Nestled in the hearts of the Balkans and considered the last secret of Europe, Albania often surprises visitors with its stunning nature and ancient history. This is a fascinating country in many ways—a rich culture, an old, unique language, hospitable locals, and delicious food.
What more can you ask for? Well, there are many things to discover and learn during your stay in Albania, so I’ll give you a quick guide to the most important Albanian cultural facts that you should know. Some things might surprise you, so let’s dive in.
Table Of Contents
1. Old, Old Language
Albanians call their language Shqip, and in their tongue, they hold nothing less than a monumental artifact of the past. How old is Albanian, you might ask? It’s extremely difficult to put a date to it, but studies claim that it must have been spoken uninterrupted since thousands of years ago. Albanian is a version of the Thracian and Illyrian languages, which were spoken by an ancient tribe that inhabited the Balkan peninsula before the Greeks.
Nothing can prepare you for the sound of Albanian if you haven’t heard it before. Albanian forms the oldest branch of the Indo-European tree of languages, and it is unique, meaning it is closely related to none.
During the centuries-long invasion of the Ottomans, Albania was the only Balkan language banned from being spoken in public or taught in schools. This was a punishing measure aimed at suppressing the native population’s continued rebellions and discouraging national resistance. As the independence movement grew, the Albanian language became the major nation-forming element among Albanians. While other Balkan countries used religion as their unifying force in the 19th century, Albanians formed their modern national identity using their language as the cornerstone. “Shqip” comes from the verb “shqiptoj,” which means to speak clearly. It also means “eagle,” which is the national symbol, representing the indomitable spirit of Albanians and their struggle for independence.
2. Traditional Law – Kanun
The traditional law, also known as the Albanian Kanun, has been transmitted for centuries among Albanians. The most famous version is The Kanun of Leke Dukagjini, a medieval Albanian prince who lived in the fifteenth century and made a summary of the existing customary laws. It included the regulation of property rights, community and family affairs, honor, hospitality, and justice. These laws predated the Ottomans; however, it was them who called it Kanun during the reign of Suleiman, the Magnificent, as part of their efforts to allow secular laws in the empire for better governance.
3. Besa
Besa has no translation in English or any other language for that matter. The closest explanation is “the given word.” For Albanians, this is an institution of its own, regulated by the Kanun. An oath, or a promise; call it as you will, but when Albanians gave their Besa, there was no going back on it, even if the commitment to keep that promise meant death. Yes, it is that serious. Besa has been deeply integrated into the moral values, honor system, and culture of Albanians. For this reason, Besa was and, to an extent, is still used as a way to regulate all types of relationships.
4. The Flag
The Albanian flag is one of the five oldest flags in the world that is still being used today. It is the exact same as the flag of the Albanian noble house Kastrioti, which Skanderbeg raised in 1443 when he took the Kruja castle from the Ottomans. That was his first epic victory, among many others to come.
During the aims for independence, the Skanderbeg flag was adopted again as the national flag of the Albanians. It features a black double-headed eagle, which represents the national symbol and independence, standing in a red field that represents the martyrs’ blood for freedom. Well, this is the modern interpretation, at least. Very cool, right?
5. Gjergj Kastriot – Skanderbeg
Gjergj Kastriot Skanderbeg is an Albanian national hero and one of the greatest generals to have ever lived. It’s impossible to speak about Albanian culture and history without mentioning Skanderbeg, who is rightfully considered the father of the nation.
Gjergj Kastrioti was born on 6th May 1604, in the region of Mat, as a noble prince of House Kastrioti. However, he spent his youth in the Ottoman Empire capital, where he was taken as a political hostage. Skanderbeg was raised to serve the empire, and his skills and talent made him a rising star within the Ottoman military system. The Ottomans gave him the name Skender, which is the Muslim version of Alexander the Great and was reserved only for distinguished people. He also gained the title bey, equivalent to “lord” in the West. Hence the name Skanderbeg.
However, he never forgot his Albanian roots and left everything behind to claim his father’s lands and titles. Skanderbeg’s epic resistance against the Ottoman Empire changed the history of Europe. He was the last man standing between the West and the Islamic colonization. Under the concept of Besa, all the Albanian lords gathered around him and formed a united Albanian army and state, with Gjergj Kastrioti as ruler.
During his reign, Gjergj Kastrioti held the titles of Lord of Albania, King of Epirus, and Prince of Emathia (Mat). He was named by the pope as the Champion of Christ and was asked to be the leader of the last crusade. However, Skanderbeg died shortly after, and Albania was invaded again.
His extraordinary achievements and impact cannot be fully explained in such a short time. Gjergj Kastrioti inspired the Albanian independence movement, which led to the creation of the Albanian modern state in 1912. His statue is found in Tirana, Prishtina, Skopje, London, Brussels, Rome, Geneva, New York, etc.
6. Hospitality Rule
The house of an Albanian belongs to God and his friends! (Shtëpia e shqiptarit i përket Zotit dhe mikut). That is something Albanians have learned since they were children, as the hospitality rule is almost sacred. According to the traditional law, the Kanun, even if your enemy comes to seek shelter in your home, you are obliged to receive and protect them. And yes, it has happened!
When guests come to your house, as an Albanian, it’s expected for you to welcome and respect them. It’s tradition to seat them at the head of the table and treat them with the best you can offer. And even if you don’t have much yourself, the saying goes, “Bread, salt, and a pure heart” (Bukë e kripë, e zemër të bardhë). The hospitality rule is strongly related to the concept of Besa and the moral values of Albanians.
Did you know that at the end of World War Two, Albania was the only European country with a larger Jewish population than before the war started? That’s because Albanians hosted and protected all Jews who came to seek protection despite being under the Italian and later German invasions themselves. No Jews were handed over to the invaders’ authorities, and the government did not surrender the names list, even though they had full knowledge of how many Jews had entered the country. The reason is simple: the hospitality rule demanded to protect their guest despite the risk. Tirana is the only capital in Europe that has a life memorial— instead of remembering the Jews who were killed, Albania remembers those who were saved.
Oh, and it doesn’t end here. When Italy surrendered and Germany invaded, Albanians hosted Italian soldiers as well, who were running from a potential execution. The former invaders became the new protected guests, under the Besa and the law of hospitality.
During the ex-Yugoslavian war, Albanians opened their homes for their fellow Albanians of Kosovo, who were being driven out of their homes and land. I can go on with many other examples, but an article would not be enough.
7. Burrneshat
The word “burrnesha” comes from the word “burre,” which means man. This is a feminine version of the word that refers to those women who take up the traditional roles of a man in society and their families. This is not a case of transsexuality or third-gender recognition—a burrnesha took a lifetime vow of celibacy, didn’t marry, and did not have children. That’s why foreigners referred to them as “sworn virgins” for the lack of a proper translation of the word.
Burrneshat filled all the assigned gender roles of the men, resuming their rights and responsibilities in terms of property, honor, and head of the family. They dressed like men, acted like men, could participate when Albanian assemblies were called, and even fought in wars. Nowadays, burrneshat are a practice of the past since women have equal rights by law and are an active part of society. However, “burrneshë” is still used as a compliment for strong women with remarkable achievements or strong moral values.
8. Religious Tolerance
Only in Albania will you find a church and a mosque sharing a common yard. Religious tolerance is a core value in Albanian society despite being a melting pot of different religions, including Christianity, Orthodox, and Islam.
Albania has an interesting history with religion; their Illyrian ancestors were pagan, and many of their beliefs and rituals are still present today in various forms. Illyria is mentioned in the Bible in the New Testament, where the apostle Paul came and preached the gospel. The tomb of the first woman martyr of the Church is in Albania. However, Illyrians fully converted to Christianity when it became Rome’s official religion. The Orthodox Church became influential in the 6th century during the Byzantine Empire. The violent conquest of the Ottomans introduced Islam, when many Albanians were converted by force, excessive tax systems or missionary work. After the installation of the communist regime, Albania officially became the first atheist country in the world, where all religious practices were prohibited by law.
Nowadays, Albania is a secular country, with only 3.5% of the population practicing religion. While most Albanians identify between Islam and Christianity, they consider their national identity more important than religion. As Gjergj Fishta, the national poet of Albania (who, by the way, was a priest), once wrote, “Indeed, we celebrate both Eid and Easter, but we share the Albanian identity (Vërtet kemi Bajram e Pashkë, por Shqiptarinë e kena bashkë).
9. Mother Teresa
Mother Teresa is Albanian, and her full name is Gonxhe Anjezë Bojaxhiu. The meaning of her first name means baby-flower in Albanian. She was born in Skopje in 1910 when it was still part of the Ottoman Empire. Her parents were ethnic Albanians from Kosovo, and her father, Nikolle Bojaxhiu, died for the national Albanian movement during WW1. After that, Mother Teresa’s family moved to Albania, where her mother and sister lived for the rest of their lives. Mother Teresa left Albania in 1928 after becoming a Catholic nun.
When WW2 ended and the communist regime was installed, Albania became the first atheist country in the world. Therefore, Mother Teresa was never allowed to set foot in the country again. As her fame grew worldwide, and she won the Nobel Prize of Peace due to her charity and missionary work, Mother Teresa was little known in extremely isolated Albania. Even with the intervention of French and Italian authorities, she was never allowed to meet her family when they were still alive. In 1989, however, she managed to visit Kosovo, which had a significant impact on the native locals who, at the time, lived under heavy oppression and restrictions under the Yugoslavian Republic.
When the regime fell in December 1990, Mother Teresa visited the country only a few months later. Her emotional return to her homeland made history, as it pushed forward the much-needed social change and religious freedom. Her mother and sister had died shortly before her arrival, meaning she never got to see them alive. And yet, the first thing Mother Teresa did was to visit the grave of the dictator Enver Hoxha, who had prohibited her entrance and oppressed her family. That gesture of forgiveness and grace was very powerful in a divided society that was at a historical crossroads.
In her speech, she talked about faith, hope, the need to help the poor, and her Albanian heritage. Mother Teresa’s fame grew overnight, and slowly but surely, she became ingrained in the Albanian culture. She visited again alongside the pope and extended her charity mission in Albania, too. In 1997, Albania was engulfed in a civil war, and she expressed deep grief and concern for her people. She could not visit again, as she died that same year. Her last words are not known because she spoke in Albanian, and people around her could not understand.
Nowadays, Mother Teresa’s name is everywhere; Tirana Aeroport, the National Hospital Centre, the main boulevard in Tirana, etc., are named in her honor. In Kosovo, many institutions and places hold her name, including Pristina’s main square.
10. UNESCO Sites
If you are wondering which places to visit first during your stay in Albania, you might want to start with the ones UNESCO has deemed worthy of protecting due to their historical richness and natural beauty.
There are three UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Albania:
Butrint
It is the perfect blend of history and culture. Every empire that has passed through modern-day Albania has left its mark in Butrint: the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, and, lastly, the Ottomans. The ruins of the city walls, temple, basilica, and theatre are well-preserved. This is considered one of the most important Mediterranean archaeological sites, so it should definitely be on your must-see list.
Berat
Also known as “the city of a thousand windows,” Berat’s historical center looks like something out of a fairytale. The medieval castle is located on top of the hill, with a breathtaking view of the Osum River, which passes through the city. The characteristic traditional houses are all painted in white and climb the hillside up to the castle. There is also the old citadel, the church, and the picturesque neighborhood to visit.
Gjirokastër
Gjirokastra is often referred to as the “city of stones” for its unique houses built with stone facades and steeply pitched roofs that make them look very close to each other. It has a rich historical background of Byzantine, Ottoman, and Albanian influence. The castle is magnificent, and there is also the old bazaar and the museum to visit.
11. Traditional dances
If you like to dance, then you will love Albania. Traditional dances in Albania are called valle, and they are very diverse, a testament to the country’s culture and history. The dances are usually divided into two main groups:
- The northern dances (vallet e veriut) are faster, more dynamic, and include a lot of footwork.
- The southern dances (vallet e jugut), which are more synchronized and have slow and graceful moves, are heavily influenced by iso-polyphonic music.
Some of the most popular dances are Pogonishte, Vallja e Tropojës, and Vallja e Kukësit.
12. Funny Albanian Culture Facts
Albanian culture it’s not all about history and tradition. In fact, the locals are very friendly and welcoming people. Some things about the Albanian everyday lifestyle can catch many foreigners by surprise or even completely confuse them. So, here’s what you should be prepared for;
- Yes means no, and no means yes. Albanians shake their heads up and down for a no and right and left for a yes. That’s not always the case, though, and I wish I could explain why the constant switch-up. Talk about mixed signals, but at least you are warned.
- They are late – and I don’t mean fashionably late. Albanians are used to a slow lifestyle when things get done… eventually.
- Garlic to protect you from the evil eye – All Mediterraneans believe in the evil eye, Albanians are no exception. But don’t worry, because we have the remedy. Carrying around some raw garlic in the pocket or the wallet, it’s all you need to protect your aura and future destiny.
- Weird dolls on houses – don’t get it mixed with magic rituals. The dolls that hang on the front of many houses are called dordolec, and they are to protect the house, from the evil eye, so it’s the doll that absorbs the wicked energy and bad intention, not the people living there.
- A large diaspora—more Albanian people live out of the border than on Albanian soil. This is sad but not surprising, considering Albanians’ difficult history. After the fall of the communist regime, many fled the country in record numbers due to extreme poverty and persecution. Nowadays, things have drastically changed.
- Eagle necklaces are everywhere. How else would you know if you are speaking with an Albanian? The double-headed eagle is the national symbol. That’s why many people have a tattoo of it or carry it engraved in jewelry. They do the eagle with their hand gestures, too, which is their favorite pose for pictures.
- Car horn conversation—If there is a police car patrolling the road, you will know by the long car horn warnings of other drivers. Albanians watch each other’s backs so no one can get fined.
13. Coffee culture
There is no Starbucks in Albania, and frankly, we don’t need one. The coffee tradition in Albania is centuries old, and the natives take it very seriously. It’s part of cultural identity and the most common way to socialize, create or maintain relationships, and bond with the community. An invitation for a coffee can mean many different things: wanting to become friends, a first date, important business, settling conflicts, or even engagements sometimes. Yep, I was not joking when I said that Albanians do take their coffee very seriously. Oh, and if you are wondering, the coffee is great too. We are the only ones who can keep up with the Italians when it comes to espresso or with the Greeks for their famous frappe. The Albanian traditional version is made by brewing coffee and can be a bit strong for most people’s taste, but perfect after a rakia hangover.
Tirana has more coffee shops per capita, so you hardly miss the chance to participate in the slow, let’s-talk-over-a-cup-of-coffee-for-hours lifestyle.
Albanian Culture Vocabulary
Learning some new words in Albanian will help you navigate the country better during your stay and show more respect and appreciation for the culture.
Here’s what you need to know;
| Culture | Kulturë |
| History | Histori |
| Albanian Language | Gjuha Shqipe |
| Castle | Kështjellë |
| Old bazaar | Pazari i vjetër |
| Traditional houses | Shtëpitë tradicionale |
| Historical city | Qytet historik |
| Museum | Muze |
How Do You Say ‘Cultural Facts’ In Albanian?
In the Albanian language, cultural facts translate as fakte kulturore. It is pronounced as FAH-kteh kool-too-ROH-reh.
Frequently Asked Questions About Albanian
1. Why Is The Albanian Language Considered Unique?
Albanian, part of the Indo-European family, is a distinct and unique branch with roots in the ancient Illyrian language. It survived centuries of different invasions, including the Ottoman rule when it was banned, becoming a symbol of national identity for the Albanian people. Even today, it remains a unifying force for Albanians born within the Balkan peninsula and those living among the Albanian diaspora.
2. What Is The Significance Of Besa In Albanian Culture?
In Albanian culture, Besa is a deeply ingrained concept that embodies trust, loyalty, and honor. It has played a crucial role in Albanian society during historical periods, such as during the Independence movement, under the Ottoman Empire to protect families, or when Italy invaded Albania, and Albanians took Jews under their protection.
3. Why Is Skanderbeg Important To Albanians?
Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg, the most important figure in Albanian history, is a national and ethnic symbol of resistance and fight for freedom. In the fifteenth century, he united Albanians in their war against the Ottoman Turks. Skanderbeg’s epic victories preserved the national identity of the Albanian people and their culture during the Middle Ages. The Albanian flag is directly linked with his legacy. Gjergj Kastrioti is the Albanian National Hero and is considered the father of the nation.
Final Note
I can go on forever about Albanian cultural facts and rich history. These facts mentioned above are only the tip of the iceberg; despite being a small country, Albania has a fascinating and nuanced past. Many old traditions passed down from generation to generation throughout centuries have shaped the vibrant, modern society.
If you want to learn even more about this fascinating culture and language, the Ling app is the perfect tool for you. It will help you develop all the skills needed to communicate effectively in Albanian. By learning the language, you’ll be able to satisfy your curiosity and ask questions during your stay in Albania. This will open the door to a whole new culture that is still largely unknown to the wide world.
