Selam Musai

1860 – 1920

Freedom Fighter
Band Commander

Selam Musai was a popular leader from the mountain village of Salaria, born into a wealthy and generous family with wide ties. A former Ottoman conscript who served in Yemen, he became a respected band leader and a symbol of patriotism and popular heroism in Labëria.

Salaria (Salari), Tepelena

Born: 1860Salaria (Salari)
Died: 1920Qafë e Koçiut, near Vlora
Role: Popular leader, band commander
Affiliation: National Defense CommitteeCommander of the Tabors of Tepelena
Region: Labëria, Tepelena
Title: Hero of the PeopleDeclared by the Presidium of the People's Assembly

Why He Matters

Symbol of Labëria's patriotism
His sacrifice at Qafë e Koçiut made him a symbol of patriotism, determination and popular heroism in Labëria and across Albania.
Host to the national movement
His house served as a center where leading patriots and bands such as Çerçiz Topulli's gathered, and he supported them with money, gunpowder and arms.
Remembered in song
A folk song about him, recorded by Bilbil Vlora in the late 1920s, was later recorded at Radio Tirana in 1953 and heard nationwide.

Key Moments

1860
Born in Salaria
Selam Musai was born in the mountain village of Salaria.
1911
Signs the Çepo memorandum
He was among the 43 band chiefs who signed the memorandum of the Assembly of Çepo.
1912
Fights at Bezhan
He led fierce battles against the Greeks in the Janina area and was wounded.
1914
Battles against the andartes
He led bands against Greek irregulars at Gribë, Ormovë, Labovë and elsewhere in the south.
1920
Commands the Tabors of Tepelena
He was appointed commander of the Tabors of Tepelena for the War of Vlora.
June 1920
Dies at Qafë e Koçiut
He gave his life facing Italian cannons at the pass of Koçiu.