Besa (Albanian culture)
Besa is an Albanian cultural precept, usually translated as "faith", that means "to keep the promise" and "word of honor".[1] The word's origin can be traced to the Kanun of Lekë Dukagjini, a collection of Albanian traditional customs and cultural practices. Besa is an important part of personal and familial standing and is often used as an example of "Albanianism". Someone who breaks his besa may even be banished from his community.[1] The roots of this code sprouted from the Muslim faith as interpreted by the Albanians.[2]
Besa related sayings include:[1]
- Besa e shqiptarit nuk shitet pazarit (besa can not be sold or bought in a bazaar)
- Shiptari kur jep fjalen therr djalin (an Albanian can sacrifice his own son for besa)
- Shqiptaret vdesin dhe besen nuk e shkelin (Albanians would die rather than break besa)
- Besa e shqiptarit si purteka e arit, etj (the Albanians' besa is worth more than gold)
Besa is a key theme in the novel Kush e solli Doruntinën (Who Brought Doruntina Home) (1980), by Albanian novelist Ismail Kadare.[1]
Besa also means taking care of those in need and being hospitable. During World War II, Albanians, 70% of whom are Muslim, saved over 2000 Jews from Nazi persecution.[3] Both Albanian Christians and Muslims adhere to the besa code and saved Jews during World War II.[3] Rather than hiding the Jews in attics or the woods, Albanians gave them clothes, gave them Muslim names, and treated them as part of the family. The concept of besa is incorporated into their religion.[3] Before World War II only about 200 Albanians were Jewish. At the end of the war about 2000 Jews were living in Albania. Albanians are noted for their lack of religious hatred.[2] In 2009 Norman Gershman produced a documentary called "God's House" about besa and the Albanians saving Jews during World War II. This story was featured on CBS News Sunday Morning on November 8, 2009 for the 71th anniversary of Kristallnacht, which occurred on November 9, 1938.[4]
References
- ^ a b c d Kushova, Alma (July 21, 2004). "Besa". Open Democracy. Retrieved 2009-11-08.
- ^ a b Gershman, Norman (2007). "Besa: A Code of Honor". Yad Vashem. Retrieved 2009-11-08.
- ^ a b c Tabachnick, Toby. "Besa Albanian Muslims took vow to save Jews, photographer says". The Jewish Chronicle. Retrieved 2009-11-08.
- ^ Axelrod, Jim (November 08, 2009). "The Righteous". CBS News Sunday Morning. Retrieved 2009-11-08.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)