Pretash Zeka Ulaj
Encyclopedia
Pretash Zeka Ulaj is one of the most prominent Albanian
heroes of the 1911 Battle of Deçiq
(Battle of Dečić), near Tuzi
, in which Albanians
defeated the Turks
. He was the leader of the Koja e Kuçit
tribe, an Albanian enclave within the Kuči
mountain of Malësia
in what is today within Montenegro.
On April 6, 1911, the Malesore fighters led by Ded Gjo Luli
reached the top of the strategic peak of Deçiq at the Battle of Deçiq
. Many died that day, but after the battle the Ottomans were finally defeated, Pretash Zeka Ulaj raised the Flag of Albania
after 442 years of occupation. This was the first time Albanians raised their Flag since the Castle of Shkodër had fallen in 1469.
About a year and a half later, the Albanian Flag was risen officially in the southern town of Vlora.
against advancing Turks and Slavs into the Albanian Malësia
region.
Albanians
Albanians are a nation and ethnic group native to Albania and neighbouring countries. They speak the Albanian language. More than half of all Albanians live in Albania and Kosovo...
heroes of the 1911 Battle of Deçiq
Battle of Deçiq
The Battle of Deçiq marked the beginning of the turning point for Albanian liberty. It was in this battle that the Flag of Albania was raised for the first time after 442 years of Ottoman occupation...
(Battle of Dečić), near Tuzi
Tuzi
Tuzi is a town in the Podgorica municipality, Montenegro, located along a main road between the city of Podgorica and the Albanian border crossing, just a few kilometers north of Lake Skadar. The exact location of Tuzi is...
, in which Albanians
Albanians
Albanians are a nation and ethnic group native to Albania and neighbouring countries. They speak the Albanian language. More than half of all Albanians live in Albania and Kosovo...
defeated the Turks
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
. He was the leader of the Koja e Kuçit
Koja e Kuçit
Koja e Kuçit is considered one of the seven Northern Albanian tribes of Malësia. Koja is the Albanian Catholic tribe of Koja e Kuçit, the name derived from a combination of the Albanian Koja clan, within the Kuči mountain. The people of this tribe are said to be descendants of the tribe of Kelmend....
tribe, an Albanian enclave within the Kuči
KUCI
KUCI is a college radio station broadcasting a Variety format. Licensed to Irvine, California, USA, the station serves the Orange County area...
mountain of Malësia
Malësia
Malësia or Malësia e Madhe, is a historical geographical region in northern Albania and eastern Montenegro. It consists of an area of land that stretches from the southeast of Podgorica to northern shores of Lake Scutari, and includes much of the Malësi e Madhe District of Albania...
in what is today within Montenegro.
On April 6, 1911, the Malesore fighters led by Ded Gjo Luli
Ded Gjo Luli
Ded Gjo Luli formally known as Dedë Gjon Luli Dedvukaj , was born in Traboin-Hoti . He hails from the tribe of Hot located in the region of Malësia...
reached the top of the strategic peak of Deçiq at the Battle of Deçiq
Battle of Deçiq
The Battle of Deçiq marked the beginning of the turning point for Albanian liberty. It was in this battle that the Flag of Albania was raised for the first time after 442 years of Ottoman occupation...
. Many died that day, but after the battle the Ottomans were finally defeated, Pretash Zeka Ulaj raised the Flag of Albania
Flag of Albania
The national flag of Albania is a red flag with a silhouetted black double-headed eagle in the centre. It is the only red and black flag of a recognised sovereign state....
after 442 years of occupation. This was the first time Albanians raised their Flag since the Castle of Shkodër had fallen in 1469.
About a year and a half later, the Albanian Flag was risen officially in the southern town of Vlora.
Family Legacy
Pretash Zeka, was the second oldest of the 12 sons of Zek Nika Ulaj. The 11 remaining sons of Zek Nika defended their border town Koja e KuçitKoja e Kuçit
Koja e Kuçit is considered one of the seven Northern Albanian tribes of Malësia. Koja is the Albanian Catholic tribe of Koja e Kuçit, the name derived from a combination of the Albanian Koja clan, within the Kuči mountain. The people of this tribe are said to be descendants of the tribe of Kelmend....
against advancing Turks and Slavs into the Albanian Malësia
Malësia
Malësia or Malësia e Madhe, is a historical geographical region in northern Albania and eastern Montenegro. It consists of an area of land that stretches from the southeast of Podgorica to northern shores of Lake Scutari, and includes much of the Malësi e Madhe District of Albania...
region.