page_title: Gjakmarrja
hierarchical_section_title: Gjakmarrja
caption_attribution_description: English: Lock-in tower, Thethi, northern Albania, used as refuge for men involved in a blood feud (Gjakmarrja, or Hakmarrja, the social custom from the Kanuni i Lekë Dukagjinit) that are vulnerable to attack. עברית: מגדל מבוצר בכפר ת'ת'י, צפון אלבניה.
context_page_description: Gjakmarrja or hakmarrja refers to the social obligation to commit murder in order to salvage honour questioned by an earlier violation of any of the many core morals of Albanian culture. This practice is generally seen as in line with the Albanian social code known as Kanuni i Lekë Dukagjinit, or simply the Kanun. The code was originally a "a non-religious code that was used by Muslims and Christians alike."
  Protecting one’s honour is an essential component to Albanian culture because it is the core of social respectability. Honour is held in very high regard because it translates over generations. Legacies and history are carried in the family names of Albanians and must be held in high priority, even at the cost of ones life. Therefore, when a personal attack of a formidable magnitude is unleashed on a member of any family, an equal punishment is to be expected by the laws of the Kanun. Some of the actions that initiate gjakmarrja include "killing a guest while he was under the protection of the owner of the house, violation of private property, failure to pay a debt, kidnapping or the seduction or rape of a woman." This often extends many generations if the debt is not paid.
context_section_description: Gjakmarrja (English: "blood-taking", i.e. "blood feud") or hakmarrja ("revenge") refers to the social obligation to commit murder in order to salvage honour questioned by an earlier violation of any of the many core morals of Albanian culture. This practice is generally seen as in line with the Albanian social code known as Kanuni i Lekë Dukagjinit, or simply the Kanun (consisting of 12 books and 1,262 articles). The code was originally a "a non-religious code that was used by Muslims and Christians alike."
  Protecting one’s honour is an essential component to Albanian culture because it is the core of social respectability. Honour is held in very high regard because it translates over generations. Legacies and history are carried in the family names of Albanians  and must be held in high priority, even at the cost of ones life. Therefore, when a personal attack of a formidable magnitude is unleashed on a member of any family, an equal punishment is to be expected by the laws of the Kanun. Some of the actions that initiate gjakmarrja include "killing a guest while he was under the protection of the owner of the house, violation of private property, failure to pay a debt, kidnapping or the seduction or rape of a woman." This often extends many generations if the debt is not paid. Those who choose not to pay with the lives of their family members live in shame and seclusion for the rest of their lives, imprisoned in their homes.
caption: A fortified tower (kullë) used as a safe haven for men involved in a blood feud. Theth, northern Albania.
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