Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1925-02-19
ALBANIA LITTLE
KNOWN COUNTRY
People Cling to Language
and Customs With Wig
o-ous TenacAty.

Washington. ID. C.-Rebel attacks
upon rirana, capital of Albania, af,
ford on.y one more episode of the kind
In Albania stormy history, says bull
tiers of the National Geographic SO
ciety.
"The country was created in 1917
to avert World war;" continues the
bulletin "and until the World war did
come it was Europe's newest nation,
though 1t was peopled by the Oldest
race in the Balkans. During the world
struggle five countries occupied parts
of it; Germany, Austria and Bulgaria
controlling northern districts while
France and Italy divided the south
"Not for Albany, Try Europe"
1T was Edward GibDOn who once
called Albania "a country within sight
Of Italy. which is less known than the
interior Of America More than
century later the tables were turned
when a letter from England for Al
bania was sent to the United States
and returned with the notation Not
for Albany, try Europe Even today
when the wars aftermath has carried
Americans into many obscure corners
Of Europe Albania remains almost I'M
visited, unknown, and seldom men
toned in the days news.
''The Albanians are rugged, primi-
rive mountain people who, it has been
iTl IsV
disease, but more often from differ
ences of opinion They are classed
along with the French, Portuguese
and WalloOns as members OF the
Greco-Latin branch of the Aryan race.
Their mountain life has fOstered q
passionate love of independence and
they cling to their language and their
customs with vigorous tenacity, even
when groups are transplanted to other
lands. The name of the Albanians.
meaning people of the snow-land, has
been fastened upon them by their
neighbOrs; they call themselves 'Sklpe-
tari,' or mountaineers. One Inn
portant tribe, the Catholic Mirdites,
bitterly oppose the settlement OF any
MOhammedans In their vicinity.
along the Shkumbia river, the
Roman Egnatian way still displays its
traces. This stream divides the Chris
tian Albanians into two groups. The
Roman Catholic Ghegs live to the
north, the Greek Orthodox Toscs live
to the south
'An Albanian, Marco Bo2zaris, 10
referred to in the famous lines, AT
midnight in his guarded tent George
Castriota. better known to history az
Scanderbeg, is their national hero.
"The home town of Scanderbeg, vic
tor In a score or more fierce battles
with the Turks, is Kroia (or Kruga)
located on picturesque precipice OF
Albania's westernmOst mountain chain.
"Tirana Is in the west central part
Of Albania, 20 miles inland from Du-
raxzO. the country's principal port and
former canital. Until the outbreak Of
The World war the only welI-paved
highway in the country linFed these
two cities Not mile Of railroad has
yet been built The goyernme nt seat
was moved inland az Dleasuye Of pro-
lection against such invasions as that
which overlook Fiume.
An Imposing Frontier Town.
'Tirana lacks the aspects of from
tier settlement that one would expect
It has rich bazaars, homes that seem
truly palatial in comparison with the
primitive village mud houses. and
mosques Of genuine beauty, facing
broad. well-paved streets. The streets
are spotted with squares where fOun-
tains play and market places where
women sell embroideries. brass work
and intricately carved pipes for smok-
ers The city's population 10 less than
1900.
IAN Albanian family is sufficient
unto itself Except FOR the trading in
q few cities-in Scutari. Korytza and
Argyrocastro. besides those already
mentioned. there ID no semblance Of
an economic system.
"A woman in a country district
works hard. but she is no mere drudge.
She makes bread Of maize and cooks
II over an open hearth fire. The re-
naming wood ashes she uses in place
Of soap She weaves wooden cloth and
plaits black braid for the garments
she makes of it.
"The folklore of these country folk
Ii extensive and remains to be studied.
There are tales galore of the evil eye
the casting of spells and witchcraft.
Many OF these have crude basis Of
utility. One observer points to
widespread belief in the Shtriga, or
witchwoman. who has the power to
decrease her size to that of fly, crawl
through keyholes and crannies, and
suck her victims blood He wonders
whether the Misunderstanding mosquito
may not have given rise to this story"