Albanian culture is sung, danced and stitched. Several of its traditions are recognised by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage. Here is what to listen for, and what to look out for, at the next wedding or festival.
Iso-polyphony: the sound of the south
Albanian folk iso-polyphony is group singing in which one or more voices hold a steady drone, the iso, while others sing over it. UNESCO recognises it as a masterpiece of intangible heritage. There are northern Gheg styles and southern Tosk and Lab styles, and four-part singing is a Lab speciality.
The lahuta and the songs of the frontier warriors
The lahuta is a one-stringed bowed instrument. A singer plays it to accompany himself in the këngë kreshnike, the epic songs of the frontier warriors. The art of playing, singing and making the lahuta was added to UNESCO’s list of heritage in need of urgent safeguarding in 2025.
Instruments to know
- Çifteli: a two-stringed lute played mainly in northern and central Albania and in Kosovo.
- Sharki: a long-necked fretted lute, often played alongside the çifteli in Kosovo.
- Def: a frame drum that keeps the beat in many ensembles.
- Clarinet: the lead voice of the southern kaba, a soulful improvised piece accompanied by violin, lute and def.
Dances
- Valle: the circle and line dances you will see at Albanian weddings and celebrations.
- K’cimi dancing of Tropojë: a dance from Tropojë in the north, performed by couples facing each other, recognised by UNESCO in 2024.
- The Rugova sword dance: two men stage a mock battle with swords, a famous dance from the Rugova region of Kosovo.
Craft: the xhubleta
The xhubleta is a bell-shaped felt garment worn by women in the northern highlands, decorated with symbolic motifs. UNESCO added the skills of making and wearing it to its urgent safeguarding list in 2022.
Where to see it live
The National Folklore Festival in Gjirokastër, first held at the castle in 1968, brings performers from across the Albanian world together. It is held periodically; the most recent edition was in 2023.
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Sources: UNESCO: Albanian folk iso-polyphony · UNESCO: The lahuta · UNESCO: K’cimi dancing of Tropojë · UNESCO: Xhubleta · Wikipedia: Çifteli · Wikipedia: Kaba · Wikipedia: Albanian war dances · Albanian government: Gjirokastër festival 2023