Gorani in Kosovo

People Name:	Gorani
Country:	Kosovo
10/40 Window:	No
Population:	9,100
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

The Gorani, meaning Highlanders, is an Islamic ethnic group which inhabits the Gora region, located between Albania, Kosovo and Macedonia. Another autonym of this people is "Našinci" which literally means "our people." They are also known among the neighboring Albanians by several exonyms, "Torbeshë" and "Poturë". They speak the Gora dialect, which is known by many Gorani as "Našinski".

The Gora region comprises Dragaš municipality in Kosovo, Shishtavec municipality in Albania and the area around the Šar Mountains in Macedonia. They have a varied folk culture. They 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 of these people are already albanised. By the last censuses at the end of 20th century in Yugoslavia they have declared themselves to be Muslims by nationality. In Republic of Macedonia their identity is also based mainly on their religion.

The Gorani live in the northern slopes of Sar Mountain and the intersection of Kosovo, Albania and Macedonia. Gorani in Kosovo today live in the villages of Backa, Brod, Dikance, Globocica, Gornja Rapca, Krushevo, Kukaljane, Ljeshtane, Ljubovishte, Mlike, Orcusha, Radesha, Restelica, Veliki Krstec, Vranishte, Zli Potok, Mali Krstec, Donja Rapca. There are also nine villages in northern Albania, along the border with Kosovo. According to the information in the municipal area and its surroundings Dragash there are around 12,000 or 13,000 in other countries.

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.

What Are Their Needs?

The Gorani people need to accept the warm embrace of the only Savior so they can enjoy spiritually meaningful lives.

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.