Kuzman Kapidan

Kuzman Kapidan (Bulgarian: Кузман Капитан Macedonian: Кузман Капидан) or Kuzman Karamak or Kuzman voivode[1] or Kuzman Kareman[2] is a popular legendary hero of Bulgarian,[3][4] and later of Macedonian epic poetry. His figure is based on the historical person who initially was a hajduk,[2] then - serdar (kapidan is corruption of captain) in service of Dželadin-bey (Albanian: Xheladin bej Ohri), a governor of Ohrid kaza at the beginning of 19th century.[5] [6] He defeated the bands of the robbers Osman Mura and Dervish Mucha. According to some legends, he was poisoned by his enemies, and according to others he was killed in battle.[2] His struggle against bandits was still alive among Macedonians in the 20th century, especially in Debar region, from where he operated and from where he allegedly descended.[7] He is commemorated in numerous epic songs, including O Armatolos, an award-winning poem written by the 19th-century Bulgarian poet Grigor Parlichev.[8]

Historical background

At the beginning of the 19th century region of Ohrid belonged to Ottoman Empire and had status of kaza of the Sanjak of Ohri. Its governor was Dželadin-bey who had to maintain balance between Ottoman porte on one side and Ali Pasha, the leader of the bands of brigands in the neighbouring Pashalik of Yanina, on another.[9] The bands of Ali Pasha frequently robbed neighbouring territories, including the territory under control of Dželadin-bey. Dželadin-bey belonged to influential group of Ottoman officials at western Balkans who resisted reforms to protect their possessions they forcible confiscated from other people. This is how Dželadin-bey "earned" around 100 chifliks on the territory of the kaza he controlled. To better resist them Ottomans had to mobilize local Christians to help their regular military forces to guard mountain passes toward Albania.[10] When Kuzman died his son Đore inherited his position and continued to protect their kaza with his forces consisting of both Albanians and Macedonian Slavs.[1]

References
  1. Matkovski, Aleksandar (1983). Otpor na Makedonija vo vremeto na turskoto vladeenje. Misla. p. 91.
  2. Енциклопедия България, том 3 И-Л, София, Издателство на Българската академия на науките, 1982, с. 624.
  3. История на българската литература: Литература на Възраждането, София, издателство на БАН, 1966, с. 207. Известни са значителен брй народни песни за героя на поемата Кузман капитан.
  4. Ненов, Николай. Българската хайдушка епика, София, 1999, с. 10-11, 38-39.
  5. Makedonska književnost. Školska knj. 1991. p. 133. ISBN 978-86-03-00146-4. Kuzman Kapidan je povijesna ličnost iz vremena samozvanog ohridskog vladara Dželadin bega u kojega je on bio kapetan (kapidan).
  6. Clava Literalis, Нѣколко думи за сегашното и миналото на Дебъръ, Дебъръ, година І, брой 10, 3 юни 1906, с. 2 Джеладинъ бей е възложил на Кузманъ капитанъ, дебрянинъ, да организира дружини от сънародницитѣ си, за да пази Дебъръ от нападенията на албанцитѣ.
  7. Folklore macédonien. 1989. p. 189. Споменот за Кузман Капидан, за неговите подвизи во борбата со разбојниците, се уште e жив мегу македонскиот народ, особено во селата на Дебарца каде што дејствувал и од каде, според преданието, потекнувал.
  8. Ivanović, Radomir V. (1986). Govor dela: studije i ogledi o makedonskoj književnosti. Novo delo. p. 40. ISBN 978-86-7353-003-1. Interesantna je napomena Georgi Staleva-Popovskog koji tvrdi da je Skenderbe.j deluje realisticnije nego Kuzman Kapi- dan, junak poeme Seràar i pïScev savremenik.
  9. Literaturen zbor. Društvo za makedonski jazik i literatura. 1986. p. 10. Џеладин-бег. кој управува во Охридската област, балансира помеѓу султанот и Али-паша Јанински.
  10. Macedonia), Institut za nacionalna istorija (Skopje (1970). Istorija makedonskog naroda: Od početka XIX veka do kraja prvog svetskog rata. Zavod za izdavanje ydžbenika Sodžijalističke Republike Srbije. pp. xiii, xv. ...џеладин бег располагао је у охридско преспанском крају са око стотину читлука које је "зарадио" путем конфискације од својих непријатеља.

Further reading
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