Osman Taka

Osman Resul Taka (died 1887) was a Cham dancer and unclear personage from 19th century. The Dance of Osman Taka is named after him. His early life is not clear. He belongs to the Taka clan of Filiates, also known for Alush Taka, an Albanian patriot.
According to narrative sources, his name became well-known during the mid 19th century. He was probably a kachak or klepht fighting the Ottomans in Chameria region.[1] Other sources connect him with the Albanian National Awakening of late 19th century.[2] He was jailed in Yanina and was sentenced to death. When he was asked to give his final wish, he wanted to dance. The folk tradition says that his dance was so beautiful that the local Albanian gendarmes of the Ottoman army, did not execute him. After some days he was caught again and was killed in Konispol.[3][4]

References
  1. Eno Koço (2010). The Vocal Iso(n): The Preservation of Traditions in North East Mediterranean Practice. Acta Studia Albanica. p. 14.
  2. Spiro Shetuni (April 21, 2011). Albanian Traditional Music: An Introduction, with Sheet Music and Lyrics for 48 Songs. Mcfarland. p. 41. ISBN 978-0786464494.
  3. Nigel Allenby Jaffé, Folk Dance of Europe, Folk Dance Enterprises, 1990, ISBN 0-946247-14-5, ISBN 978-0-946247-14-1
  4. Anamali, Skënder and Prifti, Kristaq. Historia e popullit shqiptar në katër vëllime. Botimet Toena, 2002, ISBN 99927-1-622-3.
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