Besa~ The Albanian code of honour

Besa is an Albanian cultural precept, usually translated as "faith", that means "to keep the promise" and "word of honor".The word's origin can be traced to the Kanun of Lekë Dukagjini, a collection of Albanian traditional customs and cultural practices. Besa is an important part of personal and familial standing and is often used as an example of "Albanianism". Someone who breaks his besa may even be banished from his community. The roots of this code sprouted from the Code of Leke Dukagjini, an Albanian cultural code.



Besa related sayings include:
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* Besa e shqiptarit nuk shitet pazarit (besa of an Albanian can not be sold or bought in a bazaar)
* Shqiptari kur jep fjalen therr djalin (an Albanian can sacrifice his own son in order to keep his word(=besa)
* Shqiptaret vdesin dhe besen nuk e shkelin (Albanians would die rather than break besa)
* Besa e shqiptarit si purteka e arit, etj (the Albanians' besa is worth more than gold)




Besa during the World War II
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Besa also means taking care of those in need and being hospitable. During World War II, Albanians, 70% of whom are Muslim, saved over 2000 Jews from Nazi persecution.Albanians are noted for their lack of religious hatred.Both Albanian Christians and Muslims adhere to the besa code and saved Jews during World War II. Rather than hiding the Jews in attics or the woods, Albanians gave them clothes, gave them Muslim names, and treated them as part of the family. The concept of besa is incorporated into their religion.Before World War II only about 200 Albanians were Jewish. At the end of the war about 2000 Jews were living in Albania.