Kuд‡i — Kuд‡i

Historically associated with the Gheg Albanian tribes, specifically the Berisha brotherhood.

The culture of the Kuči is deeply rooted in the Balkan tribal code of ( Čojstvo i junaštvo ). This code emphasizes protecting others from oneself (honor) and protecting oneself from others (heroism). Despite the linguistic shift to Slavic, many traditional customs, including mourning rituals and certain aspects of dress, remained closely aligned with northern Albanian Highland ( Malësia ) traditions well into the 20th century. Political History & Ottoman Resistance KuД‡i KuД‡i

The Kuči tribe is a prominent example of the ethnic fluidity of the . First appearing in historical records in 1330 as an Albanian brotherhood ( katun ), the tribe gradually underwent a process of Slavicisation . By the 17th and 18th centuries, shifts in political alliances and the influence of the Orthodox Church led many members to transition from Roman Catholicism to Eastern Orthodoxy and from the Albanian language to Slavic dialects. Today, descendants of the Kuči identify as Montenegrins , Serbs , or Bosniaks (among those who converted to Islam during the Ottoman era). Geography: The Kučka Krajina Despite the linguistic shift to Slavic, many traditional

Formerly bilingual; today, most inhabitants speak Serbo-Croatian (Montenegrin/Serbian), though some Albanian-speaking enclaves remain. By the 17th and 18th centuries, shifts in