Albanian Studies

The Albanian Kanun in Ismail Kardare’s Broken April

by Sean Guynes

Published in the journal "Valley Humanities Review," this paper explores how contemporary Albanian author... more Published in the journal "Valley Humanities Review," this paper explores how contemporary Albanian author (in exile in France) Ismail Kardare portrays the traditional Albanian law called "Kanuni."

Les Albanais en Grèce : le rôle des réseaux préexistants

by Pierre Sintès

Depuis le début des années 1990, la migration des travailleurs albanais vers la Grèce est un des phénomènes... more Depuis le début des années 1990, la migration des travailleurs albanais vers la Grèce est un des phénomènes démographiques majeurs du Sud de la péninsule balkanique. Ce flux concernerait en effet un groupe de 600 à 800 000 personnes. Les Albanais constituent l'immense majorité des étrangers sur le sol grec et sont à l'origine de la transformation de ce pays en une des premières terres d'accueil de l'Union européenne proportionnellement à sa population. Les Albanais sont ainsi présents sur l'ensemble de territoire grec et occupent, pour la plupart, les segments les plus précaires du marché du travail. Les logiques qui président à leur répartition semblent bien être dictées par la géographie de l'emploi, la grande majorité se concentrant dans la ville d'Athènes et dans les campagnes offrant de nombreux emplois agricoles tant saisonniers que permanents. Cependant, à l'échelle plus fine du récit de vie, on est en mesure de remettre en question la vision simpliste qui ferait de la géographie migratoire un simple calque de celle de l'économie grecque. En effet, pour des individus ou des groupes plus restreints, la logique de l'implantation a été largement conditionnée par l'existence de réseaux familiaux transfrontaliers qui, après être restés en veille durant toute la période hoxhiste, ont été réactivés à partir des années 1990. La mise en avant d'un tel phénomène permet de mesurer l'importance des liens entre les deux pays dans la structure de la migration pour redonner, dans certains cas, l'importance qu'ils méritent à des facteurs particuliers dans le système de choix que constitue la migration.

The road: An ethnography of the Albanian-Greek cross-border motorway. In American Ethnologist vol 37

by Dimitris Dalakoglou

This article is an ethnographic study of a 29-kilometer stretch of cross-border highway located in South Albania and... more This article is an ethnographic study of a 29-kilometer stretch of cross-border highway located in South Albania and linking the city of Gjirokaster with the main checkpoint on the Albanian–Greek border. The road, its politics, and its poetics
constitute an ideal point of entry for an anthropological analysis of contemporary South Albania. The physical and social construction, uses, and perceptions of this road uniquely encapsulate three phenomena that dominate social life in postsocialist South Albania: the transition to a market economy, new nationalisms, and massive emigration (mainly to Greece). Taking this cross-border road section as my main ethnographic
point of reference, I suggest the fruitfulness of further discussion of the relationship between roads, narratives, and anthropology.

[roads, globalization, transnationalism, development, postsocialism, materiality, Albania]

PROJEKTI ETNOARKEOLOGJIK I LUGINËS SË DEVOLLIT: Raporti paraprak për KOBAS 2007

by Douglas Park 

2007. Written with Keti Zotaj and Anisa Tanaka
Report in Albanian on ethnoarchaeological survey of Korca Basin, Albania

Hajjidedebaba Mondi Albanian Mountains

by Colin Looker

A short paper on experiences traveling with the head of the Bektashi Worldwide Community for several months in Kosova,... more A short paper on experiences traveling with the head of the Bektashi Worldwide Community for several months in Kosova, Albania, and Northerm Macedonia...

Construction des discours d’appartenance en migration : l’exemple des Albanais en Grèce

by Pierre Sintès

Revue ANATOLI, numéro spécial « L’intégration régionale en Europe du Sud-est », n°1, vol. 1, 2010 p. 195 à 213.

Construction of ethnicity discourses in migration : the example of Alabanians in Greece : The migration of many... more Construction of ethnicity discourses in migration : the example of Alabanians in Greece : The migration of many Albanian nationals to Greece is one of the key events that socially affected both these countries as of the beginning of the 1990’s. Hundreds of thousands of Albanians thus fleed from the poverty of their country that many economic indicators singled out as the poorest in Europe. Beyond the massivness and economic importance, the migration of Albanians in Greece also appears, socially speaking, as one of the key events in contemporary Greek history. This migration contributed to confront the country to a Balkanic environment from which it had been cut off since the end of the Second World War and by the profile of the iron curtain. Considered in the regional context, the linguistic and religious characteristics of the Albanian newcomers seemed to invariably lock them into an incompressible alterity with a view to the contours of the Greek national construction based on the Orthodox religion and the rejection of the Ottoman Islamic religion to which Albanians are often associated. Yet, after studying the trajectory of these migrants, it seems, on the contrary, that the past does not exclusively lead to the separation of these countries’ inhabitants into two entirely impervious groups. In fact, through the observation of every day situations or interpersonal relations, it may have appeared that relationships between Greek and Albanian citizens could sometimes exist on the basis of ancient solidarity networks (regional, linguistic or religious) lying on alternative histories which fully contradict the inclusive identities fabricated by the Nation-States of the 19th and 20th century.

‘Η αμπελοκαλλιέργεια και η οινοπαραγωγή στην πρώιμη οθωμανική Πελοπόννησο, βάσει του κατάστιχου ΤΤ10-1/14662’, στο Γ.Α. Πίκουλας (επιμ.), Επιστημονικό Συμπόσιο Οἶνον Ἱστορῶ ΙΧ, Πολυστάφυλος Πελοπόννησος (Αθήνα: ΕΝΟΑΠ Νεμέα, 2009), 197-222.

by Georgios Liakopoulos

‘I ampelokalliergeia kai i oinoparagogi stin proimi othomaniki Peloponniso, vasei tou katastihou TT10-1/14662', Y.A. Pikoulas (epim.), Epistimoniko Symposio Oinon Istoro ΙΧ, Polystafylos Peloponnisos (Athens: ENOAP Nemea, 2009), 197-222.
‘The Viticulture and the Wine Production in the Early Ottoman Peloponnese on the Basis of the TT10-1/14662 Taxation Cadastre’, in Y.A. Pikoulas (ed.), Scientific Symposium Oinon Istoro IX, Polystafylos Peloponnisos (Athens: ENOAP Nemea, 2009), 197-222.

The paper presents new evidence contained in the first Ottoman detailed cadastre of the Peloponnese (TT10-1/14662)... more The paper presents new evidence contained in the first Ottoman detailed cadastre of the Peloponnese (TT10-1/14662) compiled immediately after the conquest of the province ca. 1460-1463, focusing on its viticulture and wine production. The TT10-1/14662 recorded the non-Muslim households or hearths (hāne) headed by an adult male, the bachelors (mücerred) and the widows (bīve), encumbered with the per capita tax (ispence) and their revenues. An examination of the data shows that the register divided the settlements into Greek and Albanian on the basis of different taxation rate in favour of the latter communities.
Viticulture – from both hāssa and re‘āyā vineyards – with a total of 243,486 akçes (20.78%) was the third highest imposition after the tithe on wheat (362,530 akçes or 30.49%) and the ispence (282,991 akçes or 23.78%), whereas the tax on wine production yielded 16,283 akçes (1.37%). The cultivation of wheat obviously dominates the agricultural sector (49.57% of the taxes on agriculture), followed by an impressive 33.29% of the viticulture. Most probably a part of the wine and the dry raisins produced was exported to the West as was the case in the late Byzantine period.
The percentage of the Albanian population engaged in both of these taxable activities is much lower than the Greek one, possibly because of the Albanians’ loose connection with the earth due to their semi-nomadic nature. The commercialisation of the most profitable cultivations’ surplus, in our case the cereals and the vines, was obligatory for the sustainability of the household that was encumbered with the ispence and the capitation. This constitutes a key characteristic of pre-industrial economies, namely the complementarity of agrarian production.

The Installation of History: Holocaust Memory in an Independent Kosovo

by Alissa Boguslaw

This essay locates tropes of heroism, victimhood, and memory of the Holocaust, within the construction of a newly... more This essay locates tropes of heroism, victimhood, and memory of the Holocaust, within the construction of a newly emerging Kosovar-Albanian identity.  Such an identity, I argue, relies not only on historical writing, but is, in itself, a process of writing history.  I examine the commemoration of Jewish rescue in Axis-Occupied Albania, by looking to two recent projects: the exhibition, Besa: Muslims Who Saved Jews in World War II, and well as the documentary film, Rescue in Albania.  Secondly, I trace the reemergence of the “Jewish trope” in the recent memory of the Kosovo War.  Ultimately, framed through the lens of Kosovar-Albanian memory and identity, we can understand the way in which such sites of memory serve their ideological and epistemological functions.

Synopsis POLYPHONIA-ALBANIA'S FORGOTTEN VOICES Björn Reinhardt/Eckehard Pistrick (2011)

by Eckehard Pistrick

Film Synopsis “Polyphonia – Albania’s forgotten voices”
Björn Reinhardt/Eckehard Pistrick,
Germany/Romania... more Film Synopsis “Polyphonia – Albania’s forgotten voices”
Björn Reinhardt/Eckehard Pistrick,
Germany/Romania 2011, 90’

Two shepherds in the Albanian mountains, Arif, a Muslim, and Anastas, an orthodox Christian, have been friends for years in spite of religious barriers. Their profound friendship is constantly strengthened by a local musical tradition, the polyphony. In 2005 this vocal tradition has been declared UNESCO-World Heritage.

The film sets up unforgettable images for the severe poetry, the harsh fates and the almost magical power of the human voice, which helps people in the mountains to master their surreal daily routine at a contradictory stage of post-socialist change. On another level, the film gives an example of how music – even in the Balkans – can build bridges between people and religions.

Tirana, la nuova capitale da Brasini a Morpurgo

by Herald Qyqja

in Forum A+P (periodical scientific journal), Tirana 2007, pp. 92-97.

Shala Valley Project - Contributions to the final report

by Sylvia Deskaj

Shala Valley Project - Translated & Transcribed Ethnographic Audio Files

by Sylvia Deskaj

Kosovo/Kosova - In: The Routledge Handbook of Archaeological Human Remains and Legislation: an international guide to laws and practice in the excavation and treatment of archaeological human remains (ed: Marquez-Grant and Fibiger)

by Sylvia Deskaj

Trauma and Recovery: Re-Signifying Communist-era Sites of Memory in Contemporary Albania

by Jonathan Eaton

Written in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts, Department of Anthropology, University of Toronto

Significant heritage sites from the Communist era in Albania can reveal much about local interaction with and... more Significant heritage sites from the Communist era in Albania can reveal much about local interaction with and resistance to state authority, and they hold promise as a means of confronting the personal and collective traumas of the recent past. The primary argument is that these sites should be 're-signified' to serve as both memorials and teaching tools for the next generations, rather than erased from the landscape. This kind of 're-signification' of heritage that represents a traumatic past has taken place in post-colonial and post-conflict contexts, as well, and these situations can serve as a model for how this process might work in a post-Communist society. The final two sentences read: "Across Albania, many tangible reminders of the traumas of the Communist past remain unacknowledged, while others have been leveled before their relationship to local memory had been explored. In the coming years, the processes of making heritage and writing history will continue, but Albanians today have the opportunity to employ these processes in a way that heals past traumas and preserves their material heritage in commemoration of local resistance, resilience and inspiration."

A proposal for the inflation targeting communication strategy of the Bank of Albania

by Marga Peeters

co-authored with Erinda Nervaj, Rigers Kaso, Ina Kraja and Doriana Lama

This discussion paper defines the communication strategy for monetary policy at the Central Bank of Albania as the... more This discussion paper defines the communication strategy for monetary policy at the Central Bank of Albania as the objective of increasing and reaching the (full) awareness of the public on monetary policy issues.

Të protestohet apo të festohet, kjo është çështja.

by Zeqir Sulemani

Nuk më pëlqeu aspak fakti që populli shqiptar gjithandej, nën tingujt e folklorit dhe herpas'her me muzik rome çonin... more Nuk më pëlqeu aspak fakti që populli shqiptar gjithandej, nën tingujt e folklorit dhe herpas'her me muzik rome çonin duart lart dhe dridheshin e përdridheshin duke festuar diçka që nuk e kanë (pavarsinë dhe shtetin shqiptar) dhe njëkohësisht duke injoruar faktin që në Mitrovicë çdo moment ndërtohen murre të reja që neve na pëlqen ti quajmë barikada. E mos flasim për injorancën që u shfaq ndaj shqiptarëve të Luginës së Preshevës. Të gjitha këto veprime shprehin arsyen se pse ne edhe pas 99 viteve jemi këtu dhe kështu si jemi. Dhe është e sigurtë se do vazhdojmë të jemi kështu, në mos më keq, në qoftë se vazhdojmë të mos e kuptojmë se Shqipëria nuk bëhet me këngë e valle.

Kush janë Patriotët dhe kush dëshmorët!?

by Zeqir Sulemani

Shum individë të vetëquajtur patriotë, edhe më shumë të vetëquajtur intelektual më bëjnë të ndjehem injorant dhe të... more Shum individë të vetëquajtur patriotë, edhe më shumë të vetëquajtur intelektual më bëjnë të ndjehem injorant dhe të luftoj kundër vetvetes, të luftoj nderisa të mohoj vetveten por assesi edhe të qenurit shqiptar. Skam ç'të bëj ktë të fundit nuk e zgjodha unë, thjesht e trashëgova nga paraardhësit e mi Shqiptarë. Por dhe jam i lumtur që kam ktë fat. Unë jam qënie njerzore, pastaj jam Shqiptar, dikur isha fëmi, tashi më nuk jam dhe mundohem të mos sillem si i tillë. Jam edhe student, por edhe ushtroj një profesion që e dua dhe konsideroj se është i ndershëm. Kështu e siguroj bukën e gojës dhe arij nderi diku të bëj gjërat që më pëlqejnë. Ky jam unë. As patriot, e as intelektual, as i pasur e as i vorfun, as i bukur e as i shëmtuar. Por ama shum i lumtur dhe njekohësisht i dëshpëruar.

Çfare mund te thuhet per transmetimin e politikes monetare e ne Shqiperi? A eshte (akoma) kursi i kembimit kanali kryesor?

by Marga Peeters

Duket se ekziston një perceptim i përgjithshëm që kanali i kursit tëkëmbimit është kanali më i rëndësishëm në procesin... more Duket se ekziston një perceptim i përgjithshëm që kanali i kursit tëkëmbimit është kanali më i rëndësishëm në procesin e transmetimittë politikës monetare në Shqipëri. Në këtë rast, ky perceptimanalizohet në dritën e marrëdhënieve alternative në këtë ekonominë zhvillim. Diskutimi mbi kanalet e transmetimit në ekonominëshqiptare ndiqet nga një studim i lidhjeve makroekonomike dhepragmatike ekonometrike, duke kuantifikuar efikasitetin e politikësmonetare. Rezultatet tregojnë se dollari ka humbur rëndësinë e tij nëprocesin e transmetimit të politikës monetare në favor të euros. Kadhe plot shenja të tjera që tregojnë se kanali i kursit të këmbimit ika humbur rëndësinë e tij si i tillë në favor të kanaleve të tjera, si përshembull kanali i kredisë dhe më shumë kanali i pagave.

The Kanun in the Ethnographic Self-Description: Research into Albanian Traditional Law during Socialism

by Stéphane Voell

Voell, Stéphane 2011. The Kanun in the Ethnographic Self-Description: Research into Albanian Traditional Law during Socialism. In: Ulf Brunnbauer, Claudia Kraft & Martin Schulze Wessel (eds.): Sociology and Ethnography in East-Central and South-East Europe: Scientific Self-Description in State Socialist Countries (Tagung in Bad Wiessee 2008) (Bad Wiesseer Tagungen des Collegium Carolinum, 31). München: Oldenbourg Wissenschaftsverlag.

The Kanun in the City. Albanian Customary Law as a Habitus and Its Persistence in the Suburb of Tirana, Bathore

by Stéphane Voell

Voell, Stéphane 2003. The Kanun in the City: Albanian Customary Law as a Habitus and its Persistence in the Suburb of Tirana, Bathore. In: Anthropos (Sankt Augustin) 98, 1: 85-101

he rapid decline of socialist order in Albania in 1991 and the lack of functioning new administrative structures led... more he rapid decline of socialist order in Albania in 1991 and the lack of functioning new administrative structures led to the breakdown of state authority. During this time a majority of people in the north returned to openly practising the ancient customary law ‚Kanun‘ and brought it with them while migrating to Bathore, the suburbia of the capital Tirana. The Kanun is in this paper described as a habitus, tied to a specific social and economic setting. The social field structuring the habitus Kanun is framed by geographical and social seclusion and stratified by the patriarchal tribal organisation, a social field which can also be found in Bathore. The basic constituting element of the habitus Kanun can also be found at the outskirts of Tirana.