Albanian Kanun and Blood Feuds

Ever heard of blood revenge? Well, in Albania it’s a serious part of their culture. The Albanian Kanun is a ritual that has endured the test of time and has been deeply rooted in Albanian society, a country known for its stunning mountains and rich cultural heritage.

The Kanun is extremely interesting if you’re trying to comprehend the complexities of Albanian culture because it is both fascinating and contentious.

So what are the Kanun’s origins and effects on Albanian society, which have fueled blood feuds for many generations?

What does Kanun mean in Albanian?

The name ‘Kanun’ comes from the Arabic word ‘qanun,’ which means ‘law’ or ‘rule.’ The Kanun is a term used to describe a set of customary rules and norms of conduct that affect daily life in Albanian culture, from marriage and property rights to dispute resolution and blood feuds.

This link to Arabic emphasizes the historical and cultural factors that have formed the region, particularly the spread of Islam because of the Ottoman Empire.

The Kanun has grown to include both secular and religious components, reflecting the varied influences that have shaped Albanian society. It is important to emphasize, though, that it is not completely religious in character.

In its exact definition, the word ‘Kanun’ may only mean ‘law’ or ‘rule,’ but for Albanians, it represents a deep sense of responsibility, honor, and moral obligation that continues to shape the country’s character and ethos.

What is the law of the Kanun?

The Kanun is a complicated and comprehensive system of customary laws that has been orally passed down generations over time. It covers a range of aspects of Albanian society.

There are family and marriage laws. The Kanun lays down guidelines for marriage, endowments, and family ties, as well as the place of women in the home.

It also includes property rights, which also regulates inheritance, use of common resources including meadows and woods, and ownership of land.

Besa, or ‘faith,’ is a fundamental part of Albanian culture and is codified in the Kanun. It specifies how visitors are to be treated and how people seeking shelter must be protected.

The Kanun also provides detailed guidelines for resolving conflicts and lays down the regulations for blood feuds, including the idea of gjakmarrja (blood vengeance).

What are the origins of Kanun?

Many tribes lived in the regions of modern-day Albania throughout the early medieval era, which is when the Kanun first appeared.

Each of these tribes had their own traditions and practices, which gradually came together through time to produce a single set of laws and guidelines.

In a culture where central authority was often weak or nonexistent, the Kanun was a crucial tool for preserving stability and order.

It is very hard to determine the precise origins of the Kanun. It is the result of centuries of cultural growth and has been affected by the Illyrians, Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans.

Nonetheless, you could say that the Kanun as we know it now emerged in the 15th century in response to the socio-political turmoil caused by the Ottoman invasion of the Balkans.

Who wrote the Kanun?

The Kanun is officially known as the Kanun of Lekë Dukagjini since it was principally defined by the Albanian aristocrat Lekë Dukagjini in the 15th century.

Although the Kanun existed in various versions before to Dukagjini’s time, he basically compiled and formalized the Albanian people’s shamanistic customs and rules.

It is important to remember that the Kanun was originally not a written document. The information was instead passed down verbally from one generation to the next.

The Catholic priest Shtjefn Gjeçovi, who had gathered and written down the oral tales, released the first written version of the Kanun in 1913.

What is the Albanian blood oath?

A crucial part of the Kanun is the idea of the blood oath or vengeance which is called gjakmarrja. When a family member has been harmed or killed, this ritual is based on the idea that honor needs to be restored.

The blood oath is a promise made by a male family member to take revenge on a murderer or a male member of the murderer’s family for the death of a relative.

It’s good to know that the blood oath is not taken lightly because it has serious repercussions for both families. The avenger and his family are obligated to carry out the oath no matter how long it takes once it has been sworn.

The targeted family is forced to live in continual worry and alertness, aware that retaliation could happen at any time. Families could be inside their homes for years (!).

It is crucial to understand that the blood oath also has a different purpose other than simple retaliation. It aims to restore honor and harmony to the damaged family.

Unfortunately, the practice often results in violent recurrences, with families caught up in generation-long disputes.

What is the Albanian code of honor?

Another major part of the Kanun is the Albanian code of honor, or besa, which emphasizes the value of keeping one’s word and maintaining promises.

In Albanian society, besa is seen as a sacred and inviolable obligation that directs social interactions and shapes moral ideals.

Besa doesn’t include only interpersonal interactions but also how visitors and strangers are treated. No matter who they are or why they are seeking asylum, Albanians are obligated by the code of honor to express their hospitality and protection to those in need.

Besa has served as the foundation of Albanian identity throughout history, exemplifying the people’s resilience and strength. For example, in order to uphold their besa obligations, Albanians risked their lives in order to save thousands of Jews during World War II.

Why is the Kanun important?

The Kanun is a fundamental component of Albanian culture since it represents the ideals, ideologies, and social customs that have defined the country’s identity for many years.

The Kanun is nevertheless felt in many parts of daily life even though it is no longer recognized by the law, especially in rural areas and among older generations.

In an area characterized by political unrest and outside invasions, the Kanun has given a framework for societal order and stability.

The Kanun provided a sense of continuity and coherence in the absence of a strong central authority, enabling communities to govern themselves in accordance with common beliefs and traditions.

However, the Kanun has also generated controversy because of the ongoing blood feuds and the resulting carnage. Although efforts have been made to stop the practice of gjakmarrja, it probably remains to be difficult for both the government and the Albanian society.

The Kanun is a testimony to Albania’s distinctive cultural history, providing a window into the beliefs and customs that have created the country’s character.

The Kanun is like a reminder of the fortitude and character strength that have distinguished the Albanian people throughout their stormy past as modern Albania continues to develop and adapt to the difficulties of the twenty-first century.

The evolving role of the Kanun in modern Albania

In modern Albania, the Kanun’s influence has diminished in the bigger cities where the younger generation is more likely to rely on the state’s legal framework.

Nonetheless, the Kanun continues to play a important role in influencing social dynamics and conflict resolution in rural areas of Albania, especially in the northern provinces.

The necessity of addressing the Kanun’s negative elements, such as blood feuds and the marginalization of women, has recently gained more attention.

This has sparked a number of campaigns to promote knowledge of and interest in non-traditional dispute resolution techniques.

The Albanian government also has taken action to make blood feuds illegal and to help out families who have been impacted by this tradition.

Blood feuds have become less frequent because of these efforts, but it will still be difficult to completely eradicate this deeply embedded tradition.

Balancing tradition and modernity is a challenge Albania must overcome as it continues to integrate into the European Union.

As a key component of Albanian culture, the Kanun provides important insights into the ideals that have shaped the country’s character.

By doing so, it is crucial to adapt and change these traditions in order to further equality, peace, and development in Albanian society.

Will the Kanun affect you as a tourist?

Your chances of involvement by Kanun laws while traveling through Albania? Probably not that big, but it’s good to know it exists and helps to deeper understand Albania as a country and society.

Yes, this code of honor is still alive in many parts of Albania today. But as mentioned, you won’t be subject to these laws and customs when you wander around in this beautiful country.

The Wrap-Up: Albanian Blood Feuds and the Kanun

It does sound a bit controversial, right? I understand this thought but despite its controversial aspects, the Kanun has played a significant role in shaping Albanian society and culture.

It has helped to preserve traditional values and customs in the face of modernisation and globalization.

So it’s not all just doom and gloom, as I learned. To give you an example, the foundations of Kanun have also helped to maintain trust and cooperation among Albanian communities.

I guess it’s also a way of interpretation and how people deal with it individually or as a group.

If you’re interested in moving to Albania, check out my blog post here. And if you want to know more about THE status symbol in the country, check out my post about Mercedes cars in Albania!

Your restless voyager,

Dustin