Hearts of Eagles ~~~ Albanian Hospitality

A dear friend of mine recently told me a surprising, and charming story, about her childhood in Albania. 
As a little girl, and one of 7 children, growing up in communist times, her family had little money to spare.
Even so, their home was always open to guests and visitors.
 Their home was close to the train station, so it was a handy stop off for friends and relatives.
The family ate very simply, but if guests arrived, her mother would cook the very  best meal that she could.
One day, my friend saw her mother cooking chicken and rice for guests, and she asked her mother if she may have some chicken.
 Her mother replied, " If the guests, leave any, you may have some. "
 The guests should be honoured and eat first!

This story, beautifully illustrates the hospitality of the Albanian people.
Hospitality is hugely important and it is a matter of honour.
The word " besa, " means honour, and generous hospitality, and this word, sums up the Albanian attitude towards their guests.
 Guests are highly honoured, and Albanian families will even borrow from neighbours, if they do not have enough to provide the best meal they possibly can.

 There is an Albanian expression,

 " Shpija para me qene e Shqiptarit asht e Zotit dhe e mikut! " 

 " Before the house belongs to the owner, it first belongs to God and the guest. "

If a guest pops round unanounced, the host will change their plans, if they were going out, they will stay home. If a guest arrives at 12 pm, it is only polite to ask them to stay for lunch.

If a guest is invited for lunch, it is polite to refuse on the first two times of asking and only if the host asks a third time, will they agree to stay.

I once invited a friend to stay for lunch with me, she refused at first, and so I assumed that she didnt fancy my lentil stew!
 Then she said, you should ask me again!
I had only mentioned it twice!
On the third time of asking she stayed and we ate together.

My lovely friend Roza.

I heard a story of a missionary, who was asked twice to stay for dinner, he refused to be polite and wasnt asked a third time. He was most dismayed, to miss out on a meal, he really wanted to enjoy!

There is something quite biblical about Albanian hospitality.
 I cant help being reminded of the story in Luke 24 v 28.
One of my favourite stories,  the Emmaus road story, for some reason, it deeply moves me.
Jesus looked as though he would walk furthur, but his companions insisted that he stay with them, and eat with them.
 The New Testament is resplendent with stories of the people eating and celebrating together in a highly relational culture.
In fact, even as far back as Abraham in Genesis 18, Abraham goes all out to prepare the best meal possible, for his three guests, selecting a tender young calf from his herd and urging Sarah to bake the finest bread!
It seems that offering hospitality was a matter of honour!

In Luke 14 v 12 Jesus urges us to show hospitality and invite those to dinner, who cannot invite us back, or repay our kindness,  the poor, the crippled and the lame!
Quite a challenge for us!
Especially nowadays as we are getting out of the habit of sharing a meal together.

I remember my childhood, there weren't many Sundays when my mother didnt invite people back for Sunday lunch!
She was always ready with roast chicken and apple crumble!
I feel convicted, when this lockdown is over, I must invite more people to dinner!

In Albania as everywhere else, times are changing as people become busier and more preoccupied with making a living. Sadly people dont have the time to drop everything and spend time with guests, friends and family.
It is such a shame and I cant help feeling that we are losing something precious.

However, Northern Albania and the villages, still cling to the old ways.
There is an old story,  about a town in Northern Albania, where a hotel was going to be built.
  The townsfolk strongly  protested, because they had space for guests and there was no need for a hotel!

According to the "Kanun of Lekë Dukagjini,"  a homeowner should always have a spare bed.
The Kanun is a set of laws put together in the 15th century to govern the tribes of Northern Albania,
Traditionally, a visitor should be able to knock at the first door they find, and ask for a bed for the night.

I had a wonderful insight into Albanian hospitality when I stayed with my son in laws family for a weekend.
I have never been treated so well in my life!
 I talked about my experiences at length in a previous blog, " A time to treasure. "

Gezuar 

Albania is one of the few countries to emerge at the end of the Second World War with more Jews than there were at the beginning.

If a Jew was a guest or being sheltered in an Albanian household, they were protected as a matter of honour and introduced as members of their own family.
48 Albanians were honoured in 1995 with the " Righteous Among the Nations" award, at the Yad Vashem memorial in Jerusalem.

Below is a wonderful monument in Tirana, commemorating the 6 million Jews and also the Albanians who gave shelter.

A dear friend and fellow missionary MiJa.

During the Kosovo war in the 1990's, 500,00 refugees sought sanctuary in Albania. These refugees where mostly ethnic Albanians.
 Albanian families would go to a camp, find a family and take them home. 
They treated these refugees as part of their own families, feeding, clothing and providing for them.
It was beautiful to witness, after the earthquake in November, the people of Kosovo were among the first to offer aid to Albania!

I am learning so much about the culture of Albania.

 This Land of Eagles, "Shqiperia." 

The Albanian peoples are called " Sons of Eagles , " " Shqiptare. "

It suits them well,  this symbol of Albanian culture and identity. 

The strong, proud, majestic eagle hovering high above this land of rugged mountains and rolling green hills.