Gorani in Albania

People Name:	Gorani
Country:	Albania
10/40 Window:	Yes
Population:	34,000
World Population:	54,000
Primary Language:	Serbian
Primary Religion:	Islam
Christian Adherents:	5.00 %
Evangelicals:	0.00 %
Scripture:	Complete Bible
Online Audio NT:	Yes
Jesus Film:	Yes
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	Slav, Southern
Affinity Bloc:	Eurasian Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

Gorani means Highlanders, but this people group also has several other names: "Našinci" which literally means "our people." They are also known among the neighboring Albanians as Torbeshë and Poturë. They speak the Gora dialect, which is known by many Gorani as Našinski.
The Gora region, and thus the Gorani people, have been claimed by Bosniaks, Serbs, Bulgarians, and recently Macedonians, but the general view is that they should be treated as a distinct minority group. Some are now culturally Albanian.
The Gora region comprises Dragaš municipality in Kosovo, Shishtavec municipality in Albania and the area around the Šar Mountains in Macedonia. They live in the mountainous intersection of Kosovo, Albania and Macedonia.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Gorani tend to stay among themselves and they seldom inter-marry with other ethnic groups. Because of harassment, some Gorani people do not send their children to local schools. They are noted for being excellent bakers and confectioners which might possibly attract other people groups to their communities.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Gorani people are Muslims, but their traditions and customs are full of pre-Islamic elements. During wedding festivities, the bride is carried on a white horse covered with a scarf and an umbrella that is decorated for the occasion. The bride accompanies her family to the neighbor's house of the future husband.
Still, Islam is a central part of their identity, especially in Macedonia where they define themselves by the Islamic religion.

What Are Their Needs?

The Gorani people need to put their identity in Jesus Christ, the King of kings.

Prayer Points

Pray for the authority of Christ to bind hindering spiritual forces to lead the Gorani from darkness to light.
Pray for signs and wonders among them and for great breakthroughs with a rapid multiplication of disciples and house churches.
Pray for bold workers who are driven by the love of the Holy Spirit to go to them.
Pray for an unstoppable movement to Christ among them.