Oda (Albania)
Oda is a typical large room in an Albanian traditional house used by the host to receive and entertain the guests. Usage. "Oda" are used by the host to receive and entertain the guests. Traditionally, the host and the guests in the "oda" are old men and married men. Till the end of the 20th century, women and young boys were not allowed to enter the room. In the "oda", the men talk, take political discussions and sing epic songs until late hours. During an "oda" "session", historical events and traditions are transmitted orally through discussions and songs . In the "odas", knowledge were handed down the generations through epic tales and ballads. During 19th and 20th century—in order to counter the Turkish and Serbian bans on Albanian language—"odas" were secretly used for teachings in Albanian. In Yugoslavian Kosovo many "odas" were transformed into classrooms and home-schools to resume and conserve Albanian education.