Komuna Bushat Albania

Cultural values in the commune of Bushat

Parts of the Commune of Bushat have been populated from ancient times. Archaeological findings, toponyms and other archival documents in Albania, Venice and Turkey, as well as the old legends told from generation to generation, attest to the ancientness of these lands. The history of Bushat dates back a long time in history. In the centuries I-II mention is made of the dwelling place called the swamp of Marit which must have existed in the Illyrian Kingdom between the towns of Scodra and Lisus. The names of the villages are convincingly explained by toponymy and the oral stories of the local people. Heritage is made up of various natural and cultural objects, caves and other monuments. Cultural heritage is represented by laic and religious construction work, bridges, roads, monumental tombs, etc., but also by mosques and churches. These places are mentioned from ancient times, throughout the middle Ages and their traces have survived to the present times.

Places of cultural heritage
Since the century I-II the old palafi dwelling of the swamp of Marit is evidenced. This ancient dwelling stood on wide tree trunks floored with wood. These dwellings were typical of their time. They were built above water (rivers and lakes) in order to protect people from savage animals. Cemeteries over the hills of Mundia attend to the burial rites based on exhumation of corps. Obviously, this rite was borrowed since the Illyrian population is known to follow the rite of burying corpses in the tombs. In the Middle Ages, striking evidence is found of the tombs of Pashas whose traces are left along the River Drin track. In antiquity, there was a road which originated from two stations: Lezha and Shkodra. Both branches met at Vau i Dejës and from here the road progressed to Puka, Vau Spas, to Kosova. However, there is no evidence with regard to time of the road construction. The first segment was from Shkoder to Vau i Dejes, the second Lezhë-Vau Dejës-Pukë-Kosovë. The second branch passed from Lezha through Zadrima and met the branch coming from Shkodra in Vau i Dejes, where presumably there was a bridge. Among the most impressive buildings were the mansions of the Bushati family. The place of Mehmet Pasha Bushati, for instance, had a number of rooms, halls, ample cooking space and cellars. Also, there is reference in the literature of the Great Bath located close to the Palace of the Bushat family. Attached to the mansion was a large fountain.

The Bushati family was a prominent family in Albanian history for pat of the Ottoman rule of the region. The family ruled the pashaluk of Shkodër from 1757 to 1831. Their dominance of the Shkodër region was gained through a network of alliances with various highland tribes. Even after the fall of the pashaluk in 1831, the Bushatis continued to play an important role in Albanian society. During the nineteenth century, Shkodër was also known as a cultural centre and in the 1840s the Bushati Library was built. The roots of the commune Bushat, are started in history with the Family Bushati.

Of the religious buildings mention can be made: The Church of Shen Shtjefni, among the greatest churches in Arberia, built in Barbullush, and the Churches of Shen Rroku, Shen Nikolli and Shen Gjergji. In addition there are the mosques of Bushati, Melgushi and Kosmaçi. The non-material culture of Bushat is part of the prestigious national culture. Besides the buildings, there are also other objects such as monumental tombs built for the Pashas (who ruled throughout history), work tools, weapons, jewelry, ceramic vessels, etc. Coins from the ruling period of King Gent have been found in the ancient ruins of Bushat. Jewelry and trinkets are of special value as they present clear links to the present day attire of Zadrima women. Bushati is the birthplace of a number of celebrities in the fields of culture, artists, writers, singers, and sportsmen, distinguished intellectuals in the economic and political walks of life in the country. In the village of Kukel, from the year 1906 and for 30 successive years lived and created Ndre Mjeda, the great writer and poet of Albanian literature. During his stay in this village, Mjeda wrote the poems “Liria” (Freedom), “Andrra e jetës” (Life’s Dream) as a good part of his creative fund.

Freedom

Tell me, eagles, birds of the highlands,
Do the rays of freedom shine upon those peaks,
In the rugged mountain pastures and clearings
Where springs of fresh water murmur in longing?
Have you heard the echo of its anthem
On your flights o'er the cliffs,
Have you heard its comforting song?
Tell me, eagles, birds of the highlands.
Freedom, freedom, the mountains cry,
But can we find it on the earth we ply,
Or will slavery veil our every step?
Fly, eagle, fly to horizons far away,
The mountains surrounding Albania, survey,
Tell us where freedom takes its source.

Freedom is yours! We have iron bars,
Yet we languish in the mists and sombre night,
No one knows our name, stripped of our country,
We are slaves of the strangers on our own soil.
Like chattel sold to the butcher, we're driven,
Crazed, by his cane where we don't wish to go,
Sighs and lamentation on the lips of our people,
Suffering and grief is the name of our land.
The storm of highland heroes in vain
Infiltrates the sleeping plain
Like a bolt of lightning from the clouds.
Crushed by cruel oppression and travail,
Shake in their tombs to no avail
The forgotten bones of Dukagjini and Scanderbeg the Hero.

But no, the Albanian race has not been stamped out,
Wearied by the beatings of a harsh enemy,
Bowed by the darkness of servitude,
It broods and waits for its sudden awakening.
And behold, the flashing strokes of freedom
Extend through the mountains, in stealth advance
From hut to hut, yes, the shadow of Scanderbeg,
A new spirit expands throughout the land.
The mothers of Hoti tend cradles, childbed,
Where fledgling young heroes are nurtured and fed
On the milk of revolt.
And high in the mountains, splendour regal,
Claws outstretched, the Albanian eagle,
Spreads its formidable wings.

(1910-1911)