Progonat
Encyclopedia
Progonat is a village
in Kurvelesh municipality, Tepelenë District
, Gjirokastër County
. It is the largest village of upper Kurvelesh
and until 1992 was the administrative center of the commune.
of Yusuf Bey, an Ottoman sipahi
. However, in 1432 as in other regions of Albania the local population revolted under Gjergj Arianiti, while Yusuf Bey was killed during the battles. During the 17th century many families migrated from Progonat to other areas of Albania in order to avoid heavy taxation and the Islamization campaigns of the Ottoman Empire. The migrants founded the communes of Lazarat
in Gjirokastër
and Progër
in Devoll
, while another group settled in the Albanian Riviera
.
In 1847 the population revolted
against the Ottomans and in Progonat, one of the first areas that joined the rebels the Ottoman officials were evicted. In 1854 volunteers from Progonat under Alem Toto fought against the Greek troops that had attacked the region around Ioannina
. In 1878 82 volunteers under Bejo Gani as part of the Kurvelesh volunteer forces victoriously fought against another Greek landing near Lëkurës
. In 1908 the club Arbëria was founded in Progonat by Shaqo Buxo and Arif Toto, local activists of the Albanian National Awakening. In 1910 the Ottoman authorities banned the organization, but it continued its activities covertly. In 1911-2 during the general revolt that led to the Albanian Declaration of Independence
under Shaqo Buxo the Ottoman officials were again evicted.
During the Balkan Wars
the village was burnt and the population fled to the vicinity of Vlorë
. In 1916 the villagers returned to Progonat and the rebuilding of the village began. In 1920 two platoon
s from Progonat under Neki Daci and Musto Buxo participated in the Vlora War
as part of the Kurvelesh battalion. In June 5–6 Neki Beco's platoon, which consisted of 60 volunteers took part in the capture of Tepelenë, while Buxo's 30-man platoon at the same time attacked the Italian garrison of Kotë
. After the war eight of the platoons' soldiers were decorated for acts of bravery. In 1924 Progonat supported the overthrow of the monarchy and Fan Noli's government and volunteer platoons from the village fought in Ndroq
and Kozarë.
Progonat sustained heavy damages during WWII as it was burnt several times. In July 1942 the National Liberation Movement (LNÇ) council of Progonat headed by Felek Lelo and Musa Kërma was founded, followed by Communist and Anti-fascist Youth organizations. By the end of the year the village's 70-troop platoon had been also founded. The other major resistance organization founded its councils in 1943 under the leadership of Ismail Golemi. After WWII the village was rebuilt and the arable land expanded.
Villages of Albania
-County:*Villages of Berat County*Villages of Dibër County*Villages of Durrës County*Villages of Elbasan County*Villages of Fier County*Villages of Gjirokastër County*Villages of Korçë County*Villages of Kukës County*Villages of Lezhë County...
in Kurvelesh municipality, Tepelenë District
Tepelenë District
The District of Tepelenë is one of the thirty-six districts of Albania, part of Gjirokastër County. It has a population of 23,800 , and an area of 817 km². It is in the south of the country, and its capital is Tepelenë...
, Gjirokastër County
Gjirokastër County
Gjirokastër County is one of the 12 counties of Albania. It consists of the districts Gjirokastër, Përmet, and Tepelenë and its capital is Gjirokastër. Its population includes a substantial Greek minority. To the southeast, Gjirokastër shares a border with Greece...
. It is the largest village of upper Kurvelesh
Kurvelesh (region)
Kurvelesh is a region in southern Albania, within the Southern Mountain Range....
and until 1992 was the administrative center of the commune.
History
First attested in the Ottoman register of 1432, the village at that time was documented to have six houses, but the population is considered to have been larger. Progonat was part of the timarTimar
Timar is a land granted by the Ottoman sultans between the fourteenth and sixteenth centuries, with a tax revenue annual value of less than 20 000 akçes. The revenues produced from land acted as compensation for military service. A Timar holder was known as a Timariot...
of Yusuf Bey, an Ottoman sipahi
Sipahi
Sipahi was the name of several Ottoman cavalry corps...
. However, in 1432 as in other regions of Albania the local population revolted under Gjergj Arianiti, while Yusuf Bey was killed during the battles. During the 17th century many families migrated from Progonat to other areas of Albania in order to avoid heavy taxation and the Islamization campaigns of the Ottoman Empire. The migrants founded the communes of Lazarat
Lazarat
Lazarat is a municipality in the Gjirokastër District, Gjirokastër County, southern Albania. The municipality consists of the villages Lazarat and Kordhocë....
in Gjirokastër
Gjirokastër District
The District of Gjirokastër is one of the thirty-six districts of Albania. It has a population of 56,720 containing a large Greek minority, and an area of 1,137 km². It is in the south of the country, and its capital is Gjirokastër...
and Progër
Progër
Progër is a municipality in the Devoll District, Korçë County, southeastern Albania. The municipality consists of the villages Progër, Mançurisht, Cangonj, Pilur, Vranisht, Bickë, Rakickë and Shyec....
in Devoll
Devoll District
The District of Devoll is one of the thirty-six districts of Albania, part of Korçë County and derives its name from the Devoll river flowing through the valley. It has a population of 33,785, and an area of 429 km². It is in the southeastern corner of the country, and its capital is Bilisht...
, while another group settled in the Albanian Riviera
Albanian Riviera
Albanian Riviera is a coastal area in the County of Vlorë running along the Ionian Sea under the Ceraunian Mountains in Southern Albania. It should not be confused with the Albanian Coastline as a whole which incorporates both the Riviera and the mostly flat coastline of the north...
.
In 1847 the population revolted
Albanian Revolt of 1847
The Albanian Revolt of 1847 was a 19th century uprising in southern Albania directed against Ottoman Tanzimat reforms which started in 1839 and were gradually being put in action in the regions of Albania. One of the characteristics of the uprising was the absence of known bey families among its...
against the Ottomans and in Progonat, one of the first areas that joined the rebels the Ottoman officials were evicted. In 1854 volunteers from Progonat under Alem Toto fought against the Greek troops that had attacked the region around Ioannina
Ioannina
Ioannina , often called Jannena within Greece, is the largest city of Epirus, north-western Greece, with a population of 70,203 . It lies at an elevation of approximately 500 meters above sea level, on the western shore of lake Pamvotis . It is located within the Ioannina municipality, and is the...
. In 1878 82 volunteers under Bejo Gani as part of the Kurvelesh volunteer forces victoriously fought against another Greek landing near Lëkurës
Lëkurës
Lëkurës is a village in the Sarandë District, Vlorë County, southwestern Albania....
. In 1908 the club Arbëria was founded in Progonat by Shaqo Buxo and Arif Toto, local activists of the Albanian National Awakening. In 1910 the Ottoman authorities banned the organization, but it continued its activities covertly. In 1911-2 during the general revolt that led to the Albanian Declaration of Independence
Albanian Declaration of Independence
The Albanian Declaration of Independence is the declaration of independence of the Albanian Vilayet from the Ottoman Empire. Albania was proclaimed independent in Vlorë on November 28, 1912.-Background:...
under Shaqo Buxo the Ottoman officials were again evicted.
During the Balkan Wars
Balkan Wars
The Balkan Wars were two conflicts that took place in the Balkans in south-eastern Europe in 1912 and 1913.By the early 20th century, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Greece and Serbia, the countries of the Balkan League, had achieved their independence from the Ottoman Empire, but large parts of their ethnic...
the village was burnt and the population fled to the vicinity of Vlorë
Vlorë
Vlorë is one of the biggest towns and the second largest port city of Albania, after Durrës, with a population of about 94,000 . It is the city where the Albanian Declaration of Independence was proclaimed on November 28, 1912...
. In 1916 the villagers returned to Progonat and the rebuilding of the village began. In 1920 two platoon
Platoon
A platoon is a military unit typically composed of two to four sections or squads and containing 16 to 50 soldiers. Platoons are organized into a company, which typically consists of three, four or five platoons. A platoon is typically the smallest military unit led by a commissioned officer—the...
s from Progonat under Neki Daci and Musto Buxo participated in the Vlora War
Vlora War
The Vlora War or the War of 1920 was a series of battles between an Italian forces garrisoned throughout Vlorë region and Albanian patriots divided in small groups of fighters. The war lasted three months and had great impact in the struggle of Albania for the safeguard of its territories at a...
as part of the Kurvelesh battalion. In June 5–6 Neki Beco's platoon, which consisted of 60 volunteers took part in the capture of Tepelenë, while Buxo's 30-man platoon at the same time attacked the Italian garrison of Kotë
Kotë
Kotë is a municipality in the Vlorë District, Vlorë County, southwestern Albania. The municipality consists of the villages Kotë, Gumeicë, Hysoverdhë, Lapardha, Mavrovë, Mazhar, Vajzë, Vodicë, Shkallë Mavrovë and Drashovicë....
. After the war eight of the platoons' soldiers were decorated for acts of bravery. In 1924 Progonat supported the overthrow of the monarchy and Fan Noli's government and volunteer platoons from the village fought in Ndroq
Ndroq
Ndroq is a municipality near Tirana, the capital of Albania. It is part of Tirana District and Tirana County. The village's population is estimated to be around 5,000 inhabitants....
and Kozarë.
Progonat sustained heavy damages during WWII as it was burnt several times. In July 1942 the National Liberation Movement (LNÇ) council of Progonat headed by Felek Lelo and Musa Kërma was founded, followed by Communist and Anti-fascist Youth organizations. By the end of the year the village's 70-troop platoon had been also founded. The other major resistance organization founded its councils in 1943 under the leadership of Ismail Golemi. After WWII the village was rebuilt and the arable land expanded.