Besa is an Albanian cultural precept, usually translated as "faith", that means "to keep the promise" and "word of honor". The only word in Albania that can be translated as 'faithful' is 'besnik', derived from besa. Besnik for men and Besa for women continue to be very popular names among Albanians.
Besa e shqiptarit nuk shitet pazarit
(the honor of an Albanian can not be sold or bought in a bazaar)
Shqiptaret vdesin dhe besen nuk e shkelin
(Albanians would die rather than break honor)
Besa e shqiptarit si purteka e arit
(the Albanians' honor is worth more than gold)
(the honor of an Albanian can not be sold or bought in a bazaar)
Shqiptaret vdesin dhe besen nuk e shkelin
(Albanians would die rather than break honor)
Besa e shqiptarit si purteka e arit
(the Albanians' honor is worth more than gold)
Besa during World War II
Besa also means taking care of those in need and being hospitable. During World War II, Albanians saved over 2000 Jews from Nazi persecution. Rather than hiding the Jews in attics or the woods, Albanians gave them clothes, gave them Albanian names, and treated them as part of the family. The concept of besa is incorporated into their culture. Before World War II only about 200 Albanians were Jewish. At the end of the war about 2000 Jews were living in Albania.
"There is no trace of any discrimination against Jews in Albania, because Albania happens to be one of the rare lands in Europe today where religious prejudice and hate do not exist, even though Albanians themselves are divided into three faiths."
Herman Bernstein, the United States Ambassador to Albania, 1934
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