Albanian in Kosovo


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

Ethnic Albanians are probably descendants of the Illyrians who were the original inhabitants of the western Balkan Peninsula. In the sixth century, migrating Slavs began to settle on Illyrian territory and pushed the Illyrians into what is present-day Albania. Since that time many have spilled over into nearby Kosovo, and these are now known as Kosovo Albanians. Both Kosovo and Albania were once part of the Turkish-based Ottoman Empire until it weakened in the early 20th century. After WWI ended, Kosovo was joined with small nearby countries to form Yugoslavia which became communist after WWII. Before the Communist Era, Albanians were a tribal people who lived in extended family units called fis. The fis had many old traditions, such as the vendettas, or "blood feuds," which often lasted for several generations. For protection during these feuds, families lived in fortified stone buildings called kulas. The ground floor of the kula was built with small slits rather than windows, while the upper floor had windows that could be closed. Because of a strong communist dictator, the ethnic groups in Yugoslavia remained at peace, but hostilities between the Serbs and the Albanians were always near the surface. It became violent in the 1990s as Yugoslavia dissolved into a number of smaller countries including Kosovo. The Albanians are divided into two major groups, the Gheg and the Tosk, according to which Albanian dialect they speak. Albanians in Kosovo are almost always Gheg. The Gheg are noted for their sternness and courage.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Albanians in Kosovo are poor with a high unemployment rate. Over half of the youths are unemployed. Most people live in small plots of land in rural areas trying to grow enough food to survive. Over two-thirds of Albanian women experience domestic abuse at some time; a situation that often comes with a depressed economy. The infrastructure is broken; electricity is available to only a few. Personal hygiene is poor, most likely because they don't have adequate safe water for drinking or bathing. There are not enough bathrooms for sanitation purposes. There are shortages of houses and medical facilities. Their courts are overloaded with a huge backlog of cases. Surprisingly, Kosovo is a relatively safe country with a lower crime rate than the countries surrounding it.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Centuries ago, most Gheg Albanians were converted to Islam by the Ottoman Turks. However, they practiced a type of folk Islam which embraced occult practices such as praying to the dead, seeking cures for sickness, and praying for protection from spirits and curses. Though ethnic Albanians have leaned towards the Sunni Islam they inherited from the Ottomans, a minority adhere to the traditional Orthodox forms of Christianity.


What Are Their Needs?

Like all other peoples in Kosovo, the Albanians need their economy to improve. Kosovo is the second poorest country in Europe, with only Moldova being poorer.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord to raise up selfless believers to help the Albanians of Kosovo develop their economy so there will be adequate employment and a workable infrastructure. Pray for the Lord to give Albanians in Kosovo an abundant harvest as a sign of his power and goodness. Pray for an unstoppable movement of Albanian believers discipling others who will disciple still others.


Scripture Prayers for the Albanian in Kosovo.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

The Waiting World - The Albanian

Source:  The Waiting World      Download

People Name General Albanian
People Name in Country Albanian
Pronunciation al-BAY-nee-un
Alternate Names Chamurian; Gheg; Gheg Speaking; Kosovar; Scutari
Population this Country 1,497,000
Population all Countries 5,122,000
Total Countries 21
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 30
People ID 11880
ROP3 Code 103338
ROP25 Code 300207
ROP25 Name Albanian
Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.20 %)
2.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
92.00 %
Non-Religious
6.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Albanian, Gheg
Language Code aln   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
Albanian, Tosk
Primary Language Albanian, Gheg
Language Code aln   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
  Albanian, Tosk
People Groups Speaking Albanian, Gheg

Primary Language:  Albanian, Gheg

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1866-1978)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1869-1990)
Bible-Complete No
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Albanian, Gheg Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Four Spiritual Laws Campus Crusade for Christ
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General Walk with the Prophets and meet the Messiah Al Massira
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Albanian, Gheg YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Albanian, Gheg YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Bible: Comic Book Version Super Bible / Comic Bible Society
Text / Printed Matter Cartoon Gospel tract General / Other
Text / Printed Matter Jesus Messiah comic book General / Other
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Albanian, Gheg Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter Tools for faith conversations Campus Crusade for Christ
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Photo Source Anonymous 
Map Source Lulani I Medvegjes - Wikimedia  
Video Source The Waiting World
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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