Xhani
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Xhani is a historical Albanian tribe (fis) and ethnographic region located on the western side of the upper Kir river in the wider region of Pulti, northern Albania.
Xhani derives its name from the anthroponym Iohannes and is attested in various forms such as: Xhaj, Xhovani, Gjani, Joani, Ghoanni, Giovagni, Gioagni, Huan, and Zuanni.[1][2] Italian missionaries serving in the region also Italianized the tribal name as Giovanni.[3]
Geography
Origin
It is believed that the Xhani were among the anas (indigenous) fise of the Shkreli tribal territory, and that they were driven out of their native lands following the expansion of the Shkreli across the valley of the Përroi i Thatë.[5] The modern settlement of Xhaj in Shkrel, between Ducaj and Makaj, is connected to the Xhani. Giuseppe Valentini further elaborates that 30 families of the Xhani are descended from a widow who was married in Shkreli but had returned to her birthplace with her children following her husband's death.[6]