Discovery by Damir Dibra. Published and translated by Petrit Latifi.
This document from the Istorijski zapisi (Historical Records) of Montenegro contains a letter from the Kuçi tribe (Kuči or Kuqi) sent to the Duke of the Repulic of Venice, where the letter is signed as “from all our brothers of the Albanian nation”. This means that the Kuci tribe identified as Albaninas and not as Slavic, Serb or Montenegrin.
Transcribed:
“II. THREE DOCUMENTS FROM DIFFERENT TIMES
- A Letter from the Chiefs of the Kuči to the Venetian Republic, 1708
We humbly present to the lords of Venice and all of honor and praise, and we offer proper and humble bowing from us, Voivode Petar Iliković and Voivode Dreka, and the other chiefs, from all our brothers(?) of the Albanian nation.
And in a few hundred years, we have voluntarily and faithfully served and serve your serene authority, shedding our blood for our loss of lives and for the welfare of our service, always faithfully for your majesty, from whom we have been generously rewarded and determined by your command…”
Reference
Istorijski zapisi (Historical Records). Cetinje: Istorijski institut Crne Gore (Historical Institute of Montenegro). ISSN 0021‑2652. Journal.
