The author discusses the emigration
of population from a specific
agrarian and cattle-breeding area
named Rugova (Kosovo). The area
in question presents in
geographical, historical and
ethnographic sense a clearly
isolated community, consisting of
13 villages of straggling type, with
approximately 3,000 inhabitants.
The district is homogenous, with
regard to the way of life, customs
and values, nationality structure
(Albanian population), language
(Albanian), religion (Moslems),
appertainance (Kelemend), etc.
Under conditions of homogenous
classical agrarian way of life, the
population of Rugova has
through centuries been chained to
the native soil. The only
exception were temporary
desertions caused by war, unstable
political situations, pressures from
various national regimes,
economical motives (seasonal
stockbreeding) etc. The largest emigrations from
Rugova, that turned into
the definite migration type, were
conditioned by economical factors.
Incomes from cattle-breeding and
farming, based upon the extensive
way of utilization of natural
goods, could not procure enough
means for life of a larger and
constantly increasing number of
people, so the emigration of
»stomach in search of bread«
started. Desertions of the native
soil have been known since the
Turks\u27 time, and have later grown
more intense, especially after
World War II. In all periods the
emigration of population from
Rugova has been directed towards
the rich valley called »Dukađinska
nizija«, highly suitable for
agriculture. Emigration has been so strong that in spite of the high
natural increase, the population
of Rugova increased in the period
1948—1961 only by 17 percent (the
Albanian population of Kosovo
by 84 percent), while in the period
1961—1971 only by 2 percent (the
Albanian population of the
Province by 42 percent). In several
villages relative as well as absolute
depopulation took place.
Unfortunately, Rugova has still no
trafic Communications, no
electricity, no complete elementary
school, no out-patient clinic, no
oultural institutions or servicing,
the population is without health
insurance, etc. All these
circumstances, accompanied by
inadequate social basis, make life
of Rugova inhabitants more
difficult, and accordingly,
encourage emigration. Other
important channels, by which
people leave, are schooling,
marriage, etc.
Under such depresive circumstances
the complete depopulation of
Rugova is to be expected in near
future. It will mean the extinction
of a historically and culturally very
interesting area, with numerous
specific characteristics. It will also
mean the extinction of
cattle-breeding, for which there are
very favourable natural conditions,
as well as for tourism, vacations
and recreation. Social care and
initiative, however small, could
influence the intensity and
selection of emigration
