Ramadan in Albania

01/08/2010| IslamWeb

Ramadan traditions vary across the different regions of Albania. Some of the customs of Shkodra in northern Albania are described below.

Boom ba ba Boom! The ‘lodra’ sounds and stirs everyone from their sleep. The lodra is a double-ended cylinder drum covered in sheep or goat skin. The drummer hits each end with different sticks, resulting in a two-tone beat.

The drummer is traditionally from the Gypsy community and it is customary to give him food or money in recognition of his vital service. He might also be invited for Syfyr (pre dawn breakfast), or Iftaar.

The food that is eaten for the two main meals of Ramadan varies greatly between households as there is so much to choose from, and it is impossible to have everything at the same time. There are many similarities between Albanian and Turkish food, however Albania has some unique dishes created from an imaginative use of basic ingredients. You could select from Byrek, a flat flaky pastry pie eaten hot or cold, containing meat, spinach, or curds; Pastiçe, pasta with a milk, cheese, eggs and butter sauce; Petulla, fried dough with sweet or savory filling such as jam, cream sauces or cheese.

The drummer comes around once again to announce Iftaar. Iftaar is such a strong tradition that they are also offered by some Christians to fasting Muslims and attended by Christians as social gatherings.

Those who know and practice their religion attend the prayers and occupy the mosques throughout Ramadan and attend Taraaweeh prayers at the end each night.

During the years of strict Communism, all religious practices were banned and the prayer almost disappeared. However, nobody knew if you were fasting or not and many people maintained the fast by giving the excuse that they have previously eaten or that they feel unwell when offered food during Ramadan.