kërshi i Gradinës, Kërshina, Kape, Shpella e Klysuras, Shpella e Gradinës, Shpella e Oshlakut, Livadhet te Hani, etc.

There are many old traces in the locality of this settlement. Between Cerkolez and Syrigana (Suhogërlla), in the place Arat e Xhenazës, there are traces of the foundations of old houses, in the place Livadhet te Hani, south of the Sadrijaj and Balaj neighborhood, there are remains of construction material, bricks and stones of old foundations, in the place Te Brodi, south of the village, in the direction of Pemišta (Padalishta), near the Imeraj neighborhood, there were the lands of Kelovite.

In the mountainous locality of this settlement, in the places Lipë and Vërbica, there are Gradinat, which, it seems, based on microtoponyms, were a kind of fortress, where even today there are stone traces. Even the place called Katunishte, on Mount Oshlak, can be assumed to have been an old settlement.

In old documents it is mentioned in the charter of Princess Milica, in 1395, as a gift of the Holy Monastery. In the Ottoman cadastral register of the Sandzak of Shkodra it is mentioned in 1485, under the name Cërkolaz, in Kazanë e Pejës, where 40 houses, 6 single people, and 1 widow were registered.

It is registered under the name Zrkolez on an Austrian map compiled in 1689. It is also mentioned in the register of the Deviq Monastery from 1766-1779.

There was a noticeable population movement in this settlement. The Serbian and Montenegrin population came from Serbia and Montenegro, some families having arrived much earlier and some in the 18th-19th centuries.

Statistical notes: in 1871 there were 30 houses, in 1905 there were 16 Serbian houses and 4 Albanian houses. In 1921 there were 35 houses, with 339 inhabitants. In 1948 there were 69 houses with 503 inhabitants. In 1981 there were 90 houses, 630 inhabitants (303 Albanians, 326 Serbs, 1 Montenegrin).

According to the Serbian population census of 1991, there were 194 Serbs and 1 Montenegrin in this settlement. In 1998 the village had 55 Albanian houses with about 20 Serbian houses. More than half of the Albanian houses were burned down and later some Serbian houses were also destroyed, in the Tijaniq and Radunovic neighborhoods. The Albanian population was expelled from the village during the war.

11. CERCA

It lies 1-2 km west of Istog, at the foot of the Mokna Mountains. It is a plain settlement, of the clustered type, elongated east-west.

Area: 1470 ha, 36 ares, 03 m.

Neighborhoods: Rexhaj, Haskaj, Rugova, Hasanaj, Maxharraj, Blakaj, Kaliqani, Bujupaj, etc. The oldest families of this settlement are: Haskaj, Hasanaj, Rexhaj, Kaliqani, Blakaj, while the Rugova family settled here at the beginning of the 20th century.

The most characteristic microtoponyms: White Gurrat, Sorodoli, Golaku, Gropat e Kacakëve, Corrovoda, Kroni i Morrave, Drushtimi (the head of the mocem), Lugu i Zajmit, Bajshe, Kashkavalli, Kralica, Direkët e Kullave, Bira e Hutit, Shpella e Golaku, Shpella Binake, Guri i Kuq, Lluga, Therraku, Koroniqet, Golina, Karamuqolle, Kisha e Drushtimit, Rosuja, Maja e Cerës (2115 m high, the highest peak of the Istog mountains).

In the locality of Livadhet e Buta, it is said that there was a church. A small excavation is observed in the locality itself. While on the surface there are fragments of tiles and bricks, stones worked with white horasan. Fifty meters below, when the water channels were opened, cemeteries were found.

In the place of Golina, above Kërshi e Kuq, traces of the old road paved with smooth stones can still be seen today, which in all likelihood is an old Illyrian-Roman road, alongside the old Egnatia road, which passed from the Adriatic coast, through the northern part of Montenegro, towards Plevla, through Rožaje and Kulla, over Cerrcë and continued towards Mitrovica, Podujeva and up to old Naisusin (Niš).

In Cerrcë, traces of an old church called the Church of Drushtimit are still visible today. The population was Christian, later accepting the Muslim faith. Near the foundations of the church are two very old manas, now under state protection, which symbolize the altar of the old Christian church. There are also traces of old cemeteries here.

In written documents, it is mentioned in 1348 in the charter of King Dushan and the Monastery of the Holy Martyrs, Gabriel and Mihajl, near Prizren, in the Ottoman cadastral register of the Sandzak of Shkodra, with the name Qerniqa (it should be with another q) and is registered as a settlement in 1485, with 16 houses, 2 singles, and 1 widow. This settlement is also registered on an Austrian map of 1689.

In the appendix to the report of Archbishop Pjetër Karagić from 1725, it is written that in the city of Peja, the missionary apostle is Don Ndre Bracani, to whose mission belongs the village of GERZA with 4 houses and 4 members of the Christian faith. It is registered under the name Qernica in the annals of the Vilayet of Kosovo from 1893 (1311 ha).

According to J. Muller, in 1838 there were 5 houses with 25 Albanian inhabitants, he says Turks.

This village, after the Serbian and Montenegrin invasions of 1912, suffered greatly. In 1912, the Serbs and Montenegrins killed 25 villagers, burned down three houses. In this village, in 1938, the brave Selman Kadrija killed the infamous Serbian voivode, Milić Kërstić, a great oppressor of the Albanian people.

Two Serbian families, Pantic, who came from the Sekullar region of Montenegro, had settled in various villages of the Istog Municipality since 1760, but after 1912, they settled in Cerrcë.

In 1925, a family with 10 members and in 1930, a family with 8 members moved to Albania, while in 1929, a family moved to Turkey.

Statistical notes: around 1905 there were 35 Albanian houses, in 1921 there were 46 houses with 410 inhabitants, in 1948 there were 81 houses, with 632 inhabitants, in 1981 there were 180 houses (with 1410 inhabitants (1382 Albanians, 23 Serbs, 3 others).

According to the 1991 Serbian census, 19 Serb residents, 1 Montenegrin, and 50 Roma were registered.

In 1999 there were 262 Albanian houses with 1977 inhabitants, 2 Serbian houses with 20 inhabitants, 10 other houses with 60 inhabitants. 237 houses and other residential buildings were burned by the Serbian aggressor. 13 people aged 37-90 were killed from this village – 8 members of the Rugova family and 5 of the Rexhaj family, Xhafer Haskaj was martyred in the defense of Vrella, on April 12, 1999. On March 27, the entire population of the village was expelled towards Vrella, then the population was withdrawn towards Rozhajë, in Ulcinj and in Albania.

After the war, the village was completely rebuilt and almost all the residents returned to their lands.

Cerrca is the birthplace of the historic president of Kosovo, Dr. Ibrahim Rugova, who was born here on December 2, 1944. Rugova spent his childhood and youth here, while he was in primary school and high school in Peja.

12. DARDHA (ZHAKOVA)

It lies about 13 km east of Istog. It is a settlement divided into neighborhoods, spread over two hills and two valleys.

Area: 1049 ha, 40 ares, 19 m.

Neighborhoods: Upper Mahalla: Brahimaj, Hajrizaj, Lower Mahalla: Idrizaj, Hysenaj, Salihaj, Mehmetaj, Sejdijaj, Stropc Mahalla.

The most characteristic micro-toponyms: Arat e Batriqit, Ara e Rrxume, Osmonica, Ograje, Logjet, Malet e Vogla, Zabeli i Izlamit, Mali në Shpat, Prroni i Zhakovës, Livadhi i Qelun, Prrocka, Livadhi i Shpatit, Mi Shavarina, Livadhi te Vorret, Stropci, Javori, Maja e Madhe, Kosharishta, etc. In the northern part there is a Catholic church and some old cemeteries.

In the fields of Rrafshi, some old tiles, bricks, slates, and coins have been found, which prove that it was once a inhabited place. In written documents it is mentioned in the charter of King Dushan, with which in 1331 he donated this settlement to the monastery of Hilandar. In the cadastral register of the Sandzhak of Shkodra from 1485 it is mentioned under the name Zakova, where 21 houses and 3 singles were registered.

The village was inhabited by Serbian and Albanian populations. Regarding the Serbian population, the Serbian author S. Stijovic wrote: “There are 48 Serbian houses in the village, twenty according to tradition. Their ancestors came from Montenegro, most of them at the end of the 18th century, eight families came here from other villages of Dukagjin and one from Leskovci.

Albanians live in the part called Zhakova e Poshtme”. The name Zhakova is registered in the Sallnamet of the Vilayet of Kosovo of 1893, with an area of ​​1311 ha. In the period between the two world wars, 7 families of Serbian and Montenegrin settlers came here. Most of the settlers stayed here until 1957. Then they moved. One settler family stayed here until 1998.

In the Strofc neighborhood, which is quite far away and in the mountainous part, until the last war, 2 Serbian houses and one Albanian house lived. From the action of the infamous Serbian voivode, Milić Krstić, there around 1920, 3 Albanian residents of this village died from torture. After 1920, 4 families moved to Turkey (Ferizaj, Hajzeraj, Salihaj). Statistical notes: In 1918 there were 260 inhabitants (7 Albanian families with 60 inhabitants and 18 Serbian families with 200 inhabitants).

In 1948 there were 74 houses with 507 inhabitants. In 1981 there were 86 houses with 519 inhabitants (302 Albanians, 214 Serbs, 2 Black Montenegrins, 1 other). According to the Serbian population census in 1991, there were 164 Serbian and 2 Montenegrin inhabitants. In 1999 this village had 73 Albanian houses with 429 inhabitants and 20 Serbian houses with 165 inhabitants.

As a result of the war, all Albanian houses were burned and destroyed, as well as Serbian ones. The Albanian population was deported to Albania and Montenegro.

13. DASAMI (SARADRANI)

It lies about 11 km southwest of Istog. It is a plain settlement located on several small hills, divided into neighborhoods.

Area: 541 ha, 36 ares, 40 m.

Neighborhoods: Berisha, Elshani, Mavraj; Lluga e Poshtme (Thaci, Berisha); Lluga e Epërme (incoming families).

The most important micro-toponyms: Krivaca, Llazina, Derbezhi, Pavada, Preka, Rija, Gurina, Raxhevci, Seishta, etc. Medieval cemeteries have been discovered in this settlement. The report of the archaeological expedition of the Kosovo Museum and the Archaeological Institute of Albania states that a medieval fortification existed in this settlement.

According to informants, between the Berishe neighborhood and Mavraj, there are old cemeteries, whose ownership is unknown. In the Seishta area, during the excavation, bricks and stones of Mocem were found. Fragments of epigraphic monuments have been discovered in this settlement, of which the small fragments of an altar are of particular importance, on which, in some parts, small inscriptions, vojtiv, have been preserved.

In one fragment, the name of the god Mercur(io) can be read as well as the name of the dedicator Ulp(ius), Viat(or). In another fragment, several letters have been preserved, among them the abbreviation BFC in ligature that reads b(ene), f(iciariues), c(onsularis). In written documents, it is mentioned in 1465, in the general cadastral register of the Sandzak of Shkodra, under the name Stara Andovrani and had 12 houses, 2 singles, 1 widow.

In the appendix to the report of Archbishop Pjetër Karagiqi, from Prizren, of 1725, it is written that in the city of Peja, the apostolic missionary is Don Ndre Bracani, to whose mission belongs the village of Ravdanu with 4 houses, and 20 members of the Catholic faith. Under the name Istarodvoran, it is registered in the annals of the Vilayet of Kosovo of 1893, with 1311 ha, area. Serbian massacres in this settlement have never stopped.

According to the newspaper “Kosova” published by Albanian emigrants in Constanta, Romania, Serbian forces here, on 22.5.1922, killed Shaban Hajdari and burned four houses. Only Albanians lived in this settlement. After 1928, colonization with Serbs and Montenegrins began. Then 9 families of settlers settled here. Around 1956, 2 Elshani families, 3 Kabashi and 1 Mavraj families moved to Turkey, and one Elshani family went to Albania.

In 1918, the Serbs burned several towers of great cultural-historical importance. Statistical notes: Around 1905 there were 20 Albanian houses, in 1921 there were 40 houses with 445 inhabitants. In 1948, 91 houses with 706 inhabitants, in 1981 there were 129 houses with 1605 inhabitants (1585 Albanians, 4 Serbs, 16 Montenegrins).

According to the Serbian census of 1991, the village had 3 Serb inhabitants, the Albanians boycotted that census. At the end of 1998, this village had 265 houses, with 2115 Albanian inhabitants and only one Serbian family. In 1999, 84 houses and 22 other buildings were burned and destroyed by the Serbian aggressor. 15 people were killed and massacred, mainly young people, among them two martyrs, while two are missing.

A mass grave with 14 victims was discovered in the Mavraj neighborhood (9 from Saradrani, 2 from Zabljak, 2 from Nabërgjan and 1 from Sverka e Pejës). On May 6-8, 1999, the population was deported to Albania and Montenegro.The school and ambulance were also damaged. This village previously housed more than 70,000 residents from different parts of Kosovo.

14. DRAGOLECI

It lies 2-3 km southeast of Istog. The village consists of two neighborhoods: Dragoleci i Epërm and i Poshtëm. Both neighborhoods are located in the lowlands.

Area: 406 ha, 14 ares, 77 m.

Families: Hysenaj, Kastrati, Kajtazi, Ibrahimaj, Cakutaj, Avdijaj, Ujupaj (Ashkali) and a Serbian family.

The most characteristic micro-toponyms: Rosule, Livadhe të Gata, Grykë të Livadheve, Joshe, Dushkaja, Medreza, Agraxha, Verrishta, Progonet, Jazi i Begut, Kroni i Sasit, etc. The oldest families, according to informants, are: Hysenaj and Cakutaj, the others came later. According to Serbian authors, many Serbian families here since the 18th century have come from Montenegro, from Saint Stephen, 10 houses are unknown where they came from.

It is mentioned in old documents of the charter of the Saints Gabriel and Michael of Prizren from 1348, under the name Dragolevci, with 80 houses, of which 15 are strong. It is mentioned under the name Dragonofc in the annals of the Vilayet of Kosovo from 1893.

Between the two world wars, 7 families of Serbian and Montenegrin settlers were also settled here. Statistical notes: In 1905 there were 15 Serbian and 4 Albanian houses, in 1921 there were 60 houses with 377 inhabitants, in 1948 – 85 houses with 455 inhabitants, in 1981 – 140 houses, with 887 inhabitants (439 Albanians, 406 Serbs, 6 Montenegrins, 1 Muslim, 35 others).

According to the Serbian census of 1991, there were 290 Serbs, 5 Montenegrins, 18 Muslims, 34 Yugoslavs, 7 Roma and 20 Egyptians. In 1999 this settlement had 90 Albanian and Ashkali families and about 50 Serbian and Montenegrin families. All Albanian houses were burned in this settlement, later also Serbian ones. A martyr fell on the altar of freedom. On March 29, the Albanian population was expelled to Montenegro and Albania.

15. DREJA

It lies about 10 km southeast of Istog. It is a plain and hilly settlement.

Area: 130 ha, 25 ares, 41 m.

Neighborhoods – Families: Pukaj, Imeraj, Zeqiraj, Zagraxha, Gashi, Malaj, Raqa, Kapiti, Rraci, Dedaj, Noshaj, Abazaj, Kosovali, Montenegrin and Serbian families have left this settlement.

The most characteristic micro-toponyms: Kujafci (a small river, with a very old name of Albanian origin), Livadhet e Thata, Kodra e Malishganit, Lluga e Vidhit, Trolli i Vjetër, Kroni në Ulicë, Arat te Rrahu, Lluga e Beci, Livadhi i Din Imerit, Kodrat e Kokajve, Bunari i Avdië, etc.

In the place Trolli i Vjetër, there are pieces of bricks, tiles, pieces of metal, which prove that there was an old settlement there. That settlement, apparently, was abandoned by the early inhabitants for a while. It is said that the first families who renewed the settlement were Pukaj and Imeraj, who settled here at the beginning of the 18th century, or around 1800.

In this place around 1878/79, several families of Albanian emigrants expelled from the territories of Kosanica, Toplica, Jabllanica, etc., such as the Raqa, Zagraxha and Kapiti families, settled. Under the name Dren, we find the documents written in the annals of the Vilayet of Kosovo, from 1893. In 1919, the Serbian army burned the village and killed two local residents, six residents of the nearby village of Shalinofc and a friend of the house.

The Kokaj family also suffered in this massacre. In the period between the two world wars, 4 families of Montenegrin settlers were also settled here. According to the 1921 census, Dreja had 12 houses with 60 inhabitants, in 1948 there were 31 houses with 197 inhabitants, in 1981 there were 50 houses with 438 inhabitants (12 Serbs, 2 Montenegrins, 10 Muslims).

According to the Serbian census of 1991, there were 14 Serbs and 11 Egyptians here. Before the Serbian aggression in the spring of 1999, Dreja had 68 families, with about 300 Albanian inhabitants. 6 Ashkali families, 2 Serbian families with 8 inhabitants, while in the outside world there were 224 inhabitants. One person was killed. The population was expelled and settled in other villages on March 27, 1999, and was expelled to Albania on May 8 of that year.

16. DREJANA (DUBRAVA)

It lies 2 km east of Istog. It is a plain settlement, divided into neighborhoods.

Area: 1162 ha, 26 ares, 72 m.

Families: Avdijaj, Bajramaj (Kelmendi), Ibrahimaj, Maliqtë, Sylaj, Kajtazaj, Bosnian, Ashkali, Roma, Montenegrin and Serbian families.

The most characteristic micro-toponyms: Jellashi, Raveci, Udha e Drenica, Kllaqunari, Rakita. In the cadastral register of Shkodra, from 1485, it is registered under the name Dobrina, dependent on Peja, has of the sandjakbey with 10 houses, and 3 bachelors and based on the position, we think that this name is related to Dubrava.

Between the two wars, the Serbian and Montenegrin authorities brought here 122 families of settlers, and thus Dubrava became one of the largest Slavic colonies in this municipality, after that of Dobrusha. Albanians for a time worked for half of the settlers’ lands, and after 1947 they also began to buy their properties.

The first families, in 1947, settled here were Avdijaj from Syneja and Jahaj from Istog, then came their families: Maliqi from Drenica, Memiqi from Kërnina and after 1974, many Albanian families from Uca and Rakoshi settled here.

At that time, Bosnian and Ashkali families also came and bought the settlers’ lands. Statistical notes: In 1942 there were 471 inhabitants (220 males and 251 females), in 1948 there were 99 houses with 439 inhabitants, in 1981 there were 175 houses with 1374 inhabitants (742 Albanians, 54 Serbs, 87 Montenegrins, 222 Muslims, 269 others, mainly Roma).

According to the Serbian census of 1991, which the Albanians boycotted, Dubrava had 82 Serb inhabitants, 64 Montenegrins, 81 Muslims, 71 Yugoslavs, 169 Roma, 117 Egyptians). Before the Serbian aggression of 1999, the village had 135 Albanian houses, 4 Bosniaks, 5 Ashkali, 30 Roma, and 12 Serbian and Montenegrin houses. All Albanian houses were burned and destroyed, and then Serbian and Montenegrin ones as well. Six civilians were killed.

On March 28, 1999, the Albanian population was expelled in the direction of Rozhaja to Montenegro, and then to Ulcinj and Albania. In this locality there existed (and still exists) the infamous Dubrava prison, where Serbian forces on May 19-22 of that year killed and massacred 97 Albanian prisoners from all parts of Kosovo. There is evidence that many more people were killed in that massacre. Some prisoners from that time are still missing, among them the Albanian intellectual. Mr. Ukshin Hoti. In this locality, after the war, the KFOR base was established.

17. DRENUSHA (DOBRUSHA)

It lies in the lowlands, 10 km southwest of Istog, along the Peja-Mitrovicë highway.

Area: 1275 ha, 99 ares, 44 m.

The most characteristic microtoponyms: Kompresi i Kuq, Kompresi i Bardhë, Vucari, te Bunari, Kroni i Hajdutit, Epodrum, Ledina, Kanali i Maxharrit, Bregu, Valla, Lluga, Kërla, etc. In medieval documents, both in maps and in Ottoman registers, the settlement of Dobrusha is registered.

It cannot be identified whether we are dealing with Dobrushta (Mirza) of the municipality of Prizren, or with Dubrusha of the municipality of Istog. Thus, it is mentioned in the charter of Tsar Dushan of 1348, under the name Dobrushnica, and it is also mentioned in the charter of Stefan Dushan, in 1326.

Under the name Dobrish it is mentioned in the cadastral register of the Sandzhak of Dukagjin of 1571 and had 28 houses, 2 singles, 6 couples and 3 couples. Then it was registered in the Prizren Sandžak register of 1591, with 18 houses, under the name Dobrish, and it was also registered in the Shkodra Sandžak calendar of 1562 with 24 houses, 6 bachelors, 2 hamlets.

Before colonization, the lands of this settlement were pastures and forests of the surrounding villages. This Serbian and Montenegrin colony was formed by the government immediately after World War I. 234 families of settlers were settled between the two world wars, and after Vitomirtica in Peja, in these parts of Northern Dukagjin, Dubrusha is the largest Slavic colony, created along the Peja-Mitrovicë highway, for the strategic purposes of the invaders.

In 1941, a major conflict occurred between the settlers and the Albanians. The settlers killed several Albanians, then the Albanians organized and expelled the settlers from Dobrusha and burned part of the village. The settlers returned again after the end of World War II, and by the end of the 1960s they had started selling their properties again and Albanian families but also Bosnian families from Montenegro and Serbia had settled there.

The first Albanian family to settle here in 1965 was the Tuzi family, from Tuzi in Montenegro, then came the Buqaj family, from Nokshiqi, Hajdaraj, from Llapqevo in Malisheva, Dreshaj and Nikqi, from Rugova, Demaj from Jabllanica e Madhe, Mehmetaj, from Mulliq, Berisha, from Lutogllava, Maxharraj, from Sudenica, Selimaj, from Shkreli in Rugova, Ahmetaj from Padalishta. Bosnian families came from Bellopoja, Plava, Rozaja, Berani and Tutini, in Montenegro and Serbia.

Statistical notes: According to the 1921 census, conducted by the Kingdom of Serbia and Montenegro, Dobruša had 80 houses with 396 inhabitants, in 1948 there were 187 houses with 876 inhabitants, in 1981 there were 290 houses with 1852 inhabitants (285 Albanians, 17 Serbs, 270 Montenegrins, 1265 Muslims, 15 others). According to the 1991 Serbian census there were 12 Serbs, 126 Montenegrins, 1136 Muslims, 2 Yugoslavs and 19 Roma.

In 1999 there were 206 Bosniak families with about 800 inhabitants, 33 Albanian families with about 300 inhabitants and about 30 Serbian and Montenegrin families. As a result of the war, 8 Albanian houses and 3 Bosnian houses were burned down, and after the war, the houses of Serbs and Montenegrins were also destroyed.Two Albanians were killed in the war, one martyr and one civilian.

18. DRILONI I VOGEL (DUBOVA E VOGEL)

It lies in the plain on the left side of the White Drin, about 8 km southwest of Istog.

Area: 243 ha, 23 ares, 21 m.

Families: Mehaj, Hasaj, Demaj, Lajçi, Daci, Kelmendi, Bacaj, Sallka (Bosnian), and Montenegrin families.

The most characteristic micro-toponyms: Rroshe, Ara e Verrit, Livadhi i Demë Hysës, Orashkë, Batmon, Seishtë, etc. The village is actually divided into two parts. On the right side of the Drini, there is Dubova e Madhe, administratively belonging to the Municipality of Peja, on the left side of the Drini, there is Duvova e Vogël, administratively belonging to the Municipality of Istog. Dubova e Vogël is a new settlement, and Madhja is an older settlement. The new settlement is populated by families who mainly came from Rugova and the highlands of Montenegro.

It was mentioned as a settlement in 1395 in the charter of Princess Milica, then in the Ottoman books in 1485, it is mentioned under the name Dubova, registered with 9 houses, 3 single people and 1 widow. Between the two world wars, 7 Serbian and Montenegrin families and 1 Muslim family were colonized in this settlement.

Two Muslim families arrived in Dubova e Vogel in 1878. It was also registered as a settlement in the annals of the Vilayet of Kosovo in 1893. This settlement was burned down three times by the Serbian and Montenegrin armies: in 1912, 1944 and 1999.

Statistical notes: Under the name Dubova in 1905 there were 20 houses, in 1921 there were 121 inhabitants, in 1948 268 houses with 160 inhabitants, in 1981 there were 48 houses with 346 inhabitants (310 Albanians, 30 Montenegrins, 6 Muslims).

According to the Serbian census of 1991, this settlement had 1 Serbian inhabitant, 18 Montenegrins. On the eve of the 1999 war there were 38 Albanian houses with 250 inhabitants, 2 Bosniak houses and 3 Montenegrin houses. As a result of the war, 32 Albanian houses were burned down, and later 3 Montenegrin houses. 6 Albanian civilians were killed. On April 12, 1999, the population was expelled towards Montenegro and then to Albania.

19. DRINASI (KASHICA)

It lies on the eastern bank of the White Drin, about 15 km southwest of Istog. It is a plain settlement.

Area: 248 ha, 46 are, 54 m.

Neighborhoods: Upper Mahalla – families: Gashi, Berisha, Krasniqi and Kelmendi (Shabanaj); Middle Mahalla: Musëbrahimët; Shoshëve Mahalla.

The most characteristic microtoponyms: Livadhi i Madh, Poilla, Ostrika, Seishta, Ara e Madhe, Jalloshat, Shavarina, etc. In written documents it is mentioned in the annals of the Sandzak of Shkodra, under the name Kshica, from 1485 and had seven bachelors and two widows. It is also mentioned in the register of the Deviq monastery, from 1770.

It is registered as a settlement in the annals of the Vilayet of Kosovo from 1893 with an area of ​​1311 ha. In 1922, the Serbo-Montenegrins killed 11 Albanians here, burned and looted the village. Thus, the newspaper “Kosova” of Constanta, which was published by the Albanians of Romania at the time, wrote: “In the village of Kasicë, on 22. 5.1922, Sadik Shoshi was killed with 10 of his friends, the entire village was looted”.

After the Serbian and Montenegrin invasions in 1912, two families migrated to Turkey, while around 1956 three families went to Albania. Between the two world wars, 3 Serbian and Montenegrin settler families settled in Kasišće. Statistical notes: This settlement at the end of the 19th century had 25 houses and 3 towers with Albanian population. In 1921 there were 31 houses with 237 inhabitants, in 1948 there were 48 houses with 287 inhabitants, in 1981 there were 83 houses with 771 inhabitants (727 Albanians, 18 Serbs, 9 Montenegrins, 14 Muslims, 3 others).

With the Serbian census of 1991, 1 Serbian resident and 10 Muslims were registered here. In 1998, the village of Kasicë had 105 Albanian houses with 721 inhabitants, 1 Bosniak house with 5 inhabitants, 2 Serbian houses with 5 inhabitants and 2 Montenegrin houses with 2 inhabitants. In 1999, 12 inhabitants of Kasicë were killed by the Serbian aggressor, one of whom was a martyr.

On May 8, 1999, the population was deported to Albania, several families remained hostages of the Serbian forces in the village. During the march to Albania, in the village of Carrabreg in Decani, Serbian forces killed, in the presence of the families, eight inhabitants of this village. The Serbian aggressor burned 16 houses of Kasicë, later the houses of Serbs and Montenegrins were also burned.

20. FUSHEMIRA (CARRALLUKA)

It lies 14-15 km southwest of Istog, a field settlement of the clustered type.

Area: 294 ha, 93 ares, 50 m.

Families: Sutaj, Podrimaj, Pejaj, Rugova, Sylaj, Xhema, etc. Serbian families: Mališić, Milošavljević, Ashkali: Halabakaj, Hajrizaj, Ferizaj.

The most characteristic micro-toponyms: Fushat, Livadhet e Zajmit, Ara e Plakut, Kroni i Carrallukës, Kraishta e Sutit, Livadhi i Stanit, Arat e Rexhëmehmetëve, etc. There are old cemeteries in the village. It is believed that they are Illyrian-Albanian cemeteries from the time of Roman rule.

In old documents it is mentioned in the annals of the Sandzhak of Shkodra from 1485, under the name Qirnalug, with 6 houses and 2 bachelors. It is also mentioned in the annals of the Vilayet of Kosovo from 1893 with an area of ​​1311 ha. It seems that the village was abandoned for a time, as it was the property of two beylers, one from Pazar i Ri and the other from Peja – Xhemajl Aga-hoxhë.

They brought some Serbian peasants, who worked the land for them. Then, about 160 years ago, Albanian families also came from different parts of Kosovo. In this settlement, in 1948, an Albanian family also came from Tropoja, Albania. Serbian and Montenegrin settlers came between the two world wars.

Statistical notes: In 1903 there were 4 Serbian houses and the rest Albanian, in 1921 there were 14 houses with 150 inhabitants, in 1948 there were 19 houses with 178 inhabitants, in 1981 there were 110 houses with 817 inhabitants (669 Albanians, 42 Serbs, 6 Montenegrins, 98 Muslims, 2 others).

With the Serbian census of 1991, 5 Serbs, 7 Montenegrins and 26 Muslims were registered. Before the Serbian aggression, the village had 50 houses with 470 inhabitants, of which 35 were Albanian, 6 Serbian and 9 Roma (these records also include Baja II, or Kraishta e Sutaj, a dry mountain, which was usurped by the government and where Serbs and Montenegrins were settled. During the Serbian aggression of 1999, 17 houses were burned, and later the houses of Serbs and Montenegrins were also destroyed.

21. FRASHNI (ZABLLACI)

It lies about 13 km south of Istog. It is a plain settlement. It lies in a fertile plain, between two rivers, the Drini i Bardhë and the Istog River, which come together at the end of this settlement, near Zllakuqan i Klina.

Families: Ahmetaj, Mehmetaj, Dërvishaj, Balaj, etc.

Zallc Bridge, historical monument

The most characteristic micro-toponyms: Jazi i Gogës, Bishtaqe, Bare, Lluga e Madhe, Glipce, Livadhet te Ura e Gurit, Bahqe, etc. There are not many historical records for this settlement. The inhabitants here came from Isniq and Strellci i Decani.

An old road passed through this settlement that, through the Ura e Gurit, which is very old and under the protection of the state of Kosovo, as a monumental historical bridge, with architectural value, connected the western parts of Dukagjin with the eastern ones.

Statistical records: in 1921 it was registered as a neighborhood with 10 houses, with 40 inhabitants. In 1948 with 21 houses with 196 inhabitants, in 1981 there were 45 houses with 492 inhabitants (491 Albanians, 1 Montenegrin). At the end of 1998, the village had 66 Albanian houses with 439 inhabitants and 1 Montenegrin house.

The Serbs burned and shelled 33 Albanian houses in 1999. 5 members of the KLA were martyred in this settlement, 3 people were killed before the offensive, 2 people were taken from the displaced persons column and massacred, all young. On May 8, 1999, all the inhabitants were deported to Albania.

22. FUSHEPALI (POLANA)

It lies about 25 km southeast of Istog. It is a hilly-mountainous settlement.

Area: 800 ha, 72 ares, 71 m.

Families: Veselinović, Jovanović, Rakić, Filipović, Šimić.

The most characteristic micro-toponyms: Hamarishta, Bara, Bregu, Zabeli i Zajmit, Konoplishta, Uji i Magjupit, Sokaku, etc. In written documents it is mentioned in 1314 in the charter of King Millutin, under the name Bolani, dependent on Peja. In the cadastral register of the Sandzak of Shkodra from 1485 it is said that it had 9 houses and one widow.

This settlement was mainly inhabited by Serbian families. In the Paleva neighborhood live Albanian families of the Christian faith, Pjetraj and Dodaj. Under the name Bulan it was registered in the annals of the Vilayet of Kosovo from 1893 with 1893 hectares of area.

Statistical notes: In 1903 this village was registered with 10 Serbian houses, in 1921 with 13 houses and 133 inhabitants, in 1948 there were 31 houses with 244 inhabitants, in 1981 with 48 houses and 295 inhabitants (19 Albanians, 331 Serbs, 3 Montenegrins).

The Serbian census of 1991 showed that there were 127 Serbian and 6 Albanian residents here. On the eve of the war, Polana had seven Albanian houses, six were burned down in the war, and then the Serbian houses were also destroyed. The neighborhood PALEVA with this name was joined to Polana, it was once a separate settlement.

The name Paleva is recorded in documents from the time of the Sandzak of Shkodra and the Vilayet of Kosovo in 1893, with 1896 ha. Now 7 Albanian families live in this locality. In this village and around it lie large reserves of lignite, called the Dukagjini Lignite Basin, with great prospects for exploitation.

23. GASHAJ (SHUSHICA)

It lies 8 km east of Istog and consists of two neighborhoods: Shushica e Epërme and Shushica e Poshtme. Shushica e Epërme is located near the mountains and a river of the same name originates above it, while Shushica e Poshtme lies in the plain, mainly along the Peja – Mitrovica highway.

Area: 2456 hectares.

Neighborhoods – Upper Gashaj: Ibrahimaj, Zekaj, Halilaj, Nimanaj, Mulaj, Jahaj, Sadikaj, Hajdinaj, Osmanaj, Abdylaj, etc. Lower Gashaj: Salihaj, Alidemaj, Metaj, Selimusaj.

The most characteristic microtoponyms: Kërshi i Ramës, Bregu i Hanit, Kroni i Popit, Kërshi i Vogël, Arat e Dubravës, Lugjet, te Kisha, Soishta, Kërshi i Palit, Kroni i Alqikit, Katun’s graves, Vojdulli, Kroni i Vojdulli, Mokna, Boavica, Livadhet e Selibres, Rrepishta, etc. To the north of this village and towards Mojstir, in the Starasellë area, there are traces of an old settlement, where traces of the foundations of houses can still be seen today.

There are also traces of an old church in Kroni i Popit. There are also traces of an old settlement in Soishte. There are also traces of another church on the land of Sejdi Saka. During the Middle Ages, a Vlach population lived in this settlement. This is evidenced by the christobule of the Decani monastery from 1330, which states that this settlement had 29 houses and 181 men.

In written documents, it is mentioned in the charter of King Uroshi I in 1254, it is also mentioned in the charter of Tsar Dushan, then in the annals of the Sandzhak of Shkodra in 1485 under the name Shushiqa, the kaza of Peja, with 28 houses, 5 bachelors and 5 widows. Under the name Sushica, in 1893, with 1311 ha, it was registered in the annals of the Vilayet of Kosovo.

Throughout history, this village has suffered a lot. In 1910, during the great Albanian uprising against the Turks, 5 people were killed in this village. In 1919, during the Albanian resistance against the Serbian and Montenegrin invasions, 8 men were killed and during the penetration of the communists in these parts, 1944-1945, 4 men were killed. There have also been many family relocations from this settlement.

In 1850, 3 Mulaj families moved to Turkey, in 1920 – 2 more families, after 1945, 2 more families went to Albania and in 1967, 40 members of the Sakaj family moved to Turkey. The Serbian criminal, the notorious voivode, Milić Kërstiqi, also committed atrocities in Shushicë. According to historical documents, he shot 8 Albanians in this settlement in the spring of 1921, and 10 others in July of that year. Between the two world wars, 70 settler families settled in this settlement.

Statistical notes: In 1871, there were 25 Albanian houses, in 1903, 3 Serbian families were registered, they may also be from the nearby village of Bellopojë. In 1921, there were 85 houses with 702 inhabitants. In 1942, 812 inhabitants were registered, of whom 414 were male and 398 were female.

In 1948, there were 160 houses, 1139 inhabitants. In 1981, there were 195 houses with 1723 inhabitants (1672 Albanians, 13 Serbs, 38 Montenegrins). According to the Serbian census of 1991, there were 9 Serbs, 6 Montenegrins and 4 Croats.

At the beginning of 1999, the village had 240 houses, with 2,395 Albanian inhabitants. 142 houses, the school, and the village mosque were burned by the Serbian aggressor.

5 people were killed from the upper neighborhood, of whom one was a martyr, while from the lower neighborhood, eight members of the Salihaj family and their nephew from Vojnik i Skënderaj, Nazmi Gashi, were massacred on August 29, 1998. On April 14, the population was deported to Albania.The homes of Serbs and Montenegrins were later destroyed.

24. GURRAKOC

It lies about 7 km south of Istog, at the intersection of the Peja-Mitrovicë and Istog-Klina highways.

Area: 1047 ha, 42 ares, 56 m.

Families: Ukëbajram, Rexhëfetah, Hajdar, Ibishë, Jahaj, Smajlmet, Zekësak, all Kabash, Feratë, Rajramaj, Palokaj, Musolli, Osmanaj, Ashkali families: Kameraj, Qukaj and some Serbian and Montenegrin families: Perović, Peqin, Popović.

The most characteristic micro-toponyms: Gurrat e Kocit, Shavarinat, ledina e Fetahve, Jazi i Gogës, Livadhi i Madh, Lluga, Arat e Shushica, Kroni i Ukëbajramëve, Batallaku, Kodra e Peqinëve, Bostanishta, Gusari, Terazije, Qulina, Mesir, etc. It is worth mentioning that this settlement has developed at a rapid pace thanks to its position at the crossroads of major roads, but also due to the fact that at one time, in 1947, it was also the administrative center of the Istog district and a municipal center.

It is a very old settlement. At the exit of this locality, from the Peja side, there are old cemeteries, called “Varret e Këqija”, which no one remembers how old they are. There are some large stones there, without symbols. In the Kabashëve neighborhood, the microtoponym “Lisi i Kishës” has been preserved, which proves that the population was previously of the Christian faith.

In written documents, it is mentioned in the Ottoman registry of the Sandžak of Shkodra from 1485 under the name Gjerqishta, with 17 houses and 4 single people. On an Austrian map, based on the records of 1689, it is registered under the name Gurakoz. As a settlement, it is also registered in the annals of the Vilayet of Kosovo in 1893, with 1311 ha.

According to church sources, in 1883 Gurrakoc had 29 families with 185 inhabitants. These documents mention the Pejqinović family, who were Slavicized Orthodox Albanians. In the period between the two world wars, 33 families of Serbian and Montenegrin settlers settled in Gurrakoc. From this settlement, several Albanian families migrated to Turkey and Albania.

When the Serbian and Montenegrin armies penetrated these areas after 1912, many houses were burned, some Albanians were killed and massacred. In the summer of 1920, the gangs of Milić Kërstić killed several shepherds of this locality and 3 residents of Llukafc i Begu.

Statistical notes: At the end of the century. In the 19th century there were 40 Albanian houses, Catholic and Muslim, in 1921 there were 90 houses with 790 inhabitants, in 1948 205 houses 1235 inhabitants, in 1981 there were 437 houses with 3106 inhabitants (2334 Albanians, 466 Serbs, 261 Montenegrins, 27 Muslims, 18 others.

Before the Serbian aggression in 1999 Gurrakoc had 338 Albanian houses, 18 Serbs and 19 others. 135 Albanian houses were burned, later many Serbian houses as well. One civilian was killed. The population was expelled from the village on March 28, 1999, some to Albania, some to Montenegro.

25. GURRASI (SUDENICA)

It lies about 7 km west of Istog. It is a clustered settlement, located in the Istog mountains.

Area: 1718 ha, 64 ares, 52 m.

Families: Zeqiraj, Maxharraj, Sadikaj, Balaj, Sefaj, Ramqaj, Maksutaj, Sejdijaj, Shoshi, Muqaj, Vuthaj, etc.

The most characteristic microtoponyms: Bregu i Lama, Bregu i Theknës, Bregu i Balicë, Lugu i Paplekës, Kërshi i Paplekës, Lugu i Mahallës, Korenik, Lugu i Kallugjerit, Kroni i Kallugjerit, Pusi i Ilixhës, Lugu i Laknave, Prroni i Bicit, Pusi i Naqit, Kroni i Qarrit, Kroni i Thanës, Gurra e Zekës, Kroni i Hasahoxhës, Gurishta, Fanxhet, Livadhet e Hoxhës, Kroni i Sekllës, Bosanishta, Gubavicat, etc.

The old traces of material culture prove that this is a very old settlement. This is evidenced by archaeological findings, the remains of a church, a shrine, underground cemeteries for several people, defensive walls, etc. It is believed that among them there are elements of the culture of the Byzantine era from the 6th century.

In this locality there was an Illyrian-Roman church that was destroyed in the 13th century. According to legend, the first of this village was called Bali, who together with Golan from Vrella were the kings of the Church. The mosque was built with the stones of the church. Many inscriptions from the Roman period have also been found in this locality, such as Hercul (o) have bene, Ulpius, etc.

It is mentioned in the cristobulls of King Stefan Uroshi II, who donated it to the monastery of Hilandar during the years 1292-1302. Later it is mentioned in the Sanxhak of Shkodra in 1485, under the name Studenica, the Suhogerla district, with 13 houses, 4 single people and 1 widow. Under this name it was registered in the annals of the Vilayet of Kosovo in 1893 with 1311 ha.

Between the two world wars, in this settlement where only Albanians lived, 4 families of Montenegrin settlers settled. In 1966, the Sadikaj family moved to Turkey. Statistical notes: at the end of the 19th century there were 20 houses, in 1921 there were 40 houses with 445 inhabitants, in 1948 there were 83 houses with 706 inhabitants, in 1981 there were 130 houses with 1571 inhabitants (1570 Albanians, 1 Muslim).

In 1999 there were 325 houses with 2025 Albanian inhabitants. During the attack on the village on April 13, 1999, 263 houses were burned and destroyed, the village mosque, built in 1803, was shelled and partially burned, as well as the house of culture. On April 23, 9 people were executed and massacred, including four girls and four old men.

A common cemetery was discovered in the village. The population was expelled on April 13 towards Montenegro and then towards Albania. During the war, a large mass of the Albanian population, expelled from other parts of the Istog Municipality, stayed in this settlement for a while.

26. GUSARI

It is a rural settlement, treated as a neighborhood of the village of Vërri (Veriq). Mainly Roma families lived here. In 1953 it was recorded that there were 30 houses with 152 inhabitants. It was not damaged during the war. After the war, 14 Roma families lived here.

27. KALIQANI

It lies about 12 km west of Istog, at the foot of Mount Korenik and along the Istog-Radac highway, which then connects to the Peja-Rozhajë highway.

Area: 2183 ha, 54 ares, 52 m.

Families: Ukaj, Metaj, Zogaj, Sejdaj, Cakutaj, Osmanaj, Selmanaj, Arifaj.

Village of Kaliqan, view from the coast (© Googleearth)

The most characteristic microtoponyms: Dydeshi, Arat e Bujës, Podi i Gjongegës, Livadhi i Gjokës, Lugishta e Palgjonit, Fusha e Hasapalit, Livadhi i Markut, Kërshi i Gjongegës, Kroni i Magjupit, Kora e Nikës, Hakanishta, Kërshi i Peplekës, Bira e Arushës, Brini i Leci, Hasakoci, Shpella e Kadija, Lugishta e Hasapalit, Merleke, Roga e Shalës, Brini i Leci, Qafa e Beleg, Lojzet, Garazhdeci, Kroni i Zanave, Kroni i Bungu, Kroni i Lajthië, Kroni i Mrizit, Kroni i Zabeli, Kroni azë, Arat e Bujës, Podi i Gjon Gegës, Mali i Paplekës, Mali i Tapave, Rrasat, Brraka, Gërbiba, Hithat, Poparc, Lugu i Kelmendit, Rudaku, Rrgalla, Qafa e Zhigut, Bregu i Kikës, Kallaba, Biga, Hakanishta, Gurët e Arushës, Lugu i Shtjerrave, Lisi i Kacamakut, Lugu i Kuajve, Xhuherja, Gropa e Nuses, Lugu i Belegut, Gropa e Shoshanit, etc.

There are two legends about the existence and formation of this settlement. It is said that it was bought by a feudal lord, for a horse and a dog. While, according to another legend, a shepherd had a large flock of sheep and a horse and a dog. The sheep are killed among themselves, the shepherd intervenes and kills them, both sheep die, the horse and dog continue their way to the mountains. It is said that the first of the village was Nika and here he had a great blessing and it began to be called Kora (blessing) of Nikës – Korinekiu.

In the locality Arat e Bujës, today a mountain, to the west of the village, the ruins of old houses can be found. Near the mosque, to the east, is the Church Meadow, where to this day there are the foundations of an old Albanian church, which according to tradition, was the Church of the Nikajves. According to a researcher, in the place of Qoshkoke, in the neighborhood of Cakutajve, there existed an ancient Illyrian settlement of the 2nd-3rd centuries where relics of material culture are still evident.

It is mentioned in the cadastral register of the sandjak of Shkodra in 1485, under the name Kaliqani with 3 houses and 2 bachelors. It is also registered under this name in the annals of the Vilayet of Kosovo in 1893, with 1893 ha. Kaliqan has also suffered a lot since the Serbian and Montenegrin occupation in 1912 until the last war, in 1999.

In 1921, many houses were burned here and then the Slavic army gathered the men it found, tied them with wire around hay and burned them alive, most of the inhabitants fled to the mountains, to Korenik. The Kosovo National Defense Committee announced that on August 6, 1921, in the districts of Peja and Gjakova, the Serbo-Montenegrins burned 300 houses, killing more than 350 people. In Kaliqan, Orroberda, Lubovë, Sudenicë, Vrellë and Lubozhe, they burned 173 houses, this Committee announced.

Between the two world wars, 10 Montenegrin settler families were settled in Dydesh, who fled in 1941 and never returned. Two families of settlers settled within the village at that time, one of whom bought the land, the other was given the land by the government. From this settlement there are families who have moved to Egypt, Syria, Turkey, Bosnia and Albania.

In 1942, Buzëbjeshkë was baptized.Statistical notes: in 1838, according to the guide J. Muller, there were 16 houses with 70 inhabitants, in 1905 there were 12 Albanian houses, in 1921 there were 39 houses with 382 inhabitants, in 1948 there were 64 houses with 524 inhabitants, in 1981 – 123 houses with 1068 inhabitants (10 Montenegrins). According to the Serbian census of 1991, there were 4 Montenegrins in Kaliqan.

Before the Serbian aggression there were 153 houses with 1630 inhabitants. More than 98 percent of the village was burned, and several towers of cultural and historical value were also burned and destroyed, such as the one of Lash Uka, three-story, with a characteristic style. The village mosque, the house of culture, the school and its documentation were burned. 4 villagers and 43 refugees sheltered here were killed, among the killed and massacred, there were women, old people and even children and sick people.

Among the massacred were eight members of the Rugova family from Cerrca, whose bodies the Serbs burned. The population took refuge in the mountains on April 13 and then moved to Rozhaja and further to Ulcinj and Shkodër. Tuz and Malësi e Madhe.

28. KERNINA

It stretches 10-12 kilometers along the Istog line.

Area: 689 ha, 26 ares, 50 m.

Families: Upper Kërnina: Llugiqët (Hasanaj), Memaj, Middle Kërnina: Sylaj, Qitaku, Shaljanët, Boletinët, Salizlamaj, and Dani. Lower Kërnina: Alidemaj, Metaj.

The most characteristic micro-toponyms: Sejishtë, Buquk, Broqishta, Zabeli, Starasellë, Gubafci, Gjinjjer, Cerovik, Llazovë, Lisi i Orlit, Belibreg, Shpia e Miftar Kusha, Bregu, Osmonica, Begllaqë, Kroni i Magjupit, Kalanica, Lugu i Gjanë, Zhdrella, Qukafci, Berishta, Banishori, Lugu i Mllakut, Stojefci, Kodra, Arat e Gata, Arat e Mdhaja, Arat e Rexhës, Atava, Rrushet e Memiqve, etc.

In the place Tërshovënë, a wall has been discovered that is assumed to be of an Illyrian church. In the place Kroni i Rakoshit, in the neighborhood of Fekajve, traces of an old settlement are found. In Kodra there are traces of a church, which the people call the Roman Catholic Church, and the toponym Te Kisha e Llugiqit has been preserved. Another church also existed in the place of Te Rrushet e Memićve.

In Lower Kërnina there are traces of some old cemeteries, with crosses that are distinguishable from the crosses of the Serbs. The Serbs have declared that these are their graves, but they did not bury their dead here. This settlement, named Kërnina, is mentioned in the Shkodra Sandžak register in 1485, with 5 houses, 1 bachelor and 1 widow. Because this settlement is also located on the Peja – Mirtrovicë highway, and is known for its bravery, the Serbian occupying power never stopped oppressing it.

On 20.2.1919, the Serbs killed 17 people and burned 30 Albanian houses. On 3.3.1919, the Serbian army destroyed the village with cannons. After this event, some families fled to Albania. Several Serbian families called rajë also lived in Kërnina. According to the locals, these were Russian rajes.

Other Serbs settled here between the two world wars, even on Albanian properties, 37 families. Statistical notes: In 1905 there were 15 Albanian and 6 Serbian houses. In 1921 there were 560 inhabitants (40 Albanian families with 500 members and 10 Serbian families with 60 members). In 1948 there were 72 houses with 533 inhabitants, in 1981 – 122 houses with 808 inhabitants (614 Albanians, 169 Serbs, 44 Montenegrins).

According to the Serbian census of 1991 there were 137 Serbs, 26 Montenegrins. In 1999 Serbian forces burned 133 houses, the population was displaced to Montenegro and Albania. After the war, the houses of Serbs and Montenegrins were also destroyed.

29. KOSHI

It lies 20 km southeast of Istog.

Area: 935 ha, 11 ares, 40 m.

Neighborhoods: Frrokaj, Delijaj (Ukaj, Paloku, Gojani), Oroshaj, (where the Neziraj, Ashkali families also live), Oprashka (Maleshaj- Ashkali) and Serbian families: Obradović, Popović, Tomić, Locmanović, etc.

The most important micro-toponyms: Llokve, Te Kisha, Vragovc, Te Lisat, Ara e Madhe, Utrina e Deviqi, Bakaqa, Bregu, Valloga, Broqishta, Zabeli, Jazbina, Kosharnik, Llojza, Ledina, Oprashka, Bregu i Samarxhië, manove, etc. An old ancient settlement inhabited by a Dardanian population, as evidenced by the finding of a votive altar made of white marble, profiled on three sides.

It served as a pillar for a trapezium of honor with the inscription: Mercurio ( M. Ulpius) Severianqus l ( ibens) m ( erito) p- ( osuit) then a jar from the Roman period was found. According to tradition, it is said that there was a monastery here, but after its destruction, the Deviqi monastery in Drenica was built.

In written documents it is mentioned in the Christobule of Saint Stephen of King Milutin in 1314, then in the cadastral register of the Sandzak of Shkodra in 1485, under the name Kush, when 55 houses, 11 singles and three widows were registered. Under the name Kosh it is registered in the annals of the Vilayet of Kosovo in 1893. Some Oroshi families moved to Croatia 50 years ago.

Serbian and Montenegrin families came from Montenegro and Serbia. Statistical notes: In 1905 there were 10 Albanian houses and 5 Serbian houses, in 1921 there were 27 houses with 200 inhabitants, in 1948 there were 68 houses with 501 inhabitants, in 1981 there were 122 houses with 808 inhabitants (227 Albanians, 554 Serbs, 1 Montenegrin 26 Muslims). According to the informant, in 1999 there were 23 Albanian houses, 10 Ashkali houses and about 70 Serbian houses.

During the war, 10 Albanian houses were destroyed once, and later all the Serbian houses. One person died as a result of mistreatment by the Serbian police. Oprashka is a settlement, a separate neighborhood of Kosh.

Traces of material culture have been found, which prove that this locality was once an old settlement. It is also mentioned in the cadastral register of the Sandzak of Shkodra, in 1485, with 15 houses. Today, the families of the Maleshaj brotherhood live in this settlement.

30. KRASNIQAJ (KOVRAGA)

It lies 5-6 km southeast of Istog. It is a plain settlement.

Area: 562 ha, 46 ares, 98 m.

Neighborhoods – families: Vërbiqët, Blakaj, Belegët, Lucaj, Salihu, Gjocaj, Loshaj, Ozmanaj, Haxhiaj, etc. Serbian-Montenegrin families until 1999: Pituliq, Zuviq, Nikoliq, Kragovic, Jankovic, etc. Ashkali families: Zymeri. Bosnian families: Bandiq, Orlaj, Bahtilivic, etc.

These arrived in 1964 from Berane and Bellopoja in Montenegro and settled along the Peja-Mitrovica road, between the villages of Kovragë and Veriq. The Bosnians here bought the land from Serbian and Montenegrin settlers. The Bekaj family came from Uça and settled between Kovragë and Dubrava, 35 years ago.

The most characteristic micro-eponyms: Errnica, Qymyraqa, Rrahishta, Bregjet, Hajdone, Shushica, Podina e Korragëve, Bunari te Karaulla, Mi Vadat, Ner Vadat, etc. is an old settlement where the Illyrian tribe, the Dardans, lived. This is evidenced by the findings of the material culture of these tribes, fragments of pottery, earthenware, etc. in the Blakajve Mahalla.

In the written documents of the Sandzhak of Shkodra, from 1485, it is mentioned under the name Kovaliqa, with 8 houses, 1 bachelor, 2 widows. Maybe it has something to do with this settlement? The oldest family, according to the informant, was the Shyti family, which in 1928 moved to Turkey. Of the Serbian families, the oldest are the Pituliqs – rajë.

Of the families today, the oldest are the Vërbiqës, who came from the village of Vërbë, near Dragë in the Sandžak, and were once settled in Istog and then settled here, in Kovragë. This family had come to Vërbë from Koshutani in Rugova. The Blakaj family had lived in the region of Toplica and from there 50 years before the Belegu family had lived in Isniq in Decan.

The Belegu family are emigrants who had lived in the village of Vllasali in Kuršumlija and after the expulsion of Albanians from the Sandžak of Niš during the years 1877/78 they settled in Beleg and then in Isniq from where, together with the Blakaj family, they were once settled in Llukafc in Begu and in 1900 they finally settled in Kovragë.

According to informant Rexhep Muhaxheri, when the Belegu family moved from the Kursumlija district, they left behind a large fortune, including 100 beehives, 50 hectares of land and 40 cows. This family has some relatives in Muzakaj and Raskovë in Kastrioti (Obiliq) who bear the surname Shabani. The Llapi family also lived in Kovragë, which moved to Istog i Poshtëm after their land was taken away in 1948.

Several other Albanian families came from Jabllanica e Madhe and e Vogël. According to a study, there are old Serbian families here, but the others mainly came later, from Montenegro and Serbia. In 1919, the gangs of Milić Kërstiqi caught 12 men by surprise and burned them in an Albanian tower, in the Pitulić neighborhood. In addition to the Shyti family, in 1924 several Vërbić families also moved to Turkey.

In the period between the two world wars, the Serbian-Montenegrin government settled 31 settler families here, Serbian and Montenegrin, mainly in Upper and Middle Kovraga. According to the register of these colonies, from 1926-1938 the Serbian government settled 74 settler families with 331 members in these areas: Kovraga, Verić and Gurrakoc.

This colony, as has been said and stated many times, was formed with Serbian strategic policies, due to the fact that these settlements lie along the Peja-Mitrovicë highway. Statistical notes: At the end of the century. 19 there were 10 houses, among them 4 towers, in 1921 there were 42 houses with 348 inhabitants in 1948 – 84 houses with 513 inhabitants in 1981 – 156 houses with 1084 inhabitants (622 Albanians, 229 Serbs, 29 Montenegrins, 174 Muslims,30 others).

According to the Serbian census of 1991 (the Albanians boycotted that census), there were 429 Serbs and 1 Yugoslav in Kovragë. On the eve of the war, Kovragë had 120 Albanian houses with about 800 inhabitants and about 30 Serbian and Montenegrin houses with about 200 inhabitants, 12 Bosniak houses and 12 Ashkali.

According to the informant, 120 houses were burned and destroyed in this settlement during the 1999 war, including Serbian and Montenegrin ones.

31. LLUKAFCI I THATË

It lies 11 km southeast of Istog.

Area: 541 hectares.

This settlement was mainly inhabited by Serbian families, some Bosniak families and some Ashkali.

Traces of the old settlement have been found here, proving that it was an ancient settlement. Dardanian and Roman inscriptions have been found, such as Serapi, vatore, etc. It is mentioned under the name Llukavaq in the books of the Sandzhak of Shkodra from 1485. As a settlement under the name Llukafqe – i Lulit, it is mentioned in the annals of the Vilayet of Kosovo from 1893.

According to a research, most Serbian families came here in the 18th century, some settler families came between the two world wars. Albanian families settled here in the early 1970s, mainly from Uça. The Ashkalis are said to have come from Klina. Statistical notes: In 1871 under the name Llukafci i Lulit there were 16 Serbian houses, in 1905 -20 Serbian houses (raja).

In 1921, 20 houses with 170 inhabitants were registered, in 1948 – 43 houses with 271 inhabitants, in 1981 – 53 houses with 326 inhabitants (121 Albanians, 147 Serbs, 13 Montenegrins, 47 Muslims, 8 others). According to the Serbian census of 1991, this settlement had 85 Serbs, 4 Montenegrins and 7 Egyptians. In 1999, there were 4 Albanian houses and one Bosnian, as well as 25 Serbian houses and 6 Ashkali (Egyptian) houses, at one time they were registered as Albanians. On March 28, 1999, the Albanians were sentenced to Montenegro and Albania. After the war, the Serbs left this settlement.

32. MOJSTIR

This settlement lies on the edge of the Mokna Mountains, three to four km east of Istog.

Area: 1267 hectares.

Families: Alushaj, Nekaj, Zekaj, Beqiraj, Musaj.

The most important micro-toponyms: Striminofc, Provali, Rudina, Starasella, Jela, Repishta, Radusha, Jerebi, Shkoza, Kërshi i Zi, Tocila, Tuma, Vrac, Gllama, Samari, Padina, Liseca, Livadhi i Qrkës, Harmoqi i Rexhës, Kërshi i Kuq, Livadhi i Madh, Kroni i Polanës, Cibren, Shipot, Kroni i Mihanës, etc. The old locality lies on a part of the mountain that the Slavs have Slavicized and called Stara selo. Nearby is the place called Shtreznica, which was once a field. There was also an old church, or monastery, perhaps on the basis of which the name remained.

In written documents it is mentioned in the annals of the Vilayet of Shkodra, dependent on Peja, in 1485, divided between two feudal lords. In one with the name Mostër, 64 houses, 10 singles and 2 widows were registered, while in the other with the name Mostir there were 25 houses and 2 singles.

The Serbian population came here from Montenegro in the second half of the 13th century. Under this name it was also registered in the annals of the Vilayet of Kosovo in 1893. On November 19, 1912, a Montenegrin unit plundered the village and burned many houses. Statistical notes: In 1871 there were 20 houses, in 1905 there were 12 Albanian houses and 10 Serbo-Montenegrin houses, in 1921 there were 21 houses with 190 inhabitants, in 1948 – 37 houses with 233 inhabitants, in 1981 – 38 houses with 311 inhabitants (225 Albanians, 86 Serbs).

According to the Serbian census of 1991, Mojstiri had 37 Serb inhabitants. Before the Serbian aggression of 1999, this village had 34 Albanian houses and 8 Serbian houses. As a result of the war, all Albanian houses were burned and 3 Albanians were killed. On March 3, 1999, the Albanian population was expelled to Rozhajë and then to Shkodra.

33. MUZAKAJ (MUZHEVINA)

It lies in a fertile plain 3-4 km southwest of Istog.

Area: 344 hectares.

Families: Bardhec, Halilferiz, Vuthnjan, Hajdinimer, Ahmetaj, Alimetaj, Jahaj, Balaj, Gashi, Selmanaj, Shala, Dema, Bajramaj, Veselaj, Vekaj, Sylaj, Myrtaj, Dushi, Kolaj, Kurtaj, Sefaj, Qorraj, Shpatollaj, etc., then the Serbo-Montenegrin families: Djorgjevic, Vojnovic, Zuvic, Radosavljevic, Stanojevic, Minic, etc., and Egyptians.

The most characteristic microtoponyms: Livadhet e Egra, Livadhet e Buta, Livadhi i Madh, Arat te Stani, Tërshevina, Lluga e Vogël, Botena, Mi Vade, Rrahishta, Jazi i Gogës, Progomet, Zallina, etc. In a meadow there are old cemeteries, and a mound. In Livadhet e Madh, to the west of the village, under the Magjup stream, there are several large stones from the old cemeteries, there may have been an old church there.

In old documents it is mentioned in the annals of the Shkodra Vilayet of 1485 under the name Muzevanja with 13 houses, 1 bachelor. Under the name Muzhovina, it is mentioned in the annals of the Kosovo Vilayet of 1893. Between the two world wars, 6 families of Montenegrin settlers came here. During the Serbo-Montenegrin rule, this settlement suffered greatly.

In the period 1912-19, etc., several members of the Jahaj family and one of the Alimetaj family were killed here, at the end of 1944 the partisans killed 12 members of the Bardhecaj family, 3 of the Duldemi family. 70 years ago, part of the Gashi family moved from here, after 1945, 3 Sylaj families moved to Sarajevo. 30 years ago, the Ahmetaj family moved to Belgium.

Statistical notes: in 1871 there were 10 houses, at the end of the century. In the 19th century there were 23 Albanian houses, in 1905 there were 12 Albanian houses and 5 Serbian houses, in 1921 – 40 houses with 279 inhabitants, in 1948 – 67 houses with 436 inhabitants, in 1981 – 110 houses with 895 inhabitants (710 Albanians, 167 Serbs, 16 Montenegrins, 2 Muslims).

According to the Serbian census of 1991, there were 119 Serbian and 18 Montenegrin inhabitants. Before the Serbian aggression in 1999, this settlement had 120 Albanian houses, 10 Serbian houses and 10 Egyptian houses. During the war, it was almost completely burned down, one woman was killed. The population was expelled on March 27. After staying in Vrellë for two weeks, it was expelled towards Montenegro and Albania.

34. NËNGURRA (LUBOZHDA)

It lies at the foot of Mount Mokna, 4 km west of Istog.

Area: 1490 ha, 85 ares, 15 m.

Neighborhoods: Kodras Neighborhood, Osaj, Idrizaj, Sejdijaj, Zeqiraj: Rrafshi Neighborhood: Pepaj, Lajqi, Duraku, Meshi, Dautaj: Januzaj Neighborhood and Kadaj and Hasanaj Neighborhood.

The most characteristic microtoponyms: Gradina, Lugu i Dragiq, Shimeku, Pallaqeri, Kanica, Batallina, Prekaqa, Kralica, Peshnjeva, Bradet, Llugat e Mëdha, Kroni i Kodrës, etc. is an old Illyrian-Dardan settlement. This is evidenced by the ruins of Gradina, the old gjjetet, which is located above the village.

Many fragments of fine pottery have been found there, even on the surface. In the fields of this settlement, several tumuli, vessels, silver bracelets and snake heads, a silver belt, amber pearls, chains, metal spears, etc. A pit with human bones was found under the Gradina castle, a millstone, pottery and metal axes were also found.

Tumular necropolises have also been discovered. There are also Catholic cemeteries in this locality. The monad of Isaac II Angel (1185 – 1195) was also found in Gradina. In old documents, it is mentioned in the annals of the Vilayet of Shkodra from 1485, under the name Luboshta, which had 10 houses. It was also registered in the annals of the Vilayet of Kosovo in 1893.

In the period between the two world wars, 11 families of Serbian and Montenegrin settlers settled in the Pollaqer neighborhood of this village, who later caused much oppression to the Albanians. In 1960, the large Pepaj family left this settlement for Turkey, after the police had crushed their head of the family during the action of collecting fields during the time of the Yugoslav police chief, Ranković.

Statistical notes: Around 1905 there were 30 Albanian houses, in 1921 there were 47 houses with 333 inhabitants, in 1948 – 85 houses with 612 inhabitants, in 1981 – 177 houses, with 1353 inhabitants (1085 Albanians, 203 Serbs, 50 Montenegrins, 2 Muslims, 13 others). According to the Serbian census of 1991, Lubozhda had 154 Serbs, 28 Montenegrins, 8 Roma, 16 Egyptians).

On the eve of the Serbian aggression, Lubozhda had 123 Albanian houses. Serbian forces burned about 110 Albanian houses, then in retaliation, 32 Serbian and Montenegrin houses were burned (out of 33 in total). During the war, 5 civilians were killed from this settlement, 4 martyrs, and a 14-year-old boy disappeared. The population was expelled to Montenegro and Albania on March 24, 1999.

35. OSOJANI

The settlement lies 18 km southeast of Istog.

Area: 1142 ha, 52 ares, 92 m.

Neighborhoods: Djuric, Repanovic, Piskulic, Llapqak, etc.

The most characteristic micro-toponyms: Bregu i haxhiësë, Bara, Beglluci, Bogashica, Bregu, Bresja, Breqa, Brod, Bunqa, Villovishte, Vir, Lesha, Ara e Demirajve, Drenja, Dunjiqe, Ara e Kajtazit, Josha, Kallilla, Llokva, Korman, Kunja, Llopqak, Nerezina, Arrnica, Piskulliqa, Përlina, Rudenica, Saq, Qelia, Qeremida, Quka, Qulina, etc. It is mentioned in the charter of King Milutin of 1314 and of the monastery of Baja.

According to one source, this settlement lies at the foot of a hill where the road that, through the kaliqan, leads to Prishtina winds and since then it had 18 houses with 86 inhabitants. With the name Otojan, Opojan, Osojan, it is mentioned in the annals of the Vilayet of Kosovo of 1893. Serbian families, rajes, lived in this settlement.

25 years ago, the Albanian family Gjokaj (3 families) who lived in the Llapqaku neighborhood, moved to the village of Bërkovë in Klina. Residents: in 1903, 22 Serbian houses were registered, in 1905 – 12 Serbian houses, in 1921 – 34 houses with 279 inhabitants, in 1948 – 64 houses with 498 inhabitants, in 1981 – 105 houses with 628 inhabitants (602 Serbs, 23 Montenegrins, 1 Albanian, 1 Yugoslav, 1 others).

During the 1999 war, the Serbs of Osojani were mobilized alongside Serbian military and paramilitary forces against their Albanian neighbors. After the Albanians returned, the Serb houses were burned. In 2001, several Serb families returned to this settlement.

36. PEMISHTJA (PADALISHTA)

Padalishta, in Kërnina, from there on the side of Skënderaj, lies east of Istog, 12-13 km away.

Area: 223 ha, 64 ares, 84 m.

Neighborhoods on the Skenderaj side: Qorraj, Beqiraj, Loshaj, Shala, while on the Istog side: Fetahaj, Mehmetaj, Imeraj and Ahmetaj.

The most characteristic micro-toponyms: Ara e Azmanit, Ara e Broqit, Ara tu Zabeli, Ara te Molla e Kuqe, Ara në Rrafsh, Bunari i Dërvishit, Fusha e Madhe, Bunari i Keq, Gujafci, Kisha, Kodrat, Kroni i Logut, Kunguleci, Ku Shemet Toka, Livadhet e Eperme, Lugu i Vraniqit, Lugat, Trolli i Hallës Razë, Mellat, Lugu i Qitakëve, Lugu i Dërvishit, Ogragja, Vau, Xhadja, Zabeli, Vneshta.

This village is divided into two parts by the Kujafq River, a river that actually administratively divides the territory of the Municipality of Istog with that of the Municipality of Skënderaj. It is a settlement known for its trees, with an untouched nature and climate, where even today some old trees grow and are in great demand on the market.

In the neighborhood of the inhabitants of the Shala tribe, the microtoponym Troje has been preserved above their houses, which apparently was an ancient settlement, but which has not yet been researched. The current settlement is a new settlement, populated by residents who came from all over Kosovo, such as Carrabregu i Decanit, Syrigona, Millaj i Mirëdite, etc.

It is mentioned in written documents at the end of the 19th century. In the period between the two world wars, a Serbian family was colonized in the Loshajve neighborhood. The village suffered greatly from the Serbian invaders, it was burned in 1912, 1918, 1924, and during the war of 1998-99. In the ancient defter it was considered the Syrigana neighborhood and together with it in 1913 420 residents were registered.

In 1921 – 15 houses with 144 inhabitants, in 1948 – 30 houses with 317 inhabitants, in 1981 – 74 houses with 716 inhabitants, Albanians. In 1998, the neighborhoods belonging to the Municipality of Skenderaj had 90 houses with Albanian inhabitants.

Only 11 houses escaped the burning by the Serbian occupier. 7 inhabitants were killed (one woman), among them two martyrs. In the neighborhoods belonging to the Municipality of Istog there are 50 houses, of which 70% were burned. 20 inhabitants were killed here (19 from the Imeraj family). A mass grave (Te Kodra e Rakoshit) with 97 killed in the Dubrava Prison massacre was discovered.

37. PREKALLA

It lies 11 km south of Istog. It is a hilly-mountainous settlement.

Area: 407 hectares.

Neighborhoods: Hasanaj, Zemaj, Osmanaj (Haxhiademët, Veselajt, Hasanët, Sadikrexhët, Halitët), Hoxhaj, etc., and Ashkali – Zeqaj, Kosovo.

The most characteristic micro-toponyms: Shkalla e Kasapit, Lugu i Imerajve, Lugu i Mullinit, Livadhi i Ilirëve, lands of Tishukëve, Rrahi i Asllan Nekës, Bregu, Qupuraku, Shavarina, Shtëpia Kërshtneshe, Kroni i Mullinit i Isniq, Livadhi i Madh, Te Drini, Mullini i Melve, Ledina e Tishukëve, etc.

According to informants, in the place Nën jaz, in the neighborhood of Haxhiademëve there are old cemeteries that are supposed to be Illyrians. The properties of this settlement belonged to the owners from Isniq, who used them as pastures for their cattle. Before their arrival, these lands were mountains, bushes and large trees.

As a settlement, it was established 200 years ago with inhabitants who came from Isniq and Srellci i Decani. Prekalla is mentioned as a settlement in the annals of the Vilayet of Kosovo from 1893. The Korrnikaj family also lived here, who returned to Isniq in 1912. The village has always suffered from the Serbian occupier.

Between the two world wars, a Serbian settler family settled here. In an archival document from 1903, it is recorded that 9 Serbian families lived here, the rest Albanian. In 1921, 44 houses with 366 inhabitants were registered, in 1948 – 59 houses with 436 inhabitants, in 1981 – 84 houses with 618 inhabitants (430 Albanians, 165 Serbs, 12 Montenegrins, 11 others).

On the eve of the Serbian aggression in 1999, the village of Prekalle had 65 houses with about 650 Albanian inhabitants, 15 Serbian houses with about 100 inhabitants, 3 Montenegrin houses with 25 inhabitants and 5 Roma houses with 45 inhabitants. 60 houses were burned and shelled by the Serbian aggressor. One resident of the village is missing. On May 8, 1999, the residents were expelled to Albania.

38. PRIGODA

It lies about 5-6 km southwest of Istog.

Area: 256 ha, 18 ares, 34 m.

Families: Gashi, Dreshaj, Kabashi, Blakaj, Zeqiraj (Morina), Mehaj, Shabanaj, Gorqaj, Qollakovic (Bosnian), and several settler families.

The most characteristic microtoponyms: Arat e Gata, Ramadane, Zabeli, Torrovaqa, Rosula, Mujaher, Suderek, Gurina, Zallina, Orrnica, etc. In the place Suderek, several stones have been found that are said to be from an old church. In written documents, it is mentioned in the cadastral register of the Vilayet of Shkodra from 1485, under the name Prikoda, where 6 houses, 2 singles and one widow are registered. In the book of the sandjak of Shkodra from 1582, it is mentioned under the name Përgoda. It is registered under the name Bragoda on an Austrian map from 1689.

In this settlement in the years 1877-78, two families of emigrants from the sandzak of Nish came, but after 1912 they were displaced and it is not known where they went. The family of Beqir Muhaxher from Leskoci is remembered among the people. It is registered under the name Berigoda in the annals of the Vilayet of Kosovo in 1893.

The Albanian population lived here, between the two world wars the Serbian and Montenegrin invaders settled 11 families of Serbian and Montenegrin settlers. In 1934, the family of Halil Gashi moved to Albania, a Gashi family moved to Rijeka, Croatia. The population of Prigoda suffered a lot from the Serbian occupiers.

In 1921, the gangs of Milić Kërstić killed the entire family of Dan Dreshaj and Mahmut Dema, with their sons Rama and Shabani, and their daughter Zoja. Then they killed Istref Selimi and his son Syla with Latif Zeqiri, when they were in the mountains guarding their cattle.

Statistical notes: In 1921 there were 40 houses, with 275 inhabitants, in 1948 – 49 houses with 343 inhabitants, in 1981 – 70 houses with 702 inhabitants (646 Albanians, 1 Serb, 3 Montenegrins, 51 Muslims, 1 other).

According to the 1991 Serbian census, there were 48 Serb residents in Progoda. Before the Serbian aggression of 1998-99, Progoda had 107 houses with 720 Albanian inhabitants and 2 Bosniak houses. 87 houses were burned, 6 people were killed, of whom one was a martyr, and one person is considered missing. The population was expelled on March 18 in the direction of Montenegro, Ulcinj and Albania.

30. RAKOSH

It is located 12 km east of Istog, along the Peja-Mitrovica highway.

Area: 495 ha, 81 ares, 12 m.

Neighborhoods: Haxhijaj, Balaj, Muhaxhirët, Shala, Tafilaj, Hajrizaj, etc.

The most important micro-toponyms: Tefiq, Shavarina, Rrahina, Smonica, Selishta, Zmijanik, Mella, Stodorekë, Trollishta, etc.

It is a very old settlement, inhabited since the Neolithic and continuing until the time of the Dardanians. Traces of the old settlement can be found in Trollishtë, on the hill of Mahalla, where pieces of roof tiles, processed stones can be found, and in the Stodorek place, where the Muhajirs are, there are tiles, bricks, shards, signs of house foundations, etc.

It is mentioned in written documents in 1253, when the first king of the Serbs, Urosh, donated it to the monastery of Ston in Dubrovnik. In the Osman Shkodra cadastral document of 1485 it is mentioned that there were 18 houses, 7 singles, 2 widows. In another document of the Sandzhak of Shkodra from 1582 it is mentioned under the name Rakos with 6 houses, 3 singles, 5 hamlets.

The Albanian population lived here mainly, Serbian families came in the 19th century and as settler families between the two world wars. After 1877-78, the Stubla brotherhood settled here, who came as emigrants from the Toplica region. Between the two world wars, 32 families of Serbian and Montenegrin settlers with 138 members settled in this locality, along with Žakovo.

At this time, 8 families of settlers also settled in the place of Zmijarnik, but they left in 1941 and never returned. Statistical notes: In 1921 there were 29 houses with 272 inhabitants, in 1948 – 66 houses with 535 inhabitants, in 1981 – 104 houses with 823 inhabitants (770 Albanians, 29 Serbs, 23 Montenegrins, 1 Muslim).

According to the Serbian census of 1991, there were 20 Serbs and 16 Montenegrins in Rakoš. Before the Serbian aggression of 1998-99, Rakoshi had 160 Albanian houses with 1050 inhabitants, 6 Serbian houses with 22 inhabitants and a Roma family with 8 members.

The aggressor burned 141 houses, then in revenge the Serbian houses were burned. Three people are considered missing. In a mass grave on Kodër i Rakoshi, it is considered that the massacred people of Dubrava Prison, who were from all parts of Kosovo, were buried.

40. SYNEJA

It lies about 4 km east of Istog.

Area: 4142 ha, 60 ares, 46 m.

The most characteristic microtoponyms: Rudesh, Rrafshi, Pavlaqët, Kodra e Bardhë, Bregu, Lugu i Madh, Kodra e Krekci, Cuka e Madhe, Kungullari, Mali i Rralle, Rudina, Qerepi, Vekshi, Rudina e Vogël, Ruishta, Gropa e Egër, Llokva, Vuqa, Kërshi i Sokolit, Guri i Shiut, Bregu i Madh, Lugu i Gatë, Bunari i Kadrië, Varret e Kuqi, Kroni i Shelgjes, Kroni i Imer, Kroni i Mihanës, Shkalla e Madhe, Shkalla e Vogël, Qelijat, Lugu Madh, Prroni i Keq, Lugu i Hanit, Lugu i Hulit, Balushat, etc.

Here lies the Illyrian-Dardan settlement of Ilashtë. A bronze axe was found, dating back to around 1500 BC. In the locality of Quka e Madhe, the remains of a large castle were found, in the Dushkaja neighborhood, in the locality of Selishtë – Katunishte, or Kujë, fragments of pottery were found.

In written documents, the charter of Tsar Dushan issued in 1348 mentions the monastery of Saint Gabriel and Michael, near Prizren, as Sinainci, with 33 houses, 17 of them large family communities, as a Vlach cattle village. The name Sinaj me Guraga is recorded in the documents of the Vilayet of Kosva from 1896.

The current inhabitants of Avidjaj, of the Krasniqe tribe, are from Toplica, while, according to the locals, the local Serbs are from the Shalë, Krasniqe and Berishë tribes, which means that they are Slavicized Orthodox. The former are related to the Shlajans of Isniq. According to another source, it is said that these families came in the 18th century from Montenegro and in 1904 a family came from Cerrca.

An Albanian family was relocated to Shkozet in Albania, near Durrës, in 1948. Statistical notes: In 19021 there were 53 houses with 302 inhabitants, in 1948 – 63 houses with 510 inhabitants, in 1981 – 77 houses with 549 inhabitants (189 Albanians, 356 Serbs, 1 Montenegrin and 2 others).

According to the Serbian census of 1991, there were 236 Serbs. In 1999 there were 36 Albanian houses and over 40 Serbian houses, almost all the houses were destroyed during the last war, first the Albanian ones, and later the Serbian ones too. The Albanian population, on the day of Eid, on March 28, 1999, was expelled to the Jablanica Mountains, then to Draga and Rozaja and from there to Ulcinj and towards Albania.

41. SYRIGANA (SUHOGËRLLA)

It lies at the foot of the mountain, about 14 km northeast of Istog. It is a hilly, clustered settlement, divided into neighborhoods.

Area: 765 hectares.

Families: Loshi, Tafaj, Kamberaj, etc.

The most characteristic micro-toponyms: Sapaq, Ara e Ali Uka (it is not known who it was), Krojet e Kishës, Guri i Madh, Rrasat, Mella, Gomuret, Hordupi, Livadhet e Epra, Lugu i Mara, Fusha e Dardhës, Varri i Gana, Lugu i Mirku, Kroni i Smajli, Kroni i Lugut, Kroni i Kamerit, Kroni i Rexha, Kroni Lluga, Ara e Xhenazës, Fierina, Beleqi, et.

From the microtoponyms collected earlier in both Syriganas (part of the Istog Municipality and part of the Skenderaj Municipality), the following microtoponyms have been recorded: Bira e Kamerit, Fusha e Dardhës, Krojet, Trelisat, Lugu i Kishës, Kujafqi, Stani i Filipit, Lugu i Djegun, Livadhi i Shtremtë, Hordup Mountain, Lugu i Madh, Lugu i Vogël, Grabina, Kostovice Mill, Gigs’ Meadow, Prokshut’s Roga, Shpella e Kuqe, Kërshi i Magariçë, Shpati i Mahallë, Gjyteti, Bunari i Madh, Tali’s Mill, Ara e Cungut, Kroni i Kadës, Nërmulli, Shevarina, Lisat e Naklës, Kërshi i Ramaës, Kërshi i Zi, Kërshi i Kopili, Livadhi Bulumbari, Kodra e Keqe, Vakufi, Zabeli i Mehës, Gomurtë, Guri i Nuses, Kroni i Bardhë, Qikave’s Cherry, Varg’s Stones, Shtjerrave’s Stones, Vidhi’s Hill, Rexhevic’s Oak, Trollishta, Tombs of the Shehits, Topuz’s Crown, Qergave’s Pear, Hut’s Oak, Tombs of the Jews, Sadiku’s Cherry, Kuqi’s Tombs, Gozhda’s Stone, Smeti’s Lluga, etc.

It is an old ancient Illyrian-Dardan settlement. It was said that it was once called Sërmogërlla, after the serm ore, which was across the Kujafq River. The castles – the courts, which are located near this place of origin, testify to the antiquity of the settlement. In this locality, even today, the foundations of the castle, in the shape of a labyrinth, traces of dozens of premises can be seen.

Carbonized wheat, rounded stones with hammers, to throw at enemies with bows or catapults have been found. Above it is Gradina, where ore was extracted and processed, similar to that of Trepca. There are molds where the molten ore was put. It was a large city, where according to legend, there were 9 weddings a day.

There are the foundations of nine churches. After the earthquakes, Gjyteti disappeared, except for the part that was in Guri. Here, on Mount Shipovnik, on a high peak of the Kujafq River Gorge, in the north, above the village, the remains of the old city, which covered an area of ​​4-5 ha, can still be seen today.

Above the village is a cave. It is mentioned at the end of the 13th century and in the 14th century as the center of the Suhogërla Province. In the charter of King Milutin (1282-1321), this settlement is first donated to the monastery in Priboj i Lim and then to that of Banjska. It is mentioned in the Christobule of Saint Stephen of 1314.

During the Ottoman Empire, it was the seat of the Suhogërla Province, which included parts of Dukagjini, Hvosna, Llapuša and Drenica, but it also had its own square. In the cadastral register of the Sanjak of Shkodra from 1485, Suhogërlla was registered as the center of the Nahija and had three neighborhoods: Tërgovishta, Ledaniqa and Zakop, which had a total of 126 houses, 13 singles and 5 widows.

Later it is mentioned in 1629 under the name Sucho Grello, in 1703 Suffogerla, in 1779 Sgrelo, etc. It is said that the entire territory, from Suhogërlla to Runik, was inhabited as a city. In the Ara e Xhenazës place, to the north, stones of former houses and human bones emerge. It is said that there was a church there. A church existed in the Loshaj neighborhood.

Even in the yard of the house of Mal Jashari, in the Tafaj neighborhood, there are traces of the church. In the mountainous part, in the Fierinë place, there are stone pipes, which are said to be from old houses. There are also traces of settlement in Beleq. The inhabitants of this settlement re-founded, or founded and populated the new settlements of Qubreli, Kastrioti, Vitaku, Radisheva, etc.

In addition to other families, 3 Kamberaj families were moved to Turkey in 1954. In 1919, several neighborhoods of the village were burned by the Serbs, the population left and for more than three years stayed among their relatives in other settlements. It is said that the village was bombarded with heavy artillery and 8 residents of the village were killed. In the other neighborhood, 10 Suhogërlas were also killed by the Municipality of Skënderaj.

Here, in the Shapie neighborhood (according to the Shapiq brothers), several Serbian families live. According to the colony register,in 1925 to 1938, 2 settler families with 11 members settled here. Statistical notes: in 1905 there were 59 houses (32 Albanians and 24 Serbs), in 1921 – 58 houses with 398 inhabitants, in 1948 – 80 houses with 603 inhabitants, in 1981 – 118 houses with 981 inhabitants (923 Albanians, 58 Serbs).

According to the Serbian census of 1991, 17 Serb inhabitants were registered. On the eve of the 1999 war, 65 Albanian families lived here. The Albanian population was expelled to Albania on March 27, 1999. Serbian forces burned all Albanian houses and all other economic facilities.

42. SHALA (SHALINOCI)

It lies about 15 km south of Istog. It is a hilly, plain settlement divided into neighborhoods.

Area 524 ha.

Neighborhoods: Zeqiraj, Bajramaj, Desku, Berbati, Kerolli, Karcelli (Hasanaj), Kovaqević, Gjurić, Shqepanpvić.

The most characteristic micro-toponyms: Stupe, Samërdan, Boka e Kuqe, Kujafqi, Kamenica, Mali i Zagraxhëve, Toka e Kapitëve, Livadhet e Thata, Kulla e Kabashëve, Shpijat e Salizeqirëve, etc. In the place Shpijat e Salizeqirëve there are traces of an old settlement. In written documents it is mentioned in 1314 in the Charter of King Saint Stephen, donated to the monastery of Banjska.

In the Ottoman Cadastral Register of the Sandžak of Shkodra, it is also mentioned under the name Shalnoviqa with 21 houses, 5 singles. As for today’s families, according to a Serbian source, it is said: in the village there are 59 studied houses – 20 old ones (which had their origin further back from Montenegro and 20 that came from Dukagjini between the two world wars, but which also have their origin from Montenegro, one from Kopaonik.

Here also live 5 Roma houses and 4 Albanian houses (three earlier, while the fourth is more recent). It is registered under the name Shanofc in the annals of the Kosovo Vilayet of 1893. The Serbian government burned many houses in 1919, when it also killed several Albanians, and the Kokaj family then fled to Albania and other parts of Kosovo.

In 1924, 20 families of Serbian and Montenegrin settlers settled in this settlement. In 1933, the Kabashi family, 3 houses, moved to Albania, in Albania, in the same year, to Rroshbull and Lushnje, 5 houses were moved Gashi, Dulaj 3 houses were moved to Albania in 1993, and the Maleshët (Ashkali) were also moved to Albania in 1933.

During the years 1941-1944, the Vërbofci family, who came from Barilaj in Prishtina, also lived here. Statistical notes: in 1921 there were 32 houses with 358 inhabitants, in 1948 – 43 houses with 230 inhabitants, in 1981 – 52 houses with 381 inhabitants, (109 Albanians, 116 Montenegrins, 42 Muslims).

According to the Serbian census of 1991, there were 102 Serbs and 93 Montenegrins here. In 1999, the village had 8 Albanian families, 4 Ashkali families and 8 Serbian and Montenegrin families. During the war, all Albanian houses were burned and destroyed, and then also the Serbian and Montenegrin. The population was deported to Montenegro and then to Albania on April 2, 1999.

43. TEDELI (VRELLA)

It lies about 7 km west of Istog. It is a settlement at the foot of the mountain and in the nearby fields, of the clustered type.

Area: 2374 ha, 16 ares, 47 m.

Families: Dreshaj; (Zymeraj, Smajlibraj, Ukëdemaj-Seferaj, Ramëisufaj and Përkiqë); Bicaj; (Shabanaj, Beqiraj, Hajdinaj), Maraj; (Haxhijaj, Ferizaj, Maxharraj), Blakaj; (Sadrijaj, Dakaj, Demaj, Hebibaj – Buleshkaj); Galanët, Mavraj, Rugovët, Berishaj and Vuthnjanët.

The most characteristic microtoponyms: Krye, Tedel, Mali i Djegun, Kërshi i Kuq, Loxhë, Lugu i Madh, Prroni i Keq, Kërshi i Rrëxum, Bira e Hutit, Shpella e Dhive, Shpella e Baruti, Shpella e Hoxhës, Kungullari, Te Krojzit, Leskovik, Gurra e Sefisë, Lugu i Shkozë, Pehari, Pajat, Korenik, Guri i Qaplës, Ahi i Pushimit, Shtrashnik, Papurina, Rydeshi, Rrahije, Shavarina, Mbi Udhat, Kroni i Meta, tër Nusës, Përrojet, Ku u murë Halil Osmani, Kodra e Dynës, Lugu i Butë, te Bira e Arushës, Lama e Dakajt, Përroni i Bicit, Ara e Ferizit, etc.

It is an old Dardanian settlement. This is evidenced by the old settlement in the form of a fortification, which is located above this village. This settlement is located on a steep hill, where the ruins of the walls can still be seen today. A complex church existed here, in addition to the sarkal building, there were also accompanying buildings, such as the dining hall, the guest houses, the water cistern and two vaulted cemeteries, constructed with bricks.

The construction technique of the church was “opus mixtum”, stone-bricks bonded with lime mortar, where in some cases pressed brick was also used. So, from this it can be concluded that this was an Illyrian-Albanian church of the 5th-6th century, where the “Church Shore” plot still exists today. A container of Roman coins was found in Vrellë, which are kept in the Archaeological Museum of Zadar and the Belgrade Museum.

According to other sources, the ancient Dardanians had built a settlement in the Krye area, and its traces are still being investigated today. In the northwest of the village there is a centuries-old fig tree, while on the edge of the Red Rock there is an old grape vine. According to tradition, the village of Krye was inhabited by the ancestors of the present-day Galans of Vrella.

There are also old cemeteries in the village, called Latin cemeteries. In written documents, it is mentioned in 1397 when Princess Milica donated it to the Decani monastery. In the cadastral register of the Sandžak of Shkodra from 1485, it is mentioned under the name Vorodka, which had 16 houses, 6 singles, and 2 widows. In another register of the Sandžak of Shkodra from 1582, it is registered under the name Vrella of the monastery of the Kaza e Pejës, with 43 houses, 14 singles, and 3 hamlets.

This place of birth is recorded on an Austrian map, compiled based on records from 1689. It is registered under the name Ivrella in the annals of the Vilayet of Kosovo from 1893. In the winter of 1913, the Serbian army imprisoned 27 men from the village of Vrella and sent them to a mill in Istog, where after torture, many of them died.

From 1928-38, according to the colony register, 53 settler families with 239 members were settled in this settlement. There are families from this village who have migrated to Syria, some families to Turkey. Statistical notes: in 1905 there were 60 houses, in 1921 – 93 houses, with 790 inhabitants, in 1948 – 147 houses with 1359 inhabitants, in 1981 – 312 houses with 2603 inhabitants (2597 Albanians, 2 Serbs, 1 Montenegrin).

Before the Serbian aggression of 1998-99 this settlement had 420 Albanian houses with about 360 inhabitants. During the war, an armed resistance of Albanians was organized here. From the barbaric Serbian attacks, 399 houses were burned, two towers of historical value, the village ambulance, the “Teuta” ambulance factory, the library with over 8,000 books, the school and the mosque were shelled and damaged.

From this settlement, 28 inhabitants were killed, of whom 7 are martyrs, while 7 people are considered missing. On April 11-14, 1999, the population left the village in the direction of Rozhaja in Montenegro and further on to Ulcinj in Albania.

44. TEMALI (KAMENICA)

It lies about 8 km southwest of Istog.

Families: Metaj and Lipaj.

The most characteristic micro-toponyms: Ura e Devollit, Orrnica, Ara e Hasan Agës, Ara mi Kullë, Ura e Delisë, Rrahi, Përtej Përronit, Livadhi i Vogël, Livadhi i Poshtër, Lisat e Ahmet Vuthit, Përroni i Kumllës, Te Mali, etc.

Until recently, it was considered a neighborhood of the village of Gurras (Sudenicë). This settlement was founded about 150 years ago, by two Gashi families coming from Drenica (Qubreli) and the Kelmendi family from Lipa e Pejës. The latter briefly fled to Albania, but after reconciliation during the time of the League of Prizren, they returned and settled here on the land of the beylers.

In 1932, several families of Slavic settlers were settled here on the land of the local population. From this locality in 1957, a family moved to Sarajevo, while in 1958, a family went to Turkey. The village has been burned three times by the Serbs, just as the Serbs burned all the houses and auxiliary buildings in 1999.

45. TOMOC

It lies about 4 km south of Istog. It is a field settlement of the clustered type.

Area: 326 ha, 29 ares, 43 m.

Neighborhoods: Isniq’s Shala (with the surname Shatri); Bregu Neighborhood (Imeraj, Selmanaj, Xhemaj, Salihaj, Bardhaj, Jabllanic); Gjocaj Neighborhood: Halitaj, Sylaj and Lulaj); Lubeniq Neighborhood; Kabash Neighborhood; Llabjan Neighborhood (Ashkali), Shabanaj, Mehaj; Kikaj Neighborhood; Rexhaj Neighborhood and two Montenegrin families – Rexhiq.

The most characteristic micro-toponyms: Jazi i Gogës, Jazi i Magjupit, Tërska, Livadhet, Bregu, Batun, Sharajevë, Poillat, Razor, Terezi, Këneta e Tomoc, etc. In the place called Gumuraqa there was an old settlement and in the place Batun in 1989 an old axe was found. In the cadastral register of Shkodra from 1485 it was registered under the name Otomaniqa with 32 houses, 5 singles and 1 widow.

Under the name Otomanc it is registered in the Sallnamet of the Vilayet of Kosovo from 1893. In the period between the two world wars, 5 families of Montenegrin settlers settled in Tomoc. In 1945 an Albanian family migrated to Albania, and another, also to Albania, went in 1948. In 1955 a family went to Australia.

In 1921 there were 50 houses with 340 inhabitants, in 1948 – 48 houses with 414 inhabitants, in 1981 – 156 houses with 1429 inhabitants (1347 Albanians, 70 Serbs, 11 Montenegrins, 1 other). According to the Serbian population census of 1991, Tomoc had 52 Serb inhabitants, 21 Yugoslavs, 11 Albanians, 22 Roma and 8 Egyptians.

The other Albanian inhabitants boycotted that census. On the eve of the Serbian aggression in 1999, the village had 190 houses with 1929 inhabitants and 10 Serbian houses with 52 inhabitants. The Serbian aggressor burned 165 houses, the village mosque was shelled, 7 people were killed, 2 KLA soldiers. The population was expelled to Montenegro and Albania during March.

46. ​​TUQEPI

It lies 12 km east of Istog. It is a hilly-mountainous settlement, of a dispersed type.

Area: 762 ha, 23 ares, 15 m.

Families: Vuković, Gërbiç, Dimiç, Gjošić, Đurović, Gjoliç, Romanović, Memarović, Šmigiç, etc.

The most characteristic toponyms: Begllak, Brod, Bunari, Përroni i Madh, Zhdrella, Zatra, Paskalica, Pojatishta, Plluzhevina, Rosule, Selishta, Topola, Qulina, etc. In written documents it is mentioned in the Christobule of King Saint Stephen and Millutin of 1314, then in the Ottoman cadastral document of Shkodra of 1485 with 50 houses, 5 singles, 2 widows. It is also registered with this name in the annals of the Vilayet of Kosovo of 1893.

During the years of colonization between the two world wars, 39 families of Serbian and Montenegrin settlers from Montenegro and Serbia settled here. In this settlement, inhabited only by Slavic families, before the Serbian and Montenegrin occupation of 1912, Albanian families also lived, but they were displaced after 1918 and there is no information about where they went.

Out of anger at the burning of Kërnina by the Serbs in 1918, Albanian gangs burned Serbian houses in Tučepi, as they burned such houses during the summer of 1999. Statistical notes: in 1921 Tučepi had 22 houses with 193 inhabitants, in 1948 – 34 houses with 259 inhabitants, in 1981 – 64 houses with 350 inhabitants, according to the Serbian census of 1991 this settlement had 323 inhabitants.

47. TRUHUBOC

It lies about 14 km south of Istog. It is a settlement divided into neighborhoods with an area of: 348 ha, 11 ares, 72 m.

Families: Mehmetaj, Cetaj, Osmanaj, Bajraktari, Blakaj, Mushaku, Hasanaj, Hasi, etc.

The most characteristic microtoponyms: Te Lisi i Kishës, Ara e Madhe, Arat e Hoxhës, Orrnica, Mi Vada, Arat e Bajraktarëve, Livadhet, zabelet e ramë Cetës, etc. Medieval cemeteries have been discovered in this settlement. In the place Te Lisi, there were old cemeteries and a Catholic church.

In the place Orrnica between the two Drini rivers, human skeletons have been discovered. In the field of Ukë Sahiti and in the field of Ramë Idrizi – Bajraktari, coins from the Byzantine period have been found, as well as various ornaments, seals, seals, ceramic waste, etc. In written documents, it is mentioned in the cadastral register of the Sandzhak of Shkodra from 1485, with 24 houses, 6 single people and 2 widows.

According to the informant, Sali Ramë Ceta, when the first inhabitants, Mehmetaj, from Isniq, came here, they found an Albanian Catholic family here, which later moved from this village. In the yearbooks of the Vilayet of Kosovo from 1900, two settlements are listed here – Tërbohovca-i Kabir and Tërbohovca-i Sagri. No Slavs have ever lived in this settlement.

Around 1905 there were 40 houses, in 1921 – 37 houses with 291 inhabitants, in 1948 – 36 houses with 333 inhabitants, in 1981 – 75 houses with 830 inhabitants. At the end of 1998 there were nearly 100 houses with 750 Albanian inhabitants. Serbian forces destroyed and burned 62 houses, 3 inhabitants were killed, of which 2 martyrs and a young man was massacred. On May 8, 1999, the population was expelled towards Montenegro and Albania.

48. THANA (LUBOVA)

It lies about 18 km southwest of Istog, at the entrance to Baja. It is a settlement divided into neighborhoods.

Families: Ademaj, Haxhijaj, Kajtazaj, Hajdinaj, Hajdaj, Morina, several Ashkali and Bosniak families.

The most characteristic microtoponyms: Lisi i Zojës, Kroni i Bekës, Arat e Bashit, Arat e Qarrit, Arat në Breg, Kroni i Mirë, Arat mi Shpi, Arat e Gata, rrahije, etc. In the place Lisi i Zojës there are traces of old cemeteries, said to be Illyrian-Albanian cemeteries. There was also an old church there.

In the locality Arat në Breg there are traces of old foundation stones of houses, ceramics, etc. It is said that 600 years ago 4 families, brothers, came from Kolgecaj. Two of them settled in Albë (jablanica in Peja, one in Shala (Shalinovicë) and one in Lubovë, Ymeri, from which the present settlement was created.

In 1920, Lubovë had the following families: 3 Kajtazi families, 3 Ademaj, 1 Hajredinaj, 1 other Hajredinaj family, cousins, who came from Nokshiqi and 1 Morina family, also from there. In 1912, the Serbian raja of Peja and the Raciqs of Prekala plundered Lubovë. It is said that the Raciqs are of Albanian origin – Racaj.

In the period between the two world wars, 84 families of settlers settled in Lubovë, mainly in Lubovë e Poshtme, which was more or less connected to the other Serbian colony in Dobrushë. The first Bosnian residents settled here in 1951. In 1941, the Albanians baptized Lubovë with the name Bukureshë.

Notes:

Statistical data: In 1921 there were 21 houses with 221 inhabitants, in 1948 – 81 houses with 469 inhabitants, in 1981 – 142 houses with 1091 inhabitants (623 Albanians, 4 Serbs, 146 Montenegrins, 318 Muslims (Bosnians). According to the Serbian census of 1991, Lubova had 6 Serbs, 67 Montenegrins, 227 Muslims, 1 Roma, 23 Egyptians. At the beginning of 1999, this settlement had 75 Albanian houses, 14 Montenegrin and Serbian houses, 14 Bosnian houses, 2 Ashkali houses.

The Serbian forces burned all the Albanian houses (only one survived and 4 others were not repaired). Later, all the houses of Serbs and Montenegrins were also destroyed. During the war, one Albanian leader was killed and one is missing. Several valuable towers were also destroyed. cultural and historical. The inhabitants were expelled on March 27, 1999, once towards Montenegro, and then to Albania.

49. UÇA

It lies about 16 km east of Istog, at the foot of the mountains. It is a hilly-mountainous settlement, divided into neighborhoods.

Area: 1866 ha, 66 ares, 32 m.

Neighborhoods: Sylajt (Ymeraj, Hysenaj, Haxhijaj); Ferataj, Hajzeraj, Alidemaj, Salizlamaj (Kajtazi, Arifaj, Myrtaj, Balaj), Selmanaj, Behlulaj, Muzlijaj, Bajraktarët, etc.

The most characteristic microtoponyms: Maja e Madhe, Kroni i Bardhë, Kroni i Ftofë, Kroni i Mehmet Dema, Kërshat e Verdhë, Kroni i Shejtit, Jezeri çe flet, Jezeri me üze, Përroni i Moknës, Kodra e Keqe, Kroni i Rupe, Krojet e Kqëqija (Krojet e Bekë Salihi), Kërshi, Lipa, Kroni i Lipe, Kurilla, Kërshi i Sharraxhive, Kërshat e Blinave, Fuha e Madhe, Arat në Bria, Arat mi katun, Arat e Gata, Fanxhe, Smonica, rrahina, Vorret e Mëdha, etc. Above the village there are some very old cemeteries that it is not known who they belong to, nor what time they are from.

In written documents, it is mentioned in the charter of King Urosh I Nemanja issued between 1254 and 1264. In the Soman document of the Sandzak of Shkodra from 1485, this settlement is mentioned with 15 houses and 3 bachelors. This settlement is registered under the name Uca in the annals of the Vilayet of Kosovo from 1893 and 1900.

This settlement has suffered greatly from Serbian barbarism. In the winter of 1912, the gangs of Milić Kërstić and gendarmes gathered 28 selected people from the Istog district and locked them in the Gjurić mill in Istog. These selected Albanians were beaten to death, and even had their heads crushed with millstones until they died.

Among them were also men from Uca. On July 17, 1920, the Serbs took 9 people and locked them in a tower where they burned them alive, then burned and looted the village. When Serbia returned to Kosovo, in 1918 new crimes occurred.

Thus. “Kosovo” of Constanta, Romania, in 1932 wrote: “In the village of Uça, the Serbs captured Murat Rexhep Selman with 8 friends and sent them to a tower in Kovragë. They tied his hands and feet, locked him inside and set fire to the tower, burning them alive. Then they returned and burned and looted the village”.

In 1923, a family of settlers with 5 members was colonized, other Serbian families had come, one from Rakoši originating from Kuršumli, the other in 1953, came from Kolasin i Ibar. During this time and until the end of the communist and partisan violence from the beginning of the 60s, more than 70 people have suffered from this settlement.

Due to the violence of the Serbian government, many families have moved from this settlement to Albania and Turkey. In 1924, the Halitaj family left for Albania with 25 members, half of whom died on the way. They settled in Katundi e Ri, near Durrës. The family of Ferat Bardhi in 1920 also moved to Rroshbull in Albania, the family of Sali Idrizi went to Albania in 1918.

The families of Ramadan Hyseni and Ibish Tal also went and settled in Albania at that time. Three brothers of the Smajlaj family in 1956 moved to Turkey. Statistical notes: According to the guide J. Muller, in 1838 Uça had 10 houses with 50 inhabitants, in 1918 there were 60 Albanian families with 700 inhabitants, in 1948 – 83 houses with 725 inhabitants, in 1981 – 124 houses with 1160 inhabitants (1147 Albanians, 13 Serbs).

According to the Serbian census of 1991, this settlement had 17 Serbs. At the beginning of 1999 there were about 150 houses. The Serbian aggressor burned and destroyed all the houses along with the auxiliary buildings, only the school and the village mosque survived, which were damaged.

Two people were burned, one martyr was killed in Koshare. Before the war, in defense of the Albanian school, on January 31, 1992, three inhabitants of this village were killed. On March 27, 1999, the population abandoned the village and settled in Fushe e Madhe.They stayed there for a few days, then went to Rozhaja, and from there to Ulcinj and Albania. Some stayed in the Vojdoll mountains.

50. VERRINI (VERIQI)

It lies about 8-9 km southeast of Istog. It is a field settlement, divided into neighborhoods. It stretches 1.5 km along the Peja-Mitrovicë main road.

Area: 628 ha, 94 ares, 08 m.

Families: Haxhijaj, Boletini, Geci, Kaqkini, Balaj, Dakaj, Delijaj, Muslijaj, Sylkaj, Igrishta, Ibrahimaj, Loshi, Bushi, Ramaj, etc., the Bosniak neighborhood: Bahtillovic, Baushic, and Kujovic, as well as some Serbian and Montenegrin families.

The most characteristic microtoponyms: Qerhane, Bakqina, Kalugjerovica, Karaulla, Trojan, Qesta, Arrnica, Makva, Kuka, Joshe, Kodra e Jaklinës, Bllakaq, Llojze, Drejana, Shushica, etc. is an old settlement, perhaps even Illyrian-Dardan. In the place Kallugjerovica a mound with a diameter of 15 and a height of about 1.2 meters was found.

Near the former church, remains of construction material were found. On the mountain above the village there are old cemeteries with crude stone crosses. On one cross a knight on horseback is carved. In written documents it is mentioned in the Christobule of Saint Stephen of King Milutin in 1316 and in the charter of Tsar Dushan of 1348.

It is also mentioned in the Ottoman cadastral document of the Sandzak of Shkodra from 1485 with 21 houses, 4 singles, 3 widows. After the expulsion of Albanians from the Sandzak of Niš, in 1877-78, the Albanian brotherhood, Muhaxhir, Igrishta, settled here. This family had once lived in Shala of Bajgora, and from there it came to Veriq.

Serbian and Montenegrin settlers began to settle here after 1925. 62 families of Slavic settlers were settled between the two world wars. During the Azem Bejta war, the Dakaj family property was burned. In 1924, Fetah Veriq emigrated to Albania.

Statistical notes: In 1903, there were 12 Serbian houses, the Albanian population was not registered. In 1921 – 21 houses with 155 inhabitants, in 1948 – 65 houses with 334 inhabitants, in 1981 – 76 houses with 554 inhabitants (211 Albanians, 129 Serbs, 5 Montenegrins, 186 Muslims, 23 others).

At the beginning of 1999 there were 75 Albanian houses, 15 Ashkali houses, 16 Serbian and Montenegrin houses. All Albanian houses were burned and destroyed, then also Serbian and Montenegrin ones. A 13-year-old child was killed. Veriqi i Ri (New Veriqi) was formed after the First World War in the southern part of the Veriq plot, with Serbian and Montenegrin settlers.

About 60 families of settlers were settled here, who during the Second World War fled to their homelands in Serbia and Montenegro, but after this war a good number of them returned. Albanians began to settle here in 1954, the Hajzeri family from Qubreli in Drenica, then the Rrahmani families arrived.

Statistical notes: in 1948 there were 28 houses, with 131 inhabitants, in 1981 – 3 with 19 Albanian inhabitants. During the war, these houses were destroyed, two inhabitants were killed, one a martyr. Now it is not considered a separate settlement, but within Veriq.

51. VERRISHTA (LUGA)

It lies about 6 km south of Istog. Surface area: 231 ha, 20 ares, 32 m.

Families: Balaj, Hysenaj, Zekaj, Hajdinaj, Metalijaj, Camademaj, Shabanhajdaraj, Kuklecaj, Iberdemaj, Imeraj, Blakaj, Sejdaj, Përgjegaj, Meshi (Morinë), etc.

The most characteristic micro-toponyms: Ara nër Dardhë, Orrnica, Zabeli, Bashkallaku, Livadhi i Bojkut, (from Isniq), Shavarina, Lutecet, etc. Between the Metalijaj and Hajdinaj neighborhoods, there are old cemeteries whose identity is unknown. It is believed that they are early Albanian, Catholic cemeteries.

This locality is called Shavaret e Isniqit, because the Isniqs used them as pastures for their cattle. Today, this settlement is also called Llugat e Isniqit. It was formed as a settlement 150-200 years ago with residents coming from Isniq of Decani. Between the two world wars, the government of the time settled two families of settlers here.

Statistical notes: in 1921 there were 21 houses with 226 inhabitants, in 1948 – 34 houses with 321 inhabitants, in 1981 – 60 houses with 620 Albanian inhabitants. Before the Serbian aggression in 1998-99 this settlement had 126 houses with 887 inhabitants. The aggressors burned 49 houses, killed 4 people, of whom a man and a woman were massacred and thrown into a well, and a teacher was martyred. On March 27, 1999 the population was deported to Albania and Montenegro.

52. ZALLÇI

It lies about 12 km southeast of Istog.

Area: 1050 ha, 85 ares, 53 m.

Families: Shalaj, Ukaj, Ibrahimaj, Kelmendi, Mulaku, as well as some Ashkali, Serbian and Montenegrin families until the last war.

The most characteristic microtoponyms: Kuklica, Gjelbëzina, livadhet e Thata, tërret e Türqve, Kodra, tërret e Nuse, Shpati, Vorret e Shkive, Ura e Gurit, etc. In the place Kodra it is seen that there are traces of the old settlement. A large jar was found in the Shala neighborhood. Near this village, over the Istog River, there is a bridge with characteristic stone ornaments built in the 18th century, however, as it turns out, this bridge is built on the constructions of a much older bridge.

In written documents it is mentioned in the annals of the Vilajet of Shodra and Kosovo. In 1878, immigrant families from the sandjak of Niš settled here, such as the Dragidellët, Obrajdët, Sogojevët, Zagragjët. From this settlement between 1917 and 1945, many families moved, including the Sogojevs, Dragidells, Obrazhdas, Kapiti, Zagragjas, and Shalas, who moved to Albania and Kosovo.

The newspaper “Kosovo” of Constanta wrote that in May 1922, the Serbian gendarmerie killed Islam Zagraxha with 15 friends and burned 13 houses in Zallc. Statistical notes: in 1905 there were 14 Albanian and 8 Serbian houses, in 1921 – 98 houses with 593 inhabitants, in 1948 – 93 houses with 542 inhabitants, in 1981 – 124 houses with 868 inhabitants (251 Albanians, 195 Serbs, 81 Montenegrins, 327 Muslims, 14 others).

In 1998 the village had 140 houses with 1250 inhabitants, of whom 830 were Albanians, 170 Serbs, and 250 Ashkali. The Serbian aggressor burned 19 Albanian houses, the village ambulance, and part of the school’s documentation. Five people were killed (an old man, 2 children around 10 years old, two young women). The population was expelled to Albania on May 8, 1999.

Source

Taken from the book by Dr. Jusuf Osmani: “Settlement of Kosovo – Source (Istogu)”. Prepared for publication: Rrustem Rugova