Clan KUZMAN

IN LJEŠEV STUP from ancient times lived only two clans - Popivoda and Kuzman, whose ancestors once called differently. It is not known that in the village existed the third clan, because under Lješevostupci they always assumed only these two clans. They were always referred as a family, and such relations is held until today, but it was not possible to find genealogical connection between these families.

Kuzman began to migrate much earlier than Popivoda, and were always fewer. According to data obtained so far, the first Kuzman family who has emigrated from the Lješev Stup, probably between the 1780 and 1790. They first settled in the village Kosić in Bjelopavlići, and later moved to the village Ćurilac near Danilovgrad, where their descendants live today. Unlike all other Kuzman their surname is Kuzmanović. It is uncertain whether they had the last name before they went from Lješev Stup or modify it later, but it seems to be true the latter. Cross saint day St. Jovan they changed in St. Petar day, because that was the celebration of all the other villagers, while the original celebration was retained as second. Necessity to change the law, seen by the fact that they had to adapt to the the village and change Cross Saint Day, because of poverty could not bear high costs of receiving the whole village. Among other things, this tradition confirms their origin from the Lješev Stup. Further confirmation of the tradition that they long ago moved out and the village is the fact that they (after the liberation from the Turks 1878.) received all rights as Bjelopavlići the use of "mountain", the grazing and the summer  katun on the hills Vukotica, where they still have private properties. In contrast to the fact that right did not get some other families from Bjelice (Milići) who migrated there after the 1878. because they were treated as immigrants.

Turkish occupation, poor communication and other adverse conditions, have made that connection with their ancestral village very poor, and are only somewhat restored after World War II.

Next Kuzman emigration from the Lješev Stup was after the liberation of Montenegro from the Turks 1878. in the outskirts of Ulcinj, and Nikšić. Nikola Vukov Kuzman family moved to Ulcinj in the outskirts, and families of Krsto Kekonjin and Janko Šćepanov - to outskirts of Nikšić. About the relocation of Janko Šćepanov we found evidence in the census of 1879, and 1899.  The first listing (1879) in the Lješev Stup are inscribed 3 families Kuzman with 18 members (9 males and 9 females), and among them, Janko Šćepanov with his three sons: Đuro, Luka and Jošo (Jovan). In the time of the second listing, this family is listed in the village Krnjača, near Nikšić, but that list does not include Janko and his son Luka. Janko between the two listings probably died, and Luka moved to Pobori, a village above Budva. There are his descendants there today, but most of them live in Kotor.

Nikola Vukov and Krsto Kekonjin are not covered by any of these lists, so it is likely that they moved in 1878, or the 1879. before it was made listing in Lješev Stup. The Register book of the dead of Bjelice parish under the date 28. October 1868. (c. cal.) registered the death of Krstinja Nikolina Kuzman, 30 years old, which "remained at the death of sons 3", which means that the Nikola family then lived in Lješev Stup, but Eleven years later (in the time of the Census 1879.) it was no longer located there. Descendants of Nikola, Krsto and Janko live in Ulcinj, Nikšić, Titograd and other places.

Dr Jovan Erdeljanović in 1810. in the Lješev Stup found only 3 families Kuzman.  But one by one they have emigrated too. Between the two world wars in Metohija moved Mićo Đokov Kuzman with sons Radoje, Marko, Ilija, Milan and Nikola; Savo Đokov spent in America over 30 years (back in 1947), his son Miloš left to seek work, while the line of Jovan Milutinov died, and the household ceased to exist. On the eve of the war 1941. in Lješev Stup (in Kosača) lived Blagoje Đokov with his son Milovan. Today, in the village does not live even one more family Kuzman, but they kept their property (in Moma Do and Kosača).

Kuzman were good warriors, in the tribe peaceful and appreciated. The most famous member of this family was Vuko-Vuk Bjelanov Kuzman, the famous hero and commander. So famous he was that even Njegoš wrote special song. This song is called "Bjelici" and begins:

"Podiže se Kuzman od Belicah"

i sa njim su tri četiri druga"

.   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .

The song later says how the Vuk came in Crmnica and sent a letter to Mehmed-aga of Bar:

" Mehmed-aga slušaj što ti kažem!

ako zulum nećeš ostaviti

što ga činiš barskoj sirotinji,

kunem ti se vjerom i zakonom,

al ' ću moju izgubiti glavu

ali tvoju prije okinuti"

.   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .

As aga answered him with contempt Vuk is "gathered a small detachment", and went to make a promise.  Companion were left behind the city walls, and he jumped in Mehmed Aga tower.

" Pa Vuk uždi dvije puške male,

te pogodi agu Mehmed-agu

i Osmana, brata haginoga

.   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .

U Crmnicu otle se vratiše

iz Crmnice zdravo u Bjelice".

Interesting poetic motive - that the Vuk Kuzman from Bjelica, over the whole of Rijeka and Crmnica district, went to Bar to punish Mehmed-aga, who to "poor of Bar" makes oppression. This testifies to the very battle, warrior psychology and high mobility of this hero. And refers to the tradition which says that he permanently led campaigns in Herzegovina, the Brda, to the Bar, Boka and other regions.

In the explanations he gave to the Njegoš songs, Radovan Lalić writes: "Kuzman are the clan from Bjelice, a branch of the wider clan Popivoda. Protagonist of the song, Vuk Kuzman (...) famous Montenegrin hero lived at the time of Bishop Petar I, famous especially by its campaigns in Herzegovina. The killing of Mehmed-age of Bar is among his most famous exploits. He participated by the tradition, in the Battle of Krusi (1796) and in the war against Napoleon's army in the Bay of Kotor and Dalmatia (1806-1813).  Sung in the national tradition, and even today can sometimes hear the song with the lyrics: "No Cuca as the Giljen Jovo, nor Bjelica like Kuzman Vuk.

Was born 1775. in Lješev Stup in the hamlet Moma Do, where today can be seen ruins of his house. As older say, was buried at the church in Prediš in stone grave near the left corner of the church, viewed from the front. He had two sons, Milutin and Nikola. Milutin was also well-known and respected warrior Bjelica, so Njegoš took him as perjanik, his lineage ends with the son, Jovan, who had not descendants. Vuk second son, Nikola, as we have said, moved to Ulcinj in 1878, and 1879, where, as a deserving warrior he was assigned property.

Kuzman in old registers, were listed as Kuzman as well as Kuzmanović. That does not mean that there are two families, because the names show that it is one, but it is done by personal opinion of the priest which entered them. Today, surname Kuzmanović have only descendants of them who in the late 18th century moved to Bjelopavlići, while all others bear the old name - Kuzman.