Koja e Kuçit

History
Newspiece of attack against Trieshi and Koja by Montenegro in the Austro-Hungarian newspaper Tagespost Graz, May 14 1862.

Koja is the smallest region in Malësia. In the Montenegrin–Ottoman War (1861–62), Kuči, Piperi and other groups attacked Triepshi and Koja e Kuçit, but that attack was repulsed.[1] Pretash Zeka Ulaj from Koja was one of the Malësor leaders that led the region to its freedom when fighting in 1911 in the Battle of Deçiq, alongside the famous Ded Gjo Luli from Hoti. Dokë Preci Kërcaj, Cakë Uci Ivanaj, Gjeto Toma Kolçaj, Tomë Uci Ivanaj, Kolë Doka Marashaj, Marash Leca Gjokaj, and Gjeto Gjeka Ivanaj are remembered as the Seven Heroes of Koja for giving their lives in the battle.

Brotherhoods and families

Koja e Kuçit became part of Montenegro in 1880. The surnames are given both in their original Albanian form and the Montenegrin equivalent that was required by the authorities that the people of Koja adopt in that era.

  • Ulaj: (Uljaj) - Flag-bearers (Bajraktarët) of the tribe. They are descendants of Ulë Nikaj who was the son of Nika Nrrelaj and grandson of Nrrel Balaj. They are originally from Vukël in Kelmendi
  • Kolçaj: (Koljčaj) - Descendants of the Marashaj. Notable people include ; Gjeto Toma Kolçaj.
  • Nucullaj: (Nuculaj) - Descendants of Pal Nika from Selcë. Nikaj/Nikići and Pajaj descend from the Nucullaj tribe. They originate from the Kastrati clan but had migrated to Selcë in Kelmend before going to Kojë.
  • Marashaj
  • Ivanaj: Several descendants immigrated to Plav-Guci
  • Lucaj
  • Kërcaj:

Descendants of the Gorvokaj tribe. Several descendants immigrated to Plav-Guci

  • Gjokaj
  • Gjeloshaj: Part of Bakaj brotherhood. First and original tribe to inhabit Koja e Kuçit. Notable people include ; Toma Lulashi Gjeloshaj.
  • Gorvokaj: (Gorvokaj) - Kërcaj (brotherhood descends from the Gorvokaj. Originally from Vukël in Kelmendi.
  • Nikaj: Descendants of Nikë (Nikollë) of the Nucullaj tribe.
  • Pali: Originally from Berishë (Berisha E kuqe) near Puka migrated to Koja in the 1500s. Descendants can be found in Ana Malit, Kelmend, Plav — Guci and Shkodër

Notable people

References
  1. Gjonaj, Gjekë. "Disa prej betejave që kanë mbrojtur Trieshin [Some of the battles in defense of Triesh". Gazeta Tema. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
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