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Torbeši
The Torbeši (Macedonian: Торбеши) are a Macedonian-speaking Muslim ethnoreligious group in North Macedonia and Albania. The Torbeši are also referred to as Macedonian Muslims (Macedonian: Македонци-муслимани, romanized: Makedonci-muslimani) or Muslim Macedonians. They have been religiously distinct from the Orthodox Christian Macedonian community for centuries, and are linguistically distinct from the larger Muslim ethnic groups in the greater region of Macedonia: the Albanians, Turks and Romanis. However, some Torbeši also still maintain a strong affiliation with Turkish identity and with Macedonian Turks. The regions inhabited by these Macedonian-speaking Muslims are Debarska Župa, Dolni Drimkol, Reka, and Golo Brdo (in Albania).
Many ethnonyms are used for the Macedonian-speaking Muslims. The most widespread ethnonym, which is also their endonym, is Torbeši. There are numerous theories on the origin of the term. Some link it to an old Slavic tribe Torbeachei, whereas other theories have suggested a derivation from the Persian torbekes meaning person with a bag. According to one theory, the Torbeši were a group of public servants in the Ottoman Empire tasked to carry bags (Turkish: torba oglanlari). Some scholars have linked the term with the kutugeri, a group of Bogomil missionaries who carried bags. The most common explanation in North Macedonia of the origin of the term is that the Torbeš sold their faith for a bag (torba in Macedonian) of goods from the Ottomans.
Among other names ascribed to them are Macedonian-speaking Muslims, Našinci, Apovci, Poturi and Turci (Turks). They are also referred to as Macedonian Muslims or Muslim Macedonians.
In some sources, Macedonian-speaking Muslims are grouped together with Pomaks and Gorani. The Macedonian-speaking Muslims of Gollobordë are also known as Gollobordas.
The Torbeši are largely the descendants of Orthodox Christian Slavs from the region of Macedonia who were converted to Islam during the centuries when the Ottoman Empire ruled the Balkans. The various Sufi orders (like the Khalwati, Rifa'is and Qadiris) all played a role in the conversion of the Slavic and Paulician population.
Torbeši who identify as ethnic Macedonians claim to be "the truest Macedonians" who speak "clean Macedonian" and have maintained traditions and customs for centuries, unlike their Orthodox Macedonian counterparts.
The largest concentration of Torbeš can be found in western North Macedonia and eastern Albania. Most of the villages in Debar regions are populated by Torbeš. The Struga municipality also holds a large number of Macedonian Muslims who are primarily concentrated in the large village of Labuništa. Further north in the Debar region many of the surrounding villages are inhabited by Torbeš. The Dolna Reka region is also primarily populated by Torbeš. Places such as Rostuša and also have large Torbeš populations. There are also major concentrations in the central region of North Macedonia, surrounding the Plasnica municipality and the Dolneni municipality.
Torbešija is an ethnographic region in the Marko's River Valley south of Skopje, today within Studeničani Municipality. Torbeš began settling in the area in the second half of the 18th century. Beginning in the 20th century, many Torbeš left the area for Turkey or Skopje.
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Torbeši
The Torbeši (Macedonian: Торбеши) are a Macedonian-speaking Muslim ethnoreligious group in North Macedonia and Albania. The Torbeši are also referred to as Macedonian Muslims (Macedonian: Македонци-муслимани, romanized: Makedonci-muslimani) or Muslim Macedonians. They have been religiously distinct from the Orthodox Christian Macedonian community for centuries, and are linguistically distinct from the larger Muslim ethnic groups in the greater region of Macedonia: the Albanians, Turks and Romanis. However, some Torbeši also still maintain a strong affiliation with Turkish identity and with Macedonian Turks. The regions inhabited by these Macedonian-speaking Muslims are Debarska Župa, Dolni Drimkol, Reka, and Golo Brdo (in Albania).
Many ethnonyms are used for the Macedonian-speaking Muslims. The most widespread ethnonym, which is also their endonym, is Torbeši. There are numerous theories on the origin of the term. Some link it to an old Slavic tribe Torbeachei, whereas other theories have suggested a derivation from the Persian torbekes meaning person with a bag. According to one theory, the Torbeši were a group of public servants in the Ottoman Empire tasked to carry bags (Turkish: torba oglanlari). Some scholars have linked the term with the kutugeri, a group of Bogomil missionaries who carried bags. The most common explanation in North Macedonia of the origin of the term is that the Torbeš sold their faith for a bag (torba in Macedonian) of goods from the Ottomans.
Among other names ascribed to them are Macedonian-speaking Muslims, Našinci, Apovci, Poturi and Turci (Turks). They are also referred to as Macedonian Muslims or Muslim Macedonians.
In some sources, Macedonian-speaking Muslims are grouped together with Pomaks and Gorani. The Macedonian-speaking Muslims of Gollobordë are also known as Gollobordas.
The Torbeši are largely the descendants of Orthodox Christian Slavs from the region of Macedonia who were converted to Islam during the centuries when the Ottoman Empire ruled the Balkans. The various Sufi orders (like the Khalwati, Rifa'is and Qadiris) all played a role in the conversion of the Slavic and Paulician population.
Torbeši who identify as ethnic Macedonians claim to be "the truest Macedonians" who speak "clean Macedonian" and have maintained traditions and customs for centuries, unlike their Orthodox Macedonian counterparts.
The largest concentration of Torbeš can be found in western North Macedonia and eastern Albania. Most of the villages in Debar regions are populated by Torbeš. The Struga municipality also holds a large number of Macedonian Muslims who are primarily concentrated in the large village of Labuništa. Further north in the Debar region many of the surrounding villages are inhabited by Torbeš. The Dolna Reka region is also primarily populated by Torbeš. Places such as Rostuša and also have large Torbeš populations. There are also major concentrations in the central region of North Macedonia, surrounding the Plasnica municipality and the Dolneni municipality.
Torbešija is an ethnographic region in the Marko's River Valley south of Skopje, today within Studeničani Municipality. Torbeš began settling in the area in the second half of the 18th century. Beginning in the 20th century, many Torbeš left the area for Turkey or Skopje.