Legends and myths were born together with human, in fact people as human beings one of the elements that unites them, which is part of his instincts, is precisely "Curiosity" this feeling that every person on earth has, someone less and someone more, based on the interests of everyone.
The Human has always been attracted to the unknown, famous questions like : why do we exist? Or where are we going? or what happens after death? These are questions that man has always tried to answer but never managed to know for sure.
Another question which “bothers” humans is: Is there a God? Or: how big is the Universe ? These questions, which "disturb" man and the fact that he is sure that he can hardly ever know the sure truth, have made man create Myths and Legends.
Legends, are traditional stories or a set of stories told about a certain person or place. Once upon a time the term legend meant a fairy tale of a saint. Legends resemble folktales in content; they may involve supernatural beings, elements of mythology, or explanations of natural phenomena, but they are associated with a particular locale or person and are referred to as matters of history.
One of the most famous examples of world history as a hero of Greek mythology or legend is Achilles, who was the son of Zeus. Achilles' heel was the only weak spot in his body. This mythological hero is based on a true story which is determined by manuscripts and artifacts which is the Trojan war. So we can say that mythological and legends are not inventions without any basis but starting from real historical facts.
Mythology in Tourism
There is a lot of global debate about Myths and Legends. Should we tell legends and myths to tourists ? Perhaps this would be their "deception" for the history of the country. Perhaps it would be fair for tourists to know the truth of history, but it is often not as interesting as a myth or a legend which is considered a beautiful exaggeration based on historical facts but not completely real.
Myths and Legends are Very Important in Tourist Programs, They represent one of the aspects of a particular civilization which is probably not defined or based on documents or manuscripts. In the absence of reliable information, we have Myths and Legends.
In fact, these myths and legends that every country in the world has, are the most interesting part to be learned by tourists, let's not forget that tourists visit a new place for experiences, to have fun and learn as much as possible about traditions and legends.
Legends which are stories inherited, from generation to generation, are those parts of history that tourists barely, find in literature or other sources.
Albania and Mythology
Albania is a new market in World Tourism, and we can say that this is the first decade that Albania is recognizing a growing influx of tourists compared to neighboring countries.
Albania is a rich country in history , starting with the Hellenistic, Illyrian, then with the Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman and finally dictatorial Influence until 1989. It has a favorable position very close to Greece (origin of World Cultural civilization) and despite the small territory, has aroused the curiosity of tourists from all over the world to visit.
Unfortunately, there are a few documents left, that show the Albanian history.
For that reason, we attach great importance to myths and legends that make Albania even more interesting.
"Legends and myths have been born in our cradle. As children, mothers and grandmothers told us different stories. Myths and legends are an important part of our heritage, preserved from generation to generation. Although the framework changes, the essence of the history of the legend remains the same. Just as today we have to preserve and promote different cultural sites, songs and dances, traditions, legends must have an important place too in our history because they show the past, the culture and the history of this country . "
Below are some of the most famous Albanian interesting legends:
1. The son of the Eagle Legend, Albania
Many legends and tales have tried to explain the origin of the name “land of eagles” as Albania it is called by its people and the links between the eagles with their country. The Eagle is one of Albania’s most important symbols which is used in the national flag of the country, in postcards, traditional costumes and handicrafts, literature and history.
The legend says:
One day a young boy was hunting in the mountains and saw a big eagle flying above his head with a snake in its mouth. The eagle took the snake at her nest in the sharp peak of a cliff and left it there. The boy became curious and got near to the nest to see the shelter of the eagle by near. The young boy noticed that inside the nest was a baby eagle which was in danger because the snake was still alive and ready to pinch and poison it. The boy felt compassion for the little baby eagle and decided to kill the snake. He drew an arrow by killing the snake and then took the baby eagle with him and headed home.
While walking, the big eagle flies around him and begs him to give her baby, by saying: “Why are you taking my baby away?”. The boy replied: “I saved its life so now the baby eagle is mine” but the mother eagle was feeling broken hearted and promised him a reward. “Please give me back my baby and I will give you as a reward the sharpness of my eyes and the strength of my arms. You will be strong and impregnable and people will call you in my name.”
The boy accepted and gave back the baby eagle. As the years passed, the young boy grew up being recognized by its land people as strong and heroic. During these years, the little eagle grew up too and accompanied the young boy in hunting for wild animals in wild forests and in each battle with enemies.
The locals were amazed by the bravery of the man and used to call him “The son of the eagles” and the land where they lived was called "The Land of Eagles".
(Shqiperi) / Albania - Because of this legend our land is called Shqiperi.
2. “Bjeshkët e Namuna” Legend, Dukagjin
The legend says:
There was a mother of two children and took the road to the region of “Bjeshkëve” above the Dukagjini Plain (which is a region in the northern part of Albania). With the children in her hand, she forgot to take every other thing, as time did not wait, because the enemy soldiers could catch them.
The more she walked, the more the mountains rose, the more she tried to avoid the sun, the fiercer the mass became more ruthless, red and burning as if, but they walked and walked, the farther away from the Turkish soldiers.
The July sun continued to burn them, the thirst had consumed them like the mother and children’s. The water lines at this time, on both sides above the Drini spring, are running out and the snow that once stood until the end of August, damn it, on that July day, had melted in the most hidden valleys from scorching sun.
"Mother, I want water," the little boy insisted, because the hunger was forgotten by the great heat and even greater fatigue.
But there was no water anywhere. "Mother, let's get some water," the little boy begged, not realizing that this was not the will of the poor mother. There was not a drop of water anywhere to wet their lips. The confused mother tried to comfort the little one with words while the older one did not make a sound, although the lipstick became palm on his lip, says the legend.
"Now we find the water, the light of my eyes, a little more. “Gurrat e Bardha” is not far away ", the mother, burnt by the heat and grief, tried to encourage her. They passed Gurrat e Bardha, but the water did not flow anywhere and they climbed the Dry Mountain.
Herds of sheep and shepherds had disappeared as if they had been devoured by land or eaten by wolves, and no bells rang in all the Big Mountains, as they were once called. There was no one alive on the face of the earth.
The children were tired, their lips were bruised, their strength was exhausted, and they could not speak because of thirst and fatigue, so they began to squirm and talk in disgust. The mother was gripped by the pinnacle of despair.
Tears welled up in her eyes, and she looked at the children in despair.
But before the agony overtook the children, before the calamity befell them, she longed for wrath: “Hey, my mountains, never keep water! The flame went out! Sell them new! ”
And a whirlwind fell to the ground over the toads that were passing the last moments of agony.
The legend doesn't say, whether they died or miraculously saved, but the legend goes on as if the sky had mercy on the unfortunate ones who were struggling in agony.
Others, referring to the legend, say that the mother's curse took all the mountains above Dukagjini, on both sides of the White Drin. The Namuna Mountains were burned by the curse fire, the clouds sometimes flicker in the clear sky burning whole forests.
3. “Blue Eye” Legend, Sarandë
The legend says :
Once upon a time, such a strong wind blew that it shook the sea from the bottom and the sea pulled out a snake ... A cloud fell and threw the snake on Mount Sopot. The giant snake ate the animals and people and the crops he broke them ... An old man got up, loaded a donkey with sacks of ashes and went near the lubricant and set fire to the wood with fire.
When the snake ate the donkey, the fire of the fire inside and the beast burned. he shouted: ‘"Where are you, sea, that you made my head and you blessed me, my brother." After that, he laid down to death. The sea started from Vivari and the river from Sopot, but they could not prosecute it. In the agony of death, the snake slammed its tail on the side of the mountain, where the visible signs remained.
Since then, the sea and the mountain are connected to each other like father and son.
4. "The Cave of Haxhi Aliu", Karaburun
The legend says :
This cave is known not only for the status of the highest cave on the Albanian coast (60 meters), but also for the wonderful sea that waves and crashes into it. Positioned at the northwestern tip of Cape Gjuhëza, Haxhi Aliu Cave is known as the ‘home’ of pirate Aliu, who seems to have used it as a retreat in naval battles. Inside the cave, an elliptical lake invites you to dive right away!
5. "Rozafa Castle" Legend, Shkodër
Rozafa Castle is associated with a famous legend about a woman who was buried alive, in the foundation of the castle
Its legend, archeology, and history testify to its early existence.
The legend says:
The legend is about the initiative of three brothers who set about building the castle. They worked all day, but the walls fell down at night. They met a clever old man who advised them to sacrifice someone so that the walls would stand. The three brothers found it difficult to decide whom to sacrifice.
Finally, they decided to sacrifice one of their wives who would bring lunch to them the next day. So they agreed that whichever of their wives was the one to bring them lunch the next day was the one who would be buried in the wall of the castle.
They also promised not to tell their wives of this. The two older brothers, however, explained the situation to their wives that night, while the honest youngest brother said nothing.
The next afternoon at lunchtime, the brothers waited anxiously to see which wife was carrying the basket of food. It was Rozafa, the wife of the youngest brother. He explained to her what the deal was, that she was to be sacrificed and buried in the wall of the castle so that they could finish building it, and she didn’t protest.
Rozafa, who was predestined to be walled, was worried about her infant son, so she accepted being walled on condition that they must leave her right breast exposed so as to feed her newborn son, her right hand to caress him and her right foot to rock his cradle:
. I plead When you wall me Leave my right eye exposed Leave my right hand exposed Leave my right foot exposed For the sake of my newborn son So that when he starts crying Let me see him with one eye Let me caress him with one hand Let me feed him with one breast Let me rock his cradle with one foot May the castle breast be walled May the castle rise strong May my son be happy.
6. "Mountains & River" Legend, Berat
The legend says:
They were two prominent brothers for their bravery and beauty. They were never separated from each other. Together they fought wars together in joys and sorrows! One day something happened! (Tomorri) Mountain accidentally meets Osume (River), the beauty star, who ruined her night's sleep, changed her pace of life and fell in love with her.
The same thing happened to the same girl and the little brother, Shpiragun (Mountain). Osumia loved them both dearly, met secretly with both of them, and was still determined to share her fate. It took a while for the two brothers to secretly shave this relationship, and when Tomorri found out, the whole thing got cold, the screams of pain and his voice subsided, it pierced the sky. Tomorri begged his brother to give up from Osumia but Shpiragu refused. He loved Osumia as much as Tomorri loved her too.
In anger, Tomorri drew his sword and cut Shpiragun to pieces. At the same time, Shpiragu shot him with his cannon. When Osuma learned of this tragedy, she was left stunned between the two brothers, and from its tears the river Osum was formed.
This is the legend of Mount Tomorr & Shpiragu. Mount Tomorr, is really a pit of holes, and also against this mountain is the divided Shpirag mountain. The whole line is cut by a man and in the middle of the city is Mount Gorica (a neighborhood of the city) and it is divided into two parts, where on one side you see Tomorri on the other Shpiragun. In the middle of this city passes the river Osum, which as legend says, it was formed from the tears of Osume….
7. The "Big Rock" Legend, Përmet
The legends says :
Imagine a 42-meter-high rock with an area of 650 square meters, which has "opened" the foundations along the Vjosa. When he saw Edith Duram, he said, "One of the most beautiful places in the world!" Is the rock detached from Mount Dhëmbel? Maybe. That's what geologists say.
But the legend speaks differently: God's stone. It came as a gift from heaven to give the city its name. Whoever believes in legends, let him read the story. The chief of the Prendi province, who gave the city its name, had built a castle on the City Stone. Today the castle is flattened. There are walls left, evidence of legend. It was the end of the 14th century.
What is the symbol of Përmet? If you are visiting this city for the first time, and ask this question to a permetarist, surely the answer will be: "City Stone."
8. "Princess Argjiro" Legend, Gjirokastër
The legend says:
The castle is also known as the castle of Argjirose. Princess Argjiro is thought to have been the ruler of the city of Gjirokastra during the 14th century. She was married to the prince of this city.
Princess Argjiro, in order not to fall alive into the hands of the Ottomans who surrounded the castle, jumped from the highest tower of the castle together with her baby son. She fell straight on a rock and broke but her son survived, and for blessed he began to drip milk.
According to legend it is said that the baby survived the stone dripping milk. Legend has it that the name of Gjirokastra comes from the name of the princess.
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Posted by: Genc Minarolli
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