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| <tr><td bgcolor="orange">Religion</td><td bgcolor="#ffde80">]</td></tr> | <tr><td bgcolor="orange">Religion</td><td bgcolor="#ffde80">]</td></tr> | ||
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| '''Arvanites''' (<font face="Arial Unicode MS">Αρbε̰ρόρ</font>, ''Arbërór'' or <font face="Arial Unicode MS">Σ̈κ̇ιπτάρ</font>, ''Shqiptár'' in ], Arvanitë in ], <font face="Arial Unicode MS">Αρβανίτες</font>, ''Arvanítes'' in ]) are a people originating in central ] that settled in various ] lands during the ]. Their current population is estimated at anywhere from 140,000 to 1,600,000. | '''Arvanites''' (<font face="Arial Unicode MS">Αρbε̰ρόρ</font>, ''Arbërór'' or <font face="Arial Unicode MS">Σ̈κ̇ιπτάρ</font>, ''Shqiptár'' in ], Arvanitë in ], <font face="Arial Unicode MS">Αρβανίτες</font>, ''Arvanítes'' in ]) are a people originating in central ] that settled in various ] lands during the ], principally between the ] and ]. Their current population is estimated at anywhere from 140,000 to 1,600,000. (It is not possible to give an exact figure as Greek has not held a census of national minorities since ]). | ||
| ==Demographics== | |||
| They are predominantly ] in ] adherence and their ], ], shares a common origin with ] Albanian but has been heavily influenced by ] over the centuries. They have gradually developed a Greek national consciousness and are almost fully assimilated into Greek society. Nevertheless, some of their distinct cultural characteristics are still identifiable. There are ] ]s featuring Arvanitic songs although the lyrics are often in Greek.] Arvanites played a prominent role in the ]. | |||
| Arvanites historically lived mostly in central and southern Greece, especially in |
Arvanites historically lived mostly in central and southern Greece, especially in continental Greece (<font face="Arial Unicode MS">Στερεά Ελλάδα</font>, ''Stereá Elládha''), the ] (<font face="Arial Unicode MS">Πελοπόννησος</font>, ''Pelopónnisos'') and the adjacent islands. Arvanites also live near the Albanian border, in most of Epirus and in the ] of ] and ]. | ||
| Like the rest of the ] population, Arvanites have been emigrating from their villages to the cities and especially to the capital ], which, incidentally, was populated by many Arvanites in the early ], before becoming the Greek state's capital. | Like the rest of the ] population, Arvanites have been emigrating from their villages to the cities and especially to the capital ], which, incidentally, was populated by many Arvanites in the early ], before becoming the Greek state's capital. | ||
| ==Language and culture== | |||
| Arvanites are predominantly ] in ] adherence. Their ], ], shares a common origin with ] Albanian 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. | |||
| ] | |||
| The Arvanites have gradually developed a Greek national consciousness and identify themselves with Greeks; some have argued that they are descended from early inhabitants of Greece. They played a prominent role in the ]. Although they are related to Albanians, there have been reports in recent years of clashes between Arvanite communities and Albanian migrants. | |||
| Although they are almost fully assimilated into Greek society, some distinct Arvanitic cultural characteristics are still identifiable. There are ] ]s 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. | |||
| ==See also== | ==See also== | ||
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| * | * | ||
| ] | ]] | ||
Revision as of 16:08, 20 June 2005
| File:FArvanites.jpg | |
| Total population: | 140,000-1,600,000 (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 a people originating in 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 Greek has not held a census of national minorities since 1951).
Demographics
Arvanites historically lived mostly in central and southern Greece, especially in continental Greece (Στερεά Ελλάδα, Stereá Elládha), the Peloponnese (Πελοπόννησος, Pelopónnisos) and the adjacent islands. Arvanites also live near the Albanian border, in most of Epirus and in the prefectures of Florina and Kastoria.
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.
Language and culture
Arvanites are predominantly Greek Orthodox in religious adherence. Their language, Arvanitic, shares a common origin with Tosk Albanian 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.
The Arvanites have gradually developed a Greek national consciousness and identify themselves with 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.
Although they are almost fully assimilated into Greek society, some distinct Arvanitic cultural characteristics are still identifiable. There are 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.