Besa – the word spoken

Abstract

UDK: 343.14:392(497.15)(=18)

Besa is an integral part of Albanian identity in the Balkans. It is an oral tradition that in time has grown into an institution, a manner of speech that cannot be substituted with any norm that regulates individual and social behaviour of people, be it political, civil or criminal sphere of law or religion. Besa is primarily a spoken word, a cultural percept, an oath, a word of honour, and the protection of the guest. Its meaning is further extended to include the protection of the community and strengthening of the ethnic awareness. Failing to keep a promise, or a given word is to fall into deep distress, eternal guilt. To go back on a given word was sometimes worse than the most harrowing torture, worse than deadly illness, and sometimes worse than the death itself. It meant a burden of everlasting guilt that never ceases. Thus to reduce the meaning of besa Ito a mere belief, as is very often present in contemporary narratives, fails to grasp its true significance which is way deeper than a belief.