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Arvanites
Total population:	~140,000 (est.)
Significant populations in:	Greece: 140,000-1,600,000 (est.)
Language	Arvanitic, Greek
Religion	Greek Orthodox

Arvanites (Αρbε̰ρόρ, Arbërór or Σ̈κ̇ιπτάρ, Shqiptár in Arvanitic, Arvanitë in Albanian, Αρβανίτες, Arvanítes in Greek) are the descendants of settlers of Albanian ancestry from central Albania that settled in various Greek lands during the Middle Ages, principally between the 13th century and 15th century. Their current population is estimated at anywhere from 140,000 to 1,600,000. (It is not possible to give an exact figure as Greece has not held a census of mother-tongue speakers since 1951). Subject: Lock Source: Graphic created by Cantus. ... From left to right: Athanásios Miaúlis (1815 - 1867), Andónios Kriézis (1796 - 1865), Pávlos Kunduriótis (1855 - 1935) and Theódhoros Pángalos (1878 - 1952). ... Arvanitic (Αρbε̱ρίσ̈τε Arbëríshte) is an Indo-European language originating in the Balkan peninsula and is spoken by about 150,000 people who are called Arvanites. ... Greek Orthodox Church can refer to any of several hierarchical churches within the larger group of mutually recognizing Eastern Orthodox churches: the Orthodox Church of Constantinople, headed by the Patriarch of Constantinople, who is also the first among equals of the Eastern Orthodox Communion. ... Arvanitic (Αρbε̱ρίσ̈τε Arbëríshte) is an Indo-European language originating in the Balkan peninsula and is spoken by about 150,000 people who are called Arvanites. ... The Middle Ages formed the middle period in a traditional schematic division of European history into three ages: the classical civilization of Antiquity, the Middle Ages, and modern times, beginning with the Renaissance. ... (12th century - 13th century - 14th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 13th century was that century which lasted from 1201 to 1300. ... (14th century - 15th century - 16th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 15th century was that century which lasted from 1401 to 1500. ... 1951 was a common year starting on Monday; see its calendar. ...

Demographics

Arvanites are predominantly Greek Orthodox in religious adherence. Their language, Arvanitic is a variety of the Tosk Albanian language but has been heavily influenced by Greek over the centuries. The language is in decline, partly due to emigration from Arvanite villages to the Greek-speaking cities, and partly due to its non-recognition by the Greek state; it has no legal status and is not taught in public schools. Greek Orthodox Church can refer to any of several hierarchical churches within the larger group of mutually recognizing Eastern Orthodox churches: the Orthodox Church of Constantinople, headed by the Patriarch of Constantinople, who is also the first among equals of the Eastern Orthodox Communion. ... Religion, sometimes used interchangeably with faith, is commonly defined as belief concerning the supernatural, sacred, or divine, and the practices and institutions associated with such belief. ... Arvanitic (Αρbε̱ρίσ̈τε Arbëríshte) is an Indo-European language originating in the Balkan peninsula and is spoken by about 150,000 people who are called Arvanites. ... Tosk is the southern dialect of Albanian language, spoken by about 3 million people. ... Albanian is a language spoken by over 6 million people primarily in Albania, but also in several other states in the Balkans as well as by emigrant groups in Italy and Turkey. ...

Like the rest of the Greek population, Arvanites have been emigrating from their villages to the cities and especially to the capital Athens, which, incidentally, was populated by many Arvanites in the early 1800s, before becoming the Greek state's capital. The Acropolis in central Athens, one of the most important landmarks in world history. ... Events and Trends Beginning of the Napoleonic Wars (1803 - 1815). ...

Language and culture

Arvanite sailor in traditional dress

The Arvanites have gradually developed a Greek national consciousness and identify themselves as Greeks; some have argued that they are descended from early inhabitants of Greece. They played a prominent role in the Greek War of Independence. Although they are related to Albanians, there have been reports in recent years of clashes between Arvanite communities and Albanian migrants. Arvanite sailor in traditional dress File links The following pages link to this file: Arvanites ... Arvanite sailor in traditional dress File links The following pages link to this file: Arvanites ... The Greek War of Independence, also known as the Greek Revolution of 1821, was a war against the Ottoman Empire for independence, which started that year. ...

Although they are almost fully assimilated into Greek society, some distinct Arvanitic cultural characteristics are still identifiable. There are 4 music CDs featuring Arvanitic songs although the lyrics are often in Greek. There are no mass media in the Arvanitic language, although some local radio stations have occasionally broadcast Arvanite songs. Wikibooks Wikiversity has more about this subject: School of Music Look up Music in Wiktionary, the free dictionary Wikisource, as part of the 1911 Encyclopedia Wikiproject, has original text related to this article: Music Wikicities has a wiki about Music: Music free mp3 downloads. ... CD may stand for: Compact Disc Canadian Forces Decoration Cash Dispenser (at least used in Japan) CD LPMud Driver Centrum-Demokraterne (Centre Democrats of Denmark) Certificate of Deposit České Dráhy (Czech Railways) Chad (NATO country code) Chalmers Datorförening (computer club of the Chalmers University of Technology) a 1960s...

See also

• Arvanitic language
• Balkan peninsula
• Greece
• Albania
• Souliotes
• Pavlos Kountouriotis
• Markos Botsaris

Arvanitic (Αρbε̱ρίσ̈τε Arbëríshte) is an Indo-European language originating in the Balkan peninsula and is spoken by about 150,000 people who are called Arvanites. ... The Balkans is the historic and geographic name used to describe southeastern Europe (see the Definitions and boundaries section below). ... A Souliot man The Souliots (also known as Suli, Souliotes and Souli) were deemed by the great poet Andreas Kalvos as the descendants of the Selloi (in his 30-lined ode entitled Eis Souli or To the Souli). In support of the poets belief, a Greek historian by the... Admiral Kountouriotis Admiral Pavlos Kountouriotis (1855-1935) (Greek: Παύλος Κουντουριώτης) was an acclaimed Greek military man, and twice the President of Greece. ... Markos Botsaris (c. ...

External links

• Report on the Arvanites