Rugova (region)

Rugova is an ethnographically diverse region, with great importance for the literary branches of lexicology, etymology and onomastics.

[2] Rugova is rich with many landform elements such as caves, waterfalls, glacial lakes, high peaks, and tunnels.

The term "Rugovë" derives from the word "rrugë" which means "street", as a lot of very important roads have crossed this region.

For example, the village of Dugave (now part of Zagreb) is derived from the word duka ("duke", Latin: dux);[dubious – discuss] Kuqishtë is named after the red rocks and stones that can be found in this area;[dubious – discuss][citation needed] Reka e Allagës is derived from a noble in the region of Rožaje, and Stankaj from Stank Nika, who was very famous.

[citation needed][dubious – discuss] The incursions of Slavic, and later, Ottoman, conquerors has meant many places have changed names over the centuries, as the power of various empires grew and waned.

[5] The region of Rugova is divided into 13 villages (Shtupeqi i Vogël, Shtupeqi i Madh, Reka e Allagës, Drelaj, Pepaj, Malaj, Kuqishtë, Dugaivë, Haxhaj, Stankaj, Bogë, Shkrel dhe Koshutan) and five small neighbourhoods (Llaz, Bellopaq, Pecaj, Ujëmirë, Dreshaj).

[6] Rugova has a wet, continental climate that is influenced by the mountains, short and hot summers, and long and harsh winters.

[7] Rugova has a multitude of habitats such as meadows and pastures, subalpine and alpine scrub brush, forest oak, beech and coniferous trees, foothills, pit slopes, streams and ravines, river water, fountain wells, caves, karst pits, wet soil, limestone, acids with red, purple, and black acid[clarification needed translation], coastlines, massive rocks, and shed stones.

Herbaceous plants include Tërfil (Clover), Vjollcë (Violet), vetch (Vicia), Flokëzi, sweet-clover (Melilotus), and Zhabinat.

Coniferous forests are dense, and the plant cover is composed of kserofile (xerophyte) vegetation that favours fungi growth.

The main species are: The types of vegetation are: Campanula foliosa is a perennial plant that grows in subalpine meadows and forests.

At the ninth kilometer is the area where an avalanche started, from Bjeshka e Lumbardhit, crossed the river Mbushtria, and blocked the road with 6–8 m (20–26 ft) snow.

Following the rejection of the Young Turk revolution in 1908, Rugovians found themselves facing the Ottoman army which was equipped with 24 cannons.

During these years, 410 Rugovian houses were burned, and citizens joined the Kaçak movement[17] Rugova was under the control of Italy during World War II.

In Rugova, the Albanian Anti-Communist National-Democratic party was formed by the mayor, Sylë Mehmeti, who died in prison in Yugoslavia.

Similarly, during the Kosovo War, Rugova played a major role in sheltering those who were left homeless, and were seeking for a way to get into Montenegro and Albania.

Ethnically, Rugova is a pure area with a population of approximately 100 inhabitants known as Gheg Albanians who came from Kelmend (Malësia e Madhe).

The sons of Nikë Deda came to the land of Rugova, and they gave the villages names that reflected their origins, such as Drelaj from Dreli, Stankaj from Stank, Pepaj (Pepiq) from Pepi, Nokshiq from Noku.

The tribal organization of Rugova had changed little since medieval times since the only law was the Kanun of Lek Dukagjini, codified in the 15th century, which governed the entire lifestyle.

House-like towers held 50–70 members, and each house had its own family background which determined how they were treated by society, whether with great honour or humiliation.

Rugovian nights were characterized by gatherings of men in oda (chambers) where traditional games were played and songs were sung to instruments such as the lahuta and çiftelia.

These women were called burrnesha; they changed their names, did not marry, attended odas, and led their families, similar to the Amazons of mythology.

Men wear white woolen pants (tirqi) with a caul, sash, vest and a black tunic (xhurdi).

The Korybantes prevented Cronus from finding the place where his son, Zeus, was hidden, by clashing their swords to cover the cries of the baby.

[41] For a long period of time, education was in the Serbian language, a component of the assimilation pursued by the communists and, later, the Yugoslav government.

Despite these obstacles, the desire for learning was always present, and classes were held outdoors or in private homes until 1930, when the first elementary school was built in Kuqishte.

The high school, Perparimi, had its own magazine called Gurra in Albanian, which examined the problems that Kosovo faced during that period.

Many factors have combined to promote tourism: the mountain climate; the area's natural beauty; the varied flora and fauna; and investments in infrastructure such as stores, hotels, and restaurants to serve and shelter the tourists.

This association also enabled the building of a via ferrata (iron road) in 2013, the only one in the Balkans, which makes it safer to climb, otherwise dangerous, routes.

Today Rugova has several ski areas (one of them is equipped with a cable car), trails for hiking, and facilities for parachuting.