Did you know that you can experience Albanian wedding customs in Tirana, every night?
Albanian Night is the country’s premier ethnocultural center and entertainment venue putting on a nightly show where participants can dress up in traditional Albanian clothes and experience the beauty of Balkan wedding traditions, right in the center of Tirana.
For those who are curious to learn more about Albanian wedding traditions, we’ve put together this guide explaining the significance of different Albanian marriage customs (these examples in particular focus on central Albanian wedding traditions), each of which showcases the country’s unique cultural heritage and deep symbolism!
Albanian Wedding Traditions
Albanian wedding customs are full of symbolic depth reflecting the country’s ancient culture. For example, it was customary in Albania for the groom’s family to come pick up the bride in what was known as the krushqeria, the groom’s wedding procession. This was a joyous moment for the families: relatives and musicians would gather at the house of the bride to accompany her to the wedding ceremony and her husband’s home.There would be festive dances, exchanges of gifts and warm greetings between the two families.
Did you know that every Albanian groom had a handkerchief he’d have to burn as the day of the wedding approached? The shamia e beqarise, literally translated as “the handkerchief of bachelorhood,” would be burned by the bachelor to signify the end of his days of singlehood. A playful song performed at Albanian Night called “Shamia e Beqarit” implores the bride to wash the handkerchief and prepare it for her husband-to-be’s departure from being single to married:
e laje ti moj goce laje / wash it, oh girl, wash it
e shamine e beqarit e / the handkerchief of bachelorhood
e shtrydhe ti moj goce shtrydhe / wring it girl, wring it
e shamine e beqarit e / the handkerchief of bachelorhood
Many Albanian wedding songs are playful, drawing on themes of flirtation, mischief and the excitement that surrounds the transition into married life. Another popular Albanian wedding song, “Ra Faja Prej Fikut,” tells the story of a curious boy who climbs a fig tree to take a peek at a girl who has caught his eye. As the title suggests – it literally means “Faja fell from the fig tree” – the branch breaks and the boy falls to the ground, gaining a limp that dancers impersonate as the song plays. Every village in Albania would have a symbolic “Faja” who was a bit of a wimp. In the story, Faja becomes even less attractive as punishment for his curiosity, and every bride-to-be would hope that she wouldn’t be married off to this village boy with poor prospects!
Albanian Bride Traditions
There were plenty of Albanian wedding customs that centered around the bride, too – for example, a bride would typically wear a red veil called duvaku. It symbolized chastity and modesty but also blood, referencing blood and the hopes that the marriage would be a fruitful one that would continue the family line.
But most importantly, Albanians believe plenty – even today – in the power of the evil eye. The lifting of the veil and looking into her husband’s eyes would protect the bride from the evil looks of anyone wishing her ill, guaranteeing her prosperity and blessings.
And finally, the bride would smear honey on the doorpost of the groom’s home before the wedding ceremony starts: lyerja e pragut me mjaltë was a custom that would symbolize bringing sweetness, blessings and harmony into the new household. The gesture was meant to bless the marriage and home with good fortune.
Balkan wedding customs are beautiful and full of symbolism, blending ancient customs with festive celebration. From the burning of the bachelor’s handkerchief to the bride’s red veil that shields her from the evil eye, each ritual tells a story of love, family, transformation and good humor that typifies Albanian culture.
If you don’t have an Albanian friend getting married soon, head to Albanian Night to experience a reenactment of an Albanian wedding on your next trip to Tirana!
