Kurvelesh (region)
Kurvelesh
Kurveleshi | |
|---|---|
Ethnographic and historical region | |
| Kurvelesh Region | |
View of Mount Këndrevica in Kurvelesh | |
Kurvelesh Location in Albania | |
| Coordinates: 40°14′12″N 19°52′1″E / 40.23667°N 19.86694°E | |
| Country | Albania |
| County | Vlorë County |
| Region | Southern Mountain Range |
| Municipal units | Brataj, Horë-Vranisht, Kurvelesh, Picar |
| Named after | Folk legend: Arab sheikh Jabal-i Alhama |
| Ethnic groups | |
| • Albanians | Lab Albanians |
| Religion | |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Considered the heart of Labëria region; known for strong tribal traditions, endogamy, and fortified tower houses. | |
| Part of a series on |
| Albanian tribes |
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Kurvelesh is a region in southern Albania, within the Southern Mountain Range. In the region, which is divided into the communes of Brataj, Horë-Vranisht, Kurvelesh and Picar, fifteen villages are located. It is considered to be the heart of the larger Labëria region. The Kurvelesh region is inhabited by Lab Albanians. Traditionally neighbourhoods of local villages in the region had houses built as fortresses lacking windows on the ground floor while the blood feud used to be a common feature of the area. The people of Kurvelesh practised endogamy by intermarrying within the villages of the region.