Origin of Albanians
So, a long, long time ago, there were people who lived in a place called Illyria. This was a big area that covered parts of what is now Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro, and other nearby countries. These people were called Illyrians.
Over time, some of the Illyrians moved around and mixed with other groups of people who lived nearby. One group that they mixed with a lot were the ancient Greeks.
Eventually, a new group of people emerged from all these mixings and minglings. These people were the ancestors of the Albanians! They spoke a language that was different from both the Illyrian and the Greek languages. It's still spoken today and is called Albanian.
The Albanians didn't have their own country for a long time. They lived in these areas where different groups of people had been living for centuries. Sometimes the Albanians would live under the rule of the Greeks or the Romans, then later they were ruled by the Byzantines, the Bulgarians, and the Ottomans.
But even though they didn't have their own country, the Albanians kept their unique culture, traditions, and language. They also developed a strong sense of national identity, and in the early 20th century, they finally gained their independence and formed the country of Albania that we know today.
Over time, some of the Illyrians moved around and mixed with other groups of people who lived nearby. One group that they mixed with a lot were the ancient Greeks.
Eventually, a new group of people emerged from all these mixings and minglings. These people were the ancestors of the Albanians! They spoke a language that was different from both the Illyrian and the Greek languages. It's still spoken today and is called Albanian.
The Albanians didn't have their own country for a long time. They lived in these areas where different groups of people had been living for centuries. Sometimes the Albanians would live under the rule of the Greeks or the Romans, then later they were ruled by the Byzantines, the Bulgarians, and the Ottomans.
But even though they didn't have their own country, the Albanians kept their unique culture, traditions, and language. They also developed a strong sense of national identity, and in the early 20th century, they finally gained their independence and formed the country of Albania that we know today.