Albanian folk poetry

The traditional Albanian poetry includes folk Albanian poetry and songs that are part of the Albanian culture.

History

In 1830 Vuk Karadžić recorded from Dovica Obadović from Đurakovac near Peć 12 Albanian songs and one riddle.

During the Albanian Renaissance (Rilindja) the oral literature, a rich cultural asset, was used in forming the country's identity. The first collection of Albanian oral literature was that of Austrian consul, and "father of Albanian studies" John Hahn's Albanische Studien. One of the most notable Albanian epic poem is The Highland Lute written by Albanian Catholic friar Gjergj Fishta.

In the 1905–08 period Nikolla Ivanaj published the Shpnesa e Shqypnisë, being one of the first publishers of the Albanian heroic folk songs.

Language

Serbian words are common in the folk songs of northern Albania (Gheg Albanian), and are lacking in the south (Tosk Albanian), where Slavic words have taken an Albanianized form.

Notable songs

Examples of these songs are the following:

• Albanian Songs of the Frontier Warriors, inclusive of The Cycle of Mujo and Halili, and The Song of Gjergj Elez Alia
• Eufrozina of Janina
• The Ballad of Constantine and Dhoqina
• Fog Hung Heavy O’er the Buna
• Oh, my Beautiful Morea
• At the Plane Tree of Mashkullore
• Cham Folk Songs such as the Song of Çelo Mezani
• Songs of the Battle of Kosovo