Cultural conflict and the Kanun: A study of tradition and identity in Koliqi's and Kadare's narrative

Valbona Kalo

doi:10.31893/multiscience.2025469

Keywords:

Abstract

This paper provides an in-depth analysis of the impact of the Kanun of Lekë Dukagjini on Albanian literature, focusing on two key works: Hija e maleve (The Shadow of the Mountains) by Ernest Koliqi and Prilli i thyer (Broken April) by Ismail Kadare. The central question explores how the Kanun's moral and legal codes are woven into the narrative structures and character development in these literary works. Using a blend of narrative and anthropological approaches, the study examines how the Kanun shapes themes such as conflict resolution, symbolism, and the portrayal of societal norms. The narrative analysis delves into story structure, character arcs, and thematic elements, while the anthropological approach considers cultural contexts, rituals, and the Kanun's influence on daily life, particularly its confrontation with modernity. Techniques like thematic analysis are employed to identify motifs shaped by the Kanun, alongside discourse analysis to reveal how these themes reflect and reinforce Albanian cultural values. Preliminary findings indicate that Koliqi and Kadare use the Kanun as a driving force in their narratives: Koliqi highlights its role in maintaining social order, while Kadare critiques its impact on personal freedom and justice. This duality underscores the Kanun's role as both a stabilizing and restrictive force in Albanian literature. The study concludes by emphasizing the value of integrating narrative and anthropological perspectives to better understand the complexity of the Kanun’s influence on Albanian cultural and literary identity. This research contributes to broader discussions in literary and anthropological scholarship by shedding light on the intricate relationship between tradition and narrative in Albanian literature.
References
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16. Koliqi, E. (1960). Hija e maleve. Shejzat.
17. Lévi-Strauss, C. (1963). Structural anthropology. Basic Books.
18. Morgan, P. (2000). Ismail Kadare: The writer and the dictatorship, 1957-1990. Oxford University Press.
19. Ndreca, A. (2012). Etika e Kanunit dhe përplasja me modernitetin. Shkodra Review, 12(2), 41-60.
20. Shala, K. (2015). Ernest Koliqi: Authentica et urbana. Buzuku.
21. Jung, C. G. (1969). The archetypes and the collective unconscious. Princeton University Press.
22. Jung, C. G. (1977). The symbolic life: Miscellaneous writings. Princeton University Press.
23. Martucci, D., &Gjeçov, S. (2021). Kanuni i Lekë Dukagjinit (P. Dodaj, Trans.). Besa MuciEditore.
24. Suta, B. (2004). Pamje të modernitetit në letërsinë shqipe. Onufri.
25. Vehbiu, A. (2021, September 17). Beja dhe besa në shqipe. Peizazhe të Fjalës. https://peizazhe.com/2021/09/17/beja-dhe-besa-ne-shqipe/

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How to cite

Kalo, V. (2024). Cultural conflict and the Kanun: A study of tradition and identity in Koliqi’s and Kadare’s narrative. Multidisciplinary Science Journal, (| Accepted Articles). https://doi.org/10.31893/multiscience.2025469

[1] Bakhtin, M. (1981). The dialogic imagination: Four essays. University of Texas Press.

[2] Bakhtin, M. (1984). Problems of Dostoevsky’s poetics (C. Emerson, Trans.). University of Minnesota Press.

[3] Barthes, R. (1957). Mythologies. Éditions du Seuil.

[4] Barthes, R. (1974). S/Z. Hill and Wang

[5] Bourdieu, P. (1977). Outline of a theory of practice. Cambridge University Press.

[6] Butler, J. (1990). Gender trouble: Feminism and the subversion of identity. Routledge.

[7] Doja, A. (2006). The politics of traditional law in the Albanian Kanun. Anthropology of East Europe Review, 24(2), 231-258.

[8] Freud, S. (1962). The ego and the id. W.W. Norton & Company.

[9] Geertz, C. (1973). The interpretation of cultures: Selected essays. Basic Books.

[10] Genette, G. (1980). Narrative discourse: An essay in method. Cornell University Press.

[11] Girard, R. (1977). Violence and the sacred. Johns Hopkins University Press.

[12] Gjeçov, S. (1985). Kanuni i Lekë Dukagjinit: The code of Lekë Dukagjini. Gjonlekaj Publishing Company.

[13] Hamiti, S. (2009). Albanizma. Prishtinë.

[14] Kadare, I. (2009). Broken April. Vintage Books.

[15] Kristeva, J. (1980). Desire in language: A semiotic approach to literature and art. Columbia University Press.

[16] Koliqi, E. (1960). Hija e maleve. Shejzat.

[17] Lévi-Strauss, C. (1963). Structural anthropology. Basic Books.

[18] Morgan, P. (2000). Ismail Kadare: The writer and the dictatorship, 1957-1990. Oxford University Press.

[19] Ndreca, A. (2012). Etika e Kanunit dhe përplasja me modernitetin. Shkodra Review, 12(2), 41-60.

[20] Shala, K. (2015). Ernest Koliqi: Authentica et urbana. Buzuku.

[21] Jung, C. G. (1969). The archetypes and the collective unconscious. Princeton University Press.

[22] Jung, C. G. (1977). The symbolic life: Miscellaneous writings. Princeton University Press.

[23] Martucci, D., &Gjeçov, S. (2021). Kanuni i Lekë Dukagjinit (P. Dodaj, Trans.). Besa MuciEditore.

[24] Suta, B. (2004). Pamje të modernitetit në letërsinë shqipe. Onufri.

[25] Vehbiu, A. (2021, September 17). Beja dhe besa në shqipe. Peizazhe të Fjalës. https://peizazhe.com/2021/09/17/beja-dhe-besa-ne-shqipe/

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