Tuzi through the centuries

Abstract

The area of Tuz and Ulcinj, where we have done studies, carries extraordinary values of an autochthonous cultural heritage. All this space, which consequently includes Tuzi, throughout history, belongs to the autochthonous cultural heritage of the Illyrian tribe of Labeates.

In this region have been identified the findings of the material culture of the medieval, modern and contemporary periods, which testifies the continuity of life in the municipality of Tuz (Malësi) since prehistoric times. From the literature, we see that in the XIV century Tuzi is presented to us as a name of tribe and settlement. For the first time, as an old settlement located opposite Podgorica, also called "Katuni" (Community of Shepherds), Tuzi is mentioned in 1330, in a Holy book of the Monastery of Deçan, whose president was Llesh Tuzi. However, these lands were inhabited by indigenous Illyrian inhabitants hundreds of years before the toponym "Tuz - Tussis". In the years 1416-1417, we see Tuzi as a village with a total of 150 houses.