March 5-7, days in the Kosovar Albanian community that will forever be
memorialized. During these dates in 1998, the Jashari (Yuh-Shar-E) family
compound was riddled with bullets, bombs and grenades. Hamez and Adem Jashari,
UÇK (Kosovo Liberation Army) commanders in the Drenica region were targeted, and
along with them, 53 family members and four guests were killed in a Serbian
military attack. In addition to the Jashari family, those trying to flee from
houses were also killed by Serbian snipers. There was one survivor of the
attack, Hamez Jashari’s eight year old daughter who hid under her mother’s
bread making table during the 2 day siege on her family's compound. This attack
is one of the catalyst for the US and international response against the
Yugoslav government in Kosovo. Here are some photos previously posted, of the Jashari compound and the memorial and museum.
Museum
Graves of the deceased
The homes most Jashari's were killed in
View of the destruction done by Serbian forces
On March 5th I joined my family, as well as hundreds of others, who
made a “pilgrimage” to the memorial to pay their respects and honor those who
perished in the attacks. We viewed the museum which contained artifacts form
the houses that were attacked, as well as personal items of the Jashari brothers.
Inside of the museum there is a banner with the names, photos and dates of life
of those women, men and children who were killed. On March 7th my
village, as well as the neighboring town celebrated this moment in history
known as Epopeja.
The above banner could be found all around my surrounding community in the
days leading up to the memorial date. The meaning of - Epopeja e Ushtrise Clirimtare
te Kosoves is - The Epic Liberation Army of Kosova. On March 7th, we
had a lighting ceremony at the memorial where Kosovar Military personnel first
set for to a large bonfire, and lit “torches” as they walked from the uppermost
section of the memorial and from the bombed compound to the resting place of
the deceased, lighting torches for all the deceased along the way. The lighting
of the bonfire was to signify to those in the neighboring town, where a square
is dedicated to Adem Jashari to begin their celebrations, which I was unable to
attend this year, but watched the celebratory concert after returning home.
I have attached a video from the local TV Station where they show the entire
procession, as well as the concert which began after. The procession starts at
3:30, and you also can continue watching to see popular Albanian entertainers
and traditional folk dances as well.
There is little to be found on Kosovo, its history, or this particular event, however I have provided this link to give you an insight.
Despite the lack of international knowledge of this event, the people, legacies and memories of this day as well as the mental and social impact it has had on my community is ever present and thought of.
~ Ashley
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