Shote Galica

Femër Friday!

This week’s focus is on Shote Galica.

Born Qerime Halil Radisheva in Drenica, Kosova, Shote was the only sister of 6 brothers, how’s that for a çike hasretit?

At 20 years old, she married Azem Galica and in 1919, at the age of 26, she and her husband joined the Albanian uprising and fought Yugoslav forces in Junik.

At the time she was known for her ferocity in battle as well as her wisdom. She is credited with saying, “Jeta pa dije është si një luftë pa armë” (Life without knowledge is like a war without weapons).

After Azem’s death in 1925, she took control of his band of kaçaks and fought with Bajram Curri (shoutout to my Tropojane mom’s side of the family) in Prizren (Kosova) and Lumë (Albania).

She eventually moved to Fushë-Krujë in Albania and in 1927, and at the age of 31, died. She was posthumously awarded the title of Heroinë e Popullit (“Heroine of the People”) in Albania.

Her legacy lives on, in songs, novels, legends and even imagery. Her plis and braid have become synonymous with feminine strength among Albanian people and is often replicated as a nod to Shote’s legacy.