The Tanazaj mill

The water mill in Malësi e Madhe, apart from other functions, had an essential importance in the materialization of the raw material with which Xhubleta was realized. Basically, this raw material is woollen material with a characteristic density, which in the community slang is called Shajak. The density and quality of shajak influenced the evaluation and positioning of Xhubleta so much that the inhabitants of Malësi e Madhe say… a good xhubleta stands on its own . In order to achieve such a quality, the wool had to be beaten in Vajanicë, which was equipped with several water mills in Malesia e Madhe. One of the most popular Water Mills with Vajanicë in the area was the Tanazajve Mill , built by the brothers Nikë and Fran Lula. Located in Grabom of Malësi e Madhe, the Tanazajve Mill was positioned, naturally, by the river Cem and has served in the realization of the shajak of many xhubleta in the area. Beating the wool in the vajanica has traditionally been a job that was entrusted to men, which also confirms their contribution to the realization of Xubleta. According to the information of Nik Lula’s son, the Tanazaj millstones were ordered in Mitrovica, Kosovo. Today, unfortunately, this mill no longer exists because it was damaged, according to the residents of the area, as a result of the erosion of soil and stones during the construction of the road that connects Kelmendi with Shkodra. However, despite the difficult terrain, its ruins can still be seen, a “hardened” evidence of the early tradition of beating the shajak in vajanica .