Mic Sokoli

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Mic Sokoli
Born1839 (1839)
Fang, Bujan, Tropojë, Albania
(then Ottoman Empire)
Died20 April 1881(1881-04-20) (aged 41–42)
Battle of Slivova
Known forThrusting his body in front of an enemy cannon and raising morale
AwardsTitulli "Hero i Popullit".svg Hero of the People

Mic Sokoli (1839 – 20 April 1881) was an Albanian nationalist figure and guerrilla fighter from the Highlands of Gjakova.[1] He was a noted guerrilla leader during the years of the League of Prizren and took part in the fighting in Yakova against Mehmet Ali Pasha. He fought in the Battle of Nokshiq (near Grudë) against the Montenegrins. He is remembered by Albanians for an act of heroism in April 1881, in which he sacrificed himself by pressing his body against the mouth of a Turkish cannon.[2][3]

Early Life[]

The Sokoli Kulla (Tower House) in Bujan, Tropojë, Albania

Mic Sokoli was born in the village of Fang near Bujan in the Highlands of Gjakova in 1839 to a patriotic family. His father, Sokol Rama, and his uncle, Binak Alia, were notable leaders in the Albanian uprisings against the Tanzimat reforms, similar to the leadership role Mic Sokoli would eventually hold with the League of Prizren.[4]

Activities[]

Mic Sokoli participated in his first battle when he was 16 against the Montenegrins. Mic would lead his fellow fighters out of their encircled position in a battle that the Albanians would eventually win. Sokoli was a veteran of warfare, having participated in many battles during his lifetime; he played an active role in the battles of Shkup, Ferizaj, Gjilan and Gjakova against Mehmed Ali Pasha, was distinguished during the Battle of Novšiće against the Montenegrins, fought in Plav, Guci, Hoti, Gruda and Tuzi, and ultimately in the battles of Shtimë, Carralevë and Slivovë.[5]

Mic Sokoli had operated in Prizren under the protection of Ymer Prizreni, but after killing a local rich Turk, he moved to Peja and lived with Haxhi Zeka. Mic would continue to carry out other assassinations of Ottoman officials and soldiers. At the age of 18, he was forced to flee to the mountains where he was taken in by Sulejman Vokshi. There he learned about warfare and mountain life, and he distinguished himself as a strong warrior and a capable leader in many battles. He played a major role in the League of Prizren, where he lead large military units and was known for capturing spies. Mic Sokoli was the commander of a force of 3,000 malësors. After taking part in the battle in Gjakova against Mehmed Ali Pasha, Sokoli went to the northern parts of the Kosovo Vilayet region (Tregu i Ri etc.) to fight against the Serbians. He would then go and fight in . During the liberation of Pristina from the Ottomans, Sokoli led his 3,000 Malësors on a surprise attack against the Ottoman forces from the mountains of Germia. He was wounded during the battle of Üsküb.[6]

Death[]

At the Battle of Slivove in April 1881, Mic Sokoli noticed that the League's fighters were being bombarded from a strong position. Upon realising that it would be impossible to kill the Ottoman soldiers operating the cannons, Sokoli would press his chest against a cannon and thereby sustain fatal injuries, but his efforts would ensure that the cannon would begin to fall downhill. Mic Sokoli's act of bravery motivated his fellow fighters to continue the battle with bravery and pride, and this legendary act is remembered today.[7][8] He was 42 at the time of his death, and left behind his wife and two children, a daughter and a son. More than a century after, his grandson, Tahir Sinani would continue these patriotic activities, eventually dying during the Macedonian Conflict of 2001.[9]

Legacy[]

The memorial plaque on the Sokoli Kulla (Tower House) in Bujan, Tropojë, Albania

The stories of Sokoli's braveness in battles have been noted in many traditional Albanian folk songs.[10] He is a People's Hero of Albania.[11] He was known for his strategical abilities, his dedication to patriotic causes and his bravery. Many songs are dedicated to Mic Sokoli, and his actions recall the legendary times of the League of Prizren and their efforts for a unified Albania. Mic Sokoli is one of the most notable figures of the League, known as a leader of the Krasniqi, the son of Sokol Rama. His heroism turned into legend, and the songs dedicated to him have echoed until the present day.[12]

Sylejman Krasniqi wrote the novel ′Mic Sokoli′, which was awarded by the Republic. Sali Shijaku's painting of Mic Sokoli's final moments as he presses his chest against the cannon was honoured with many awards. There are several artistic societies, schools etc. named after Mic Sokoli.

Below is a famous Albanian song dedicated to Mic Sokoli:

Albanian original English Translation

Mic Sokoli n’dy tagana,
Udhamarë! mi ka than nana,
Lufto bir, ti për Shqipni,
Mos i len turqit ktu me hi,
N’koftë nevoja, vi me ty.
Mic Sokoli: ni fjalë po e flet,
Po i thotë nanës: - Ti mir mbetç!
Pa u farue Malsia krejt,
Ktu nuk hin as krajl as mret!

Mic Sokoli with two yatagans,
Safe travels! His mother said,
Fight, son, for Albania,
Do not let the Turks enter,
If need be, I'll come with you.
Mic Sokoli: speaks a word,
He says to his mother: - farewell!
Unless the Highlands are wiped out,
No one will enter, nor krajl, nor king!

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Elsie, Robert (2013). A Biographical Dictionary of Albanian History. I.B.Tauris. ISBN 9781780764313.
  2. ^ Asani, Sara (2019). Këngët e Lidhjes Shqiptare të Prizrenit. Shkup: Ss. Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje. p. 18.
  3. ^ Elsie, Robert (2013). A Biographical Dictionary of Albanian History. I.B.Tauris. ISBN 9781780764313.
  4. ^ Asani, Sara (2019). Këngët e Lidhjes Shqiptare të Prizrenit. Shkup: Ss. Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje. p. 18.
  5. ^ Asani, Sara (2019). Këngët e Lidhjes Shqiptare të Prizrenit. Shkup: Ss. Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje. p. 18.
  6. ^ Asani, Sara (2019). Këngët e Lidhjes Shqiptare të Prizrenit. Shkup: Ss. Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje. pp. 18–19.
  7. ^ Elsie, Robert (2013). A Biographical Dictionary of Albanian History. I.B.Tauris. ISBN 9781780764313.
  8. ^ Asani, Sara (2019). Këngët e Lidhjes Shqiptare të Prizrenit. Shkup: Ss. Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje. pp. 18–19.
  9. ^ Asani, Sara (2019). Këngët e Lidhjes Shqiptare të Prizrenit. Shkup: Ss. Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje. pp. 19–20.
  10. ^ folk songs on YouTube
  11. ^ Alia, Ramiz (1978). The Albanian League of Prizren: a brilliant page of our history written in blood : speech on the centenary of the Albanian League of Prizren, Tirana, June 10, 1978. "8 Nëntori" Publishing House. p. 4. Retrieved 5 January 2011.
  12. ^ Asani, Sara (2019). Këngët e Lidhjes Shqiptare të Prizrenit. Shkup: Ss. Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje. pp. 19–20.
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