Aromanians in North Macedonia

[2] The Aromanians are also identified under various names in different languages, often the word for shepherd,[3] such as Ulah in Turkish, Çoban in Albanian, Tschobani or Vlachoi in Greek, Cincar or Vlasi in Serbian,[1] and Koustovlahs.

[10] The Aromanians are a unique ethno-linguistic group with their own culture and language, who have existed for over two thousand years in the Balkan peninsula.

[11] They were, for centuries, considered a traditional mountain people and the word Vlach became synonymous with animal husbandry and herdsmanship throughout the Balkans.

Many Aromanians who fled from Moscopole and the nearby mountainous Gramos region also helped develop Kruševo (Crushuva) and Bitola (Bituli, Bitule) into large, prosperous cities.

[13] Wealthier Aromanians established themselves in Bitola and Štip (Shtip) as innkeepers, artisans, caravan traders and merchants.

Other settlements with significant Aromanian population in the second half of 19th century were: Nižepole, Malovište, Resen, Jankovec, Ohrid, Struga, Dolna Belica, Gorna Belica, Drenok, Modrič, Vevčani, Višni, Podgorci, Labuništa, Prilep, Gradešnica, Bešište, Budimirci, Kičevo, Veles, and Bogomila, and in fewer numbers in the regions of Skopje, Kočani, Kumanovo, and Gostivar.

The Prime Minister of the Republic was Dinu Vangel [fr; mk; rup], with other Aromanians occupying high administrative positions too.

Another notable Aromanian who participated was the heroic Pitu Guli who was killed on the Mečkin Kamen (Bear's Rock).

Aromanians who lived in what is now known as North Macedonia were subject to strict Serbianization along with the rest of the population.

[citation needed] After the Declaration of Independence from Yugoslavia, Aromanians were officially recognised as a minority group.

[citation needed] The Aromanians are an officially recognised minority group in North Macedonia under the name "Vlachs".

Aromanian-language media is available, and regular television and radio broadcasts in the Aromanian language help to ensure its survival.