Long time ago, in the ancient times, in the lands of the Illyrian (Albanian)
tribe of Epirots, a great king named Pyrro came to power. Soon he conquered
the lands nearby the land of the Epirots, and even took his army and fought
in southern Italy. Pyrro was a military genius and he won a lot of battles
with incredible speed. Once, after winning yet another battle, his soldiers
complemented him thus: "O great Pyrro. You fight and win like an eagle".
Pyrro answered: "Yes my friends. I do fight like an eagle, but you, my army,
are my wings". From then on, the eagle has had such a great meaning to
Albanians that the name that they call themselves by in their language means
"sons of eagles"; their land is called Shqiperia, the land of the eagles; and
the name of their language (Shqip) means plainly "eagle". The eagle of course
is in the flag, where it has two heads, as it was used by the great Albanian
hero, Skenderbeg. It symbolizes that no matter the differences between them
(religious atc.), the Albanians are one, represented by the one body of the
eagle.
The Albanian word of honor - BESA
The Albanians BESA is most closely translated as the word of honor. It is
something that is almost holy to the Albanians, and a true Albanian is supposed
to keep his given BESA no matter what. There are many stories told about the
BESA (many of which are probably true), but here is the most amazing one.
Two young men got into a fight in a crowd in the streets, and one of them shot
the other. He started to run away, but was chased by the 'xhandars' (old form
of police forces in Balkans). He fled into a house and asked the woman who was
there to hide him.
The woman gave him the BESA and hid him. The police forces soon came to the
house and asked for the young man. In the middle of the conversation, the
woman understood that they were chasing the young man she was hiding because
of murder, and that he had shot her son. Yet, she had given the BESA, and she
did not tell the police that the man who had shot her son was in the house.
Albanian hospitality
Albanians are also known for their warm hospitality. An Albanian feels bound
to shelter anybody who knocks on the door asking for shelter. Following is a
story about this strong Albanian characteristic.
An Albanian had done many damages and sabotaged the Pasha (Turkish official;
Turks ruled Albania for over five centuries) in the city of Shkodra. Eventually,
he was caught and brought to the Pasha. The Pasha organized a celebration, in
the middle of which the Albanian was to be executed. When the executor was
about to chopp off his head, the Pasha decided to humiliate the Albanian in
front of his guests.
"Tell me," said he, "have you ever been in a position like this before."
"Yes. Twice," answered the Albanian, in surprise to everyone.
"When," asked the Pasha.
"Twice I have had guests in my house, and I didn't have any food for them.
They went to bed hungry", answered the Albanian, tears rolling from his eyes.
The Pasha was so touched by this, that he spared the Albanian's life.