Nikšići

The Nikšić tribe (Serbian: pleme Nikšići/племе Никшићи) was one of the historical tribes in the Ottoman Sanjak of Herzegovina, constituting the Nikšić nahija. It was part of Old Herzegovina, that in 1858 was de facto incorporated into the Principality of Montenegro.

According to oral tradition collected by Serbian historian Petar Šobajić, the tribe had originated from Nikša, who was the son of ban Ilijon of Grbalj and maternally a Nemanjić. Nikša had moved from lands around Morača monastery to what is now Župa Nikšićka directly after the death of Serbian prince Stefan Vukanović Nemanjić (13th century), his relative. It is considered that the tribe wasn't founded by only one individual, yet several related families, who were led by certain Nikša, a prominent figure. The tribe who gave its name to the old župa (county) of Onogošt, found there native tribe; in the West Riđani (the strongest tribe), Lužani lived in Župa, while Drobnjaci in the North to the mountains Vojnik and Durmitor. Until 14th century were a very strong tribe, repressing Lužani and Drobnjaci, and tradition talks about many conflicts between them and Riđani. In the 16th century there lived only Nikšići and Riđani.

First mentioned of the tribe (vlachs nikšiki) is in 1399 Dubrovnik letter to Jelena Balšić. In the same year are mentioned in Kotor documents (Nichsich de Zenta). In 1447 is recorded that captured Dubrovnik messenger and sold him to the Turks. In 1455 are listed among tribes and villages in Zeta who signed an agreement with Venetians in Vranjina. They simultaneously used the name Onogošti until 17th century and further.

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