Religious and cultural discrimination of Albanians in Kosova during nemanjids occupation

Abstract

Settling of Nemanjid invaders, brought the worsening of political situation and discrimination of religious rights for autochthonous population in Kosova. Situation deteriorated further with instalment of Autocephalius Orthodox Church headquarters in Peja town, from its former place Zhice, in the mid 13th century. But, until the 16th century in Kosova territory, main churches were riot owned by Nemanjids. These churches were performing their activities in accordane with canonic rules o f Holy Seat o f Rome, or even under Orthodox Episcopate of Ohri. Main Nemanjid monuments until the 16th century, such as Studenica Monastery and Sopocan, were located within Rashka territory that bordered to South with Dardania. In the 16th century, with strengthening of Nemanjids state, and settling of many colonizers as the result o f their rule in Kosova, some Orthodox Church monuments, such as Decan Monastery, Gracanica Monastery, Monastery of Saints Mihail and Gabriel and so on, were reconstructed or build. Utilization of these monuments for the political railing of Nemanjids, especially during Millutin and Stefan Dushan rale, brought expropriation o f Albanian nobleman property and other Albanian landloards, thus becoming big owner o f Monasteries land, but also using violence and other repressive means to convert commonalty into their Orthodoxy. Testimonies for political discrimination of Albanians by the Nemanjids state are reflected from Papal reports send to Nemanjids, where it’s requested freeing occupied churches and their return into Albanian hands, and ending obstruction o f their religious teachings.  Although in these discriminative settings, Albanians resolutely resisted against the Nemanjids occupation and pressure. That is expressed especially in uprisings o f 1332, 1334, where northern areas and towns as Ulqin, Prizren were engaged. Importance of these uprisings is proven also by the anti-Serbian crusade mission from Hungary and Napolitan Anjuins, whose forces played significant role.