Pretash Zeka Ulaj (1882–1962) was an

Albanian Albanian may refer to: *Pertaining to Albania in Southeast Europe; in particular: **Albanians, an ethnic group native to the Balkans **Albanian language **Albanian culture **Demographics of Albania, includes other ethnic groups within the country ...

military figure in the

Albanian Revolt of 1911 The Malissori uprising or the Albanian revolt of 1911 was one of many Albanians, Albanian revolts in the Ottoman Empire and lasted from 24 March 1911 until 4 August 1911 in the region of Malësia (also spelled Malissori). Background The main ...

. He was the ''

bajrak The ''bajrak'' (; pronounced or , meaning "banner" or "flag") was an Ottoman Empire, Ottoman Administrative division, territorial unit, consisting of villages in mountainous frontier regions of the Balkans, from which military recruitment was ba ...

tar'' (flag-bearer) of

Koja e Kuçit Koja e Kuçit (Koja of Kuçi) is a historical Albanian tribe and region in Malësia. Koja is a Catholic region located between Triepshi and Kuči. The people of Koja are referred to as ''Kojanë'' or ''Koqas''. History Koja is the smallest ...

in Montenegro. He was distinguished

Battle of Deçiq The Battle of Deçiq (; Serbian language, Serbian: / Битка код Дечића) was a battle between Albanian tribesmen and Ottoman forces during the Albanian revolt of 1911, Malësori uprising of 1911. It was a turning point for Albania, A ...

, fought near

Tuzi Tuzi (, ; or ''Tuzi'') is a small town in the central region of Montenegro, and the seat of Tuzi Municipality. It is located along a main road between the city of Podgorica and the Albanian border crossing, just a few kilometers north of Lake S ...

in 1911 between Albanian highlanders and the Ottoman troops of Shefket Turgut Pasha.

Life

Pretash was born in Kojë (Koći), an Albanian-inhabited village in eastern

Montenegro , image_flag = Flag of Montenegro.svg , image_coat = Coat of arms of Montenegro.svg , coa_size = 80 , national_motto = , national_anthem = () , image_map = Europe-Mont ...

, close to the border of Albania, the second oldest of the 11 sons of Zek Nika Ulaj. His brothers also helped defend their border town against advancing Turks and Slavs into the Albanian

Malësia Malësia e Madhe ("Great Highlands"), known simply as Malësia (, ), is a historical and ethnographic region in northern Albania and eastern central Montenegro corresponding to the highlands of the geographical subdivision of the Malësi e Madhe ...

region. Pretash was the leader of the Kojë brotherhood (of the village of Kojë), an Albanian enclave within the Kuči mountain of Montenegro. On April 6, 1911, the Malësor Warriors led by

Ded Gjo Luli Dedë Gjon Luli Dedvukaj, also referred to as Ded Gjo Luli and Deda (November 1840 – 24 September 1915), was an Albanian guerrilla leader most notable for commanding the Malissori uprising against Ottoman troops. He was posthumously awarded t ...

reached the top of the strategic peak of Deçiq at the

. Many died that day and the Ottomans were defeated. About a year and a half later, the

Albanian flag The flag of Albania () depicts a silhouetted black double-headed eagle in the center of a red background. The red stands for bravery, strength, valour and bloodshed, while the Eagle – traditionally the symbol of Albanians – represents the so ...

was risen officially in the southern town of Vlora. Since 2004, a bust of him stands in his home village Koja in

Tuzi Municipality Tuzi Municipality ( / ; ) is one of the 25 Municipalities of Montenegro. The municipal seat is the town of Tuzi. The municipality is located about 10 km south of the capital Podgorica and consists of more than 40 distinct settlements. The mun ...

Life

References

Further reading