The mountain people (Gorani)

15:00 Fri 02 May 2008 - Spasena Baramova

A little more than a month after Bulgaria recognised Kosovo in a joint act with Croatia and Hungary, European Affairs Minister Gergana Grancharova became the first Bulgarian minister to make an official visit to the newly proclaimed republic.

Along with meetings with high-ranking Kosovar and Western officials, Grancharova’s programme included talks with representatives of the Gorani community in Kosovo, including Mursel Halili, chairperson of the Gora Civil Initiatiative party.

The Gorani are a Slavic ethnic group adhering to Islam. In all Slav languages the word “gora” means “mountain”, hence the English equivalent of “Gorani” would be “mountain people”. Since Bulgarian scientists have published research showing linguistic and ethnic similarities between the Gorani and the Bulgarians over the years, debate has centred around their possible Bulgarian origin and whether they should be recognised as a Bulgarian minority.

more see: http://www.sofiaecho.com/article/the-mountain-people/id_29067/catid_5