Abstract ID: 3.13278 | Accepted as Poster | Talk/Oral | TBA | TBA

Nikc, an upland settlement in the Cem Valley of High Albania, is one of the last regions in Europe where the tribal system remained intact until the rise of communism in 1944, which transformed the community’s traditional lifestyle. The Kelmend tribe, deeply rooted in this region’s isolation, developed a unique cultural identity based on livestock breeding and, to a lesser extent, farming. The tribe’s social structure was reflected in its hamlets, which were organized around family units within broader kinship networks. These settlements served as both physical spaces and social structures, with the extended family or “brotherhood” central to resource management, decision-making, and the preservation of cultural practices. The design of the hamlets, with self-sufficient homes and agricultural spaces, was influenced by the harsh natural environment and the tribe’s dependence on ecological stewardship passed down through generations. This research explores the relationship between the Kelmend tribe’s lifestyle and its settlements, utilizing building archaeology and oral histories to investigate the evolution of settlement patterns and cultural traditions. The study emphasizes the symbiotic connection between the people, their land, and their resources, offering insights into how these remote hamlets both sustained and reflected the tribe’s cultural identity over time.