Riđani

The Riđani (Serbian: Риђани) was a tribe in Old Herzegovina (later annexed by the Principality of Montenegro) that existed since the late medieval period, first mentioned in 1335, until the mid-18th century. The Krivošije, Grahovo and Rudine brotherhoods claim descent from the Riđani.

The first mention of Riđani was in a 1335 document. The territory where they lived was between the Zeta river in the Onogošt župa (county) and Ledenice near Risan and Klobuk.

In the first half of the 15th century, the Riđani tribe populated the territory between the mountains of Konavle, Dračevica and Vrsinje (modern day Zupci). At that time, this territory belonged to the Duchy of Saint Sava. Their knez was Radivoj Sladojević. According to some legends, they populated the territory of Krivošije and Cerovo Ždrijelo near Grahovo.

The earliest Ragusan sources about this tribe are early 15th-century records in which they are mentioned as Vlachi Rigiani. In 1429, the Ragusan senate invited them to take their livestock to Konavle mountains during the summer, for a certain fee. Riđani had their own knez in 1435. In a 1438 document, Đukan Milojević was mentioned as knez of Riđani. Riđani frequently invaded the region of Konavle and robbed it, so Ragusans complained to Stjepan Vukčić Kosača.

A 1441 document tells of their attacks and robbing of Ragusan merchant convoys. One 1451 document indicate that Riđani populated the region between Risan, Kotor and Vrsinje.

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