Exploring Albanian Culture
Albania is one of the smallest European countries–smaller than the U.S. state of Maryland! The terrain is mostly mountainous, with rustic castles and white-sand beaches luring an increasing number of tourists each year. Albanians place a large value on families and their ethnic heritage. In fact, they honor a traditional code called besa, which translates to “keep the promise.” It is believed that observing besa, which includes family honor and hospitality, is the foundation for a successful life.
Linguistic Affiliation.The Albanian language, shqip, is Indo-European, although it is not a member of any of the major branches of the Indo-European family. Despite its Indo-European affiliation and presence in the Balkans since ancient times, it is difficult to pinpoint the exact ancestry of the Albanian language because of the radical transformations that have taken place within it through the centuries. Among these transformations has been a substantial reduction in word length and extreme morphological alterations. Whether the Albanian language stems from Illyrian or Thracian, both, or neither is a matter of contention. The theory of the Illyrian origin of the Albanian people is the one most widely accepted in Albania and has been raised to the level of a national and state ideology. There is little evidence to prove or disprove this theory, since little is known about the Illyrian language.
Identification.According to the Austrian linguist Gustav Meyer (1850–1900), shqip(“Albanian language”), shqiptar(“Albanian”), and Shqipëria (“Albania”) are related to the Albanian verb shqipoj (“to speak clearly”) and shqiptoj(“to pronounce”) and can be linked to the Latin excipio and excipere (“to listen to, take up, hear”). The Albanologist Maximilian Lambertz (1882–1963) preferred a connection with the Albanian shqipeor shqiponjë (“eagle”), which is the symbol of Albania.
The current flag, bearing this black double-headed eagle on a red background, was officially raised on 28 November, 1912 to mark the declaration of Albanian independence in Vlorë and has been used since that time by the Republic of Albania and by Albanians everywhere as the national symbol.
In Albanian oral literature and folklore, the eagle appears as a symbol of freedom and heroism, and Albanians often refer to themselves as the “Sons of the Eagle.” The popularity of the eagle among Albanians derives from the similarity between the words shqipe(eagle) and the terms for the Albanian language, an Albanian person, and Albania.
Another beloved symbol is the Albanian prince and national hero Scanderbeg (1405–1468). His real name was George Castriotta (Gjergj Kastrioti). Sent by his father as a hostage to the Turkish Sultan Murad II (ruled 1421–1451), he was converted to Islam and, after being educated in Edirne, was given the name Iskander (Alexander) and the rank of bey. In 1443, after the Turkish defeat at Nish by John Corvinus Hunyadi (1385–1456), Scanderbeg abandoned the Ottoman army, returned to Albania, and embraced Christianity. He took over the central Albanian fortress of Kruja and was proclaimed commander in chief of an independent Albanian army. In the following years, Scanderbeg successfully repulsed thirteen Ottoman invasions and was widely admired in the Christian world for his resistance to the Turks, being accorded the title Athleta Christiby Pope Calixtus III (ruled 1455–1458). Scanderbeg died on 17 January 1468 at Lezha (Alessio), and Albanian resistance collapsed a decade afterward. In 1478, his fortress at Kruja was taken by the Turks, and Albania experienced four centuries of Ottoman rule. For Albanians, Scanderbeg is the symbol of resistance to foreign domination and a source of inspiration in both oral and written literature. It is common in the homes of Albanian families living abroad to find not only an Albanian flag but also a bust or portrait of Scanderbeg.
Family Dynamic
In Albania, most households consist of parents (or a parent) and their children. Some households have more than one relative living with the family, such as grandparents, aunts, and uncles. Typically, in Albania, both parents work and are financially responsible for the family. The roles of women and men are also different in Albania. Usually, the father is the head of the family and makes big decisions, while the mother takes care of the children and the house. Both roles are highly respected. Hiring a housekeeper is not common in Albania; however, in the capital of Tirana, some middle- and upper-income families can now afford to have a housekeeper. In low and middle incoming families, the mother does the cleaning; children are required to clean up their own room or help their mothers.
Albania is small and it is typical for people to know each other. Parents often spend time with their family members and friends, and they try to socialize their children. Meeting with cousins or friends of the family and their children is normal. Depending on the size of the apartment, teenagers will typically spend time alone in their rooms. Many parents in Albania are actively involved in supporting or helping to arrange their children’s extracurricular activities. Albanian parents are often in frequent, direct contact with their children’s teachers at school and are kept aware of their academic progress through regular meetings.
Holidays
On March 14 (Spring Day), Albanians celebrate by buying the traditional dessert “ballokume,” participating in different celebrations in town centers, or going out for lunch with their families and relatives. Independence and Flag Day are the most important holidays in the country. Both holidays are celebrated with festivals, fireworks, and time spent with family at home or together outside the city. New Year is another important celebration. After midnight, everyone goes downtown to watch fireworks and, after having a family dinner at home, young people usually go to clubs to celebrate with their close friends. Another holiday is the Day of Mother Theresa on October 19.
The most important religious celebrations in Albania are Christmas (both Catholic and Orthodox), Easter (both Catholic and Orthodox), Eid al-Adha, Eid al-Fitr, and Sultan Nowruz Day (Bektashi).
Official Language
Albanian is the official language of Albania. It has two distinct dialects: Tosk, spoken in the south, and Gheg, spoken in the north.
The Albanian Food
Albania has a Mediterranean cuisine with a strong influence from the Ottoman Empire, as in all Balkan countries. Traditional specialties include varieties of gjellë (boiled vegetables with meat), fasule (bean stew), turshi (pickled vegetables), byrek (a pastry) with vegetables, cottage cheese, or minced meat, and tavë kosi (meat or liver baked in yogurt).