The Berziti (Bulgarian language, Bulgarian, Macedonian language, Macedonian and sr, Берзити; el, Βερζῆτες) were a South Slavs, South Slavic tribe that settled in Byzantine Macedonia (region), Macedonia in the 7th century AD with the Slavic invasion of the Balkans. The Berziti settled in the vicinity of Lychnidos (Ohrid). One part of the same tribe settled in Brest, Belarus, while another, also known as Brsjaci (Macedonian language, Macedonian and sr, Брсјаци; bg, Бърсяци, ''Barsyatsi''), moved south into the Balkans.

Etymology

There are several theories as to the origin of the name "Brsjaci", according to the folk etymologies of the Mijaks recorded by Toma Smiljanić-Bradina the name comes from the Brsjak's great physical strength and endurance and propensity for violence and revolt with theories such as: "Brz i jak" meaning "fast and strong", and "Brziti" meaning "the fast ones" because of their supposed ability to run as fast as horses. Serbian writer Grigorije Božović also recorded similar findings which he ties to the Brsjaks ability to traverse mountains with ease and considers the name "Brsjak" to be synonymous with "Highlander". According to Toma Smiljanić-Bradina the Brsjaks are named after the food that they gave their livestock which is called "brst".

Distribution

The Brsjaci mostly inhabit areas in the central and western part of Macedonia with the Vardar river forming the eastern boundary, bordering the Mijaks to the west with the Bistra (mountain), Bistra as a boundary, and to the south to Prespa and Pelagonija, the Brsjak identity is best preserved in the Azot (region), Azot region due to settlements of a rival tribe the Mijaks.

References

Slavic tribes in Macedonia Sclaveni Ohrid Municipality {{Serbia-hist-stub

Etymology

Distribution

See also

References