View source for Mic Sokoli

{{short description|Albanian freedom fighter}}
{{Infobox person
| honorific_prefix   =
| name               = Mic Sokoli
| image              =
| caption            =
| birth_name         = <!-- only use if different from name -->
| birth_date         = {{birth year|1839}}
| birth_place        = Fang, [[Bujan]], [[Tropojë]], [[Scutari vilayet]], [[Ottoman Empire]] <br><small>(modern [[Albania|Albanian]])</small>
| death_date         = {{Death date and age|df=yes|1881|04|20|1839}}
| death_place        = [[Battle of Slivova]]
| death_cause        =
| resting_place      =
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| burial_place       = <!-- may be used instead of resting_place and resting_place_coordinates (displays "Burial place" as label) -->
| burial_coordinates = <!-- {{coord|LAT|LONG|type:landmark|display=inline}} -->
| monuments          =
| known_for          = Thrusting his body in front of an enemy cannon and raising morale
| spouse             = <!-- Use article title or common name -->
| partner            = <!-- (unmarried long-term partner) -->
| children           =
| parents            = Sokol Rama (Father)
| mother             = <!-- may be used (optionally with father parameter) in place of parents parameter (displays "Parent(s)" as label) -->
| father             = <!-- may be used (optionally with mother parameter) in place of parents parameter (displays "Parent(s)" as label) -->
| relatives          =
| family             =
| awards             = [[File:Titulli "Hero i Popullit".svg|17px]] [[Hero of the People (Albania)|Hero of the People]]
| signature          =
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}}
'''Mic Sokoli''' (1839 &ndash; 20 April 1881) was an Albanian guerrilla fighter from the [[Highlands of Gjakova]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pgf6GWJxuZgC&pg=PA418 |title=A Biographical Dictionary of Albanian History|last=Elsie|first=Robert|date=2013|publisher=I.B.Tauris|isbn=9781780764313|language=en}}</ref> He fought in the [[Battle of Novšiće|Battle of Nokshiq]] (near [[Grudë, Albania|Grudë]]) against the [[Montenegrins]], and was a notable fighter of the [[League of Prizren]], having fought in [[Gjakova]] against [[Mehmed Ali Pasha (marshal)|Mehmet Ali Pasha]]. He is remembered by Albanians for an act of heroism in April 1881, in which he sacrificed himself by pressing his body against the mouth of an Ottoman cannon.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Asani |first1=Sara |title=Këngët e Lidhjes Shqiptare të Prizrenit |date=2019 |publisher=Ss. Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje |location=Shkup |page=18}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pgf6GWJxuZgC&pg=PA418 |title=A Biographical Dictionary of Albanian History|last=Elsie|first=Robert|date=2013|publisher=I.B.Tauris|isbn=9781780764313|language=en}}</ref>
==Early life==
[[File:Bujan, Tropojë, Albania – Sokoli Kulla 2018-05 01.jpg|right|thumb|The Sokoli Kulla (Tower House) in Bujan, Tropojë, Albania]]
Mic Sokoli was born in the village of Fang near Bujan in the [[Highlands of Gjakova]] in 1839 to a patriotic family of the [[Krasniqi]] tribe. His father, Sokol Rama, and his uncle, [[Binak Alia]], were notable leaders in the Albanian uprisings against the [[Tanzimat]] reforms, similar to the leadership role Mic Sokoli would eventually hold with the [[League of Prizren]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Asani |first1=Sara |title=Këngët e Lidhjes Shqiptare të Prizrenit |date=2019 |publisher=Ss. Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje |location=Shkup |page=18}}</ref>
==Activities==
Mic Sokoli participated in his first battle when he was 16 against the [[Montenegrins]]. Mic would lead his fellow fighters out of their encircled position in a battle that the Albanians would eventually win. Sokoli was a veteran of warfare, having participated in many battles during his lifetime; he played an active role in the battles of [[Skopje|Üsküb]], [[Ferizaj]], [[Gjilan]] and [[Gjakova]] against Mehmed Ali Pasha, was distinguished during the [[Battle of Novšiće]] against the Montenegrins, fought in [[Plav, Montenegro|Plav]], [[Gusinje|Guci]], [[Hoti, Plav|Hoti]], [[Gruda (region)|Gruda]] and [[Tuzi]], and ultimately in the battles of Shtimë, Carralevë and Slivovë.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Asani |first1=Sara |title=Këngët e Lidhjes Shqiptare të Prizrenit |date=2019 |publisher=Ss. Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje |location=Shkup |page=18}}</ref>
Mic Sokoli had operated in [[Prizren]] under the protection of Ymer Prizreni, but after killing a local rich Turk, he moved to [[Peja]] and lived with [[Haxhi Zeka]]. Mic would continue to carry out other assassinations of Ottoman officials and soldiers. At the age of 18, he was forced to flee to the mountains where he was taken in by [[Sulejman Vokshi]]. There he learned about warfare and mountain life, and he distinguished himself as a strong warrior and a capable leader in many battles. He played a major role in the [[League of Prizren]], where he led large military units and was known for capturing spies. Mic Sokoli was the commander of a force of 3,000 malësors. After taking part in the battle in Gjakova against Mehmed Ali Pasha, Sokoli went to the northern parts of the [[Kosovo Vilayet]] region ([[Novi Pazar|Yeni Pazar]] etc.) to fight against the Serbians. He would then go and fight in [[Malësia e Madhe]]. During the capture of [[Pristina]] from the Ottomans, Sokoli led his 3,000 Malësors on a surprise attack against the Ottoman forces from the mountains of [[Germia Park|Germia]]. He was wounded during the battle of Üsküb.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Asani |first1=Sara |title=Këngët e Lidhjes Shqiptare të Prizrenit |date=2019 |publisher=Ss. Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje |location=Shkup |pages=18–19}}</ref>
==Death==
At the Battle of Slivove in April 1881, Mic Sokoli noticed that the League's fighters were being bombarded from a strong position. Upon realising that it would be impossible to kill the Ottoman soldiers operating the cannons, Sokoli would press his chest against a cannon and thereby sustain fatal injuries, but his efforts would ensure that the cannon would begin to fall downhill. Mic Sokoli's act of bravery motivated his fellow fighters to continue the battle, and this act is remembered today.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pgf6GWJxuZgC&pg=PA418 |title=A Biographical Dictionary of Albanian History|last=Elsie|first=Robert|date=2013|publisher=I.B.Tauris|isbn=9781780764313|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Asani |first1=Sara |title=Këngët e Lidhjes Shqiptare të Prizrenit |date=2019 |publisher=Ss. Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje |location=Shkup |pages=18–19}}</ref> He was 42 at the time of his death, and left behind his wife and two children, a daughter and a son. More than a century after, his great great grandson, [[Tahir Sinani]] would continue these similar activities, eventually dying during the [[2001 insurgency in Macedonia|Macedonian Conflict of 2001]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Asani |first1=Sara |title=Këngët e Lidhjes Shqiptare të Prizrenit |date=2019 |publisher=Ss. Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje |location=Shkup |pages=19–20}}</ref>
==Legacy==
[[File:Bujan, Tropojë, Albania – Sokoli Kulla 2018-05 07.jpg|right|thumb|The memorial plaque on the Sokoli Kulla (Tower House) in Bujan, Tropojë, Albania]]
The stories of Sokoli's braveness in battles have been noted in many traditional Albanian folk songs.<ref>{{YouTube|hHZDOV0OMT4|folk songs}}</ref> The Albanian communist government declared Sokoli a [[People's Hero of Albania]].<ref name="Alia1978">{{cite book|last=Alia|first=Ramiz|title=The Albanian League of Prizren: a brilliant page of our history written in blood : speech on the centenary of the Albanian League of Prizren, Tirana, June 10, 1978|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-J24AAAAIAAJ|accessdate=5 January 2011|year=1978|publisher="8 Nëntori" Publishing House|page=4}}</ref> He was known for his strategic abilities, his dedication to the Albanian cause and his bravery. Many songs are dedicated to Mic Sokoli, and his actions recall era of the [[League of Prizren]] and their efforts for Albanian unity. Mic Sokoli is a notable figure of the League, known as a leader of the [[Krasniqi]], the son of Sokol Rama. His actions turned into legend, and songs dedicated to him are performed in the present day.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Asani |first1=Sara |title=Këngët e Lidhjes Shqiptare të Prizrenit |date=2019 |publisher=Ss. Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje |location=Shkup |pages=19–20}}</ref>
Sylejman Krasniqi wrote the novel ′''Mic Sokoli''′, which was awarded by the Republic. Sali Shijaku's painting of Mic Sokoli's final moments as he presses his chest against the cannon was honoured with many awards. There are several artistic societies, schools etc. named after Mic Sokoli.
Below is a famous Albanian song dedicated to Mic Sokoli:
{|class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;"
|-
!Albanian original
!English Translation
|-
|<poem>Mic Sokoli n’dy tagana,
Udhamarë! mi ka than nana,
Lufto bir, ti për Shqipni,
Mos i len turqit ktu me hi,
N’koftë nevoja, vi me ty.
Mic Sokoli: ni fjalë po e flet,
Po i thotë nanës: - Ti mir mbetç!
Pa u farue Malsia krejt,
Ktu nuk hin as krajl as mret! </poem>
|<poem>Mic Sokoli with two yatagans,
Safe travels! His mother said,
Fight, son, for Albania,
Do not let the Turks enter,
If need be, I'll come with you.
Mic Sokoli: speaks a word,
He says to his mother: - farewell!
Unless the Highlands are wiped out,
No one will enter, nor krajl, nor king! </poem>
|}
==See also==
*[[League of Prizren]]
*[[Sefë Kosharja]]
==References==
<references/>
{{People's Hero of Albania}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sokoli. Mic}}
[[Category:1839 births]]
[[Category:1881 deaths]]
[[Category:19th-century Albanian people]]
[[Category:Albanian rebels]]
[[Category:People from Tropojë]]
[[Category:Heroes of Albania]]
[[Category:Rebels from the Ottoman Empire]]
[[Category:Albanian people from the Ottoman Empire]]