Gorani Community

The Gorani community is a Slav-speaking, predominantly Islamic group which, is recognized as a separate ethnic group. The Gorani community originates from the Gora region, which covers southern Kosovo and borders parts of Macedonia and Albania. The Gorani community celebrates the beginning of the spring which is known as Ðurdevdan (St. George day), which is also recognized by law as the official day of the Gorani community (6 May).

Traditional Gorani Folk music includes a two-beat dance called “kolo” (circle), which is a circle dance focused on foot movements. It is often accompanied by instrumental music made with a Zurle or Kavan called “nebet” or “nibet” depending on the village. 

The community is concentrated primarily in the municipality of Dragash/Dragaš, living mainly in the town of Dragash/Dragaš and surrounding villages.

Smaller Gorani communities can also be found scattered across Kosovo, primarily in the municipalities of Prizren, Mitrovica/Mitrovicë North, Prishtinë/Priština, and Pejë/Peć.

Currently the majority of the Gorani population resides outside of the Gora region, in other areas of Kosovo, Macedonia, and Albania, as well as in Serbia and Western Europe and the United States of America.

The Gorani language, is closely related to the language spoken in the western part of Macedonia and, although it is different to other Slav dialects spoken in Kosovo, it can be understood by Serbian, Croatian and Bosnian speakers. The language has not been standardized and no descriptive scholarly work on the Gorani language is available.

The Gorani community has one (1) seat guaranteed in the Kosovo Assembly, and nominates two (2) members of the CCC.