by Γεωργιος Ντουνης
Summary
In April 1847, Zeinel Gioni Lekka from Koutsi (Himara) led an anti-Ottoman revolution in southern Albania. A significant letter signed by 47 Muslim Albanian beys and agas from regions including Kurvelesh, Vlorë, Delvinë, Malakastra, and Tepelenë requested union or protection from the Kingdom of Greece under King Otto. The document, bearing seals from prominent local leaders (many bearing village surnames), highlights the strong nationalist sentiments and desire for liberation from Ottoman rule among the Muslim Arvanite population of Lower Albania in the mid-19th century.
REVOLUTION OF ZINEL GIONI LEKKA, 1847
The revolution took place in April 1847, led by Zeinel Gionis Lekkas (also known as Gionis Lekkas) from Koutsi, Himara, against the Turkish/Ottoman state.
The letter of the Beys and Agas of Kurvelesh, Vlorë/Avlona, Filiates, Paramythia, and Përmet is of great importance, as they requested “Union” or protection from the Greek Kingdom under King Otto.
Let us see how many Muslim beys and agas there were among the Arvanites of Southern Greece… (we will analyze this later).
From the letter:
(… followed by 47 seals of Beys and Agas of Lower Albania …)
“Here are the upper seals as guarantees of our region. Observe them well and we respond with full guarantee for your safety and protection.”
The letter was signed by Albanians (Liaps, Tosks, and Cham) — beys and agas — in 1847. By studying their names, we see that the final surname usually indicates the village they come from.
Here are some of the names of the villages and towns that existed at that time in the region (from P. Aravantinos’ Chronography of Epirus, 1856):
Names of the Beys and Agas who signed:
- 1847, August 15, Kaza of Kurvelesh, Delvina Sanjak
Zenel Gioulekas / Gion Lekkas
Jalil Aga / Celliopitsaris … (Pitsari)
Sheikh of Bouliusis, Muharim Belioulis, Abdul Bay Kokkas, Liulian Tsaparis, Muhammed Selmani, and many others (full list includes names such as Osman Koutsis, Muhammad Abbazi, Aliko Hontas, Mane Bekiris, Dervish Kalaraty, Mustafa Braimis, Ahmed Dinos, Salem Aga Vliora, Metzan Aga Vliora, etc.)
The signatories came from villages including: Kanina, Mavrovë, Liopesi, Fratar, Pestani, Malakastra, Berat, Tepelenë, Delvinë, and many more.
Population figures mentioned:
Upper Malakastra 1,388; Lower Malakastra 291; Berat 700; Tepelenë 4,500; Kaza of Vlorë 4,500; Kaza of Delvinë etc.
