Arvanites
| File:FArvanites.jpg | |
| Total population: | 140,000-1,600,000 (est.) |
| Significant populations in: | Greece: 140,000-1,600,000 (est.) |
| Language | Arvanitic, Greek |
| Religion | Greek Orthodox |
Arvanites (Αρbε̰ρόρ, Arbërór or Σ̈κ̇ιπτάρ, Shqiptár in Arvanitic, Arvanitë in Albanian, Αρβανίτες, Arvanítes in Greek) are a people originating in central Albania that settled in various Greek lands during the Middle Ages. Their current population is estimated at anywhere from 140,000 to 1,600,000.
They are predominantly Greek Orthodox in religious adherence and their language, Arvanitic, is a form of Tosk Albanian that has been heavily influenced by Greek over the centuries. They have gradually developed a Greek national consciousness and are almost fully assimilated into Greek society. Nevertheless, some of their distinct cultural characteristics are still identifiable. There are music CDs featuring Arvanitic songs although the lyrics are often in Greek.
Arvanites played a prominent role in the Greek War of Independence.
Arvanites historically lived mostly in central and southern Greece, especially in Continental Greece (Στερεά Ελλάδα, Stereá Elládha), the Peloponnese (Πελοπόννησος, Pelopónnisos) and the adjacent islands. Arvanites also live near the Albanian border, in most of Epirus and in the prefectures of Florina and Kastoria.
Like the rest of the Greek population, Arvanites have been emigrating from their villages to the cities and especially to the capital Athens, which, incidentally, was populated by many Arvanites in the early 1800s, before becoming the Greek state's capital.