Kosovo culture

Kosovo culture people food and festivals 

History

As with the rest of the Balkan countries, the region now known as Kosovo was first settled in antiquity and became part of the Roman Empire just over two millennia ago. During the European migrations sparked by the fall of Rome, the region was subject to barbarian raids during the 5th and 6th centuries, with Slavs arriving and taking over in the late 6th and 7th centuries. Until the Middle Ages, the region slipped into obscurity, although by the 9th century, it was part of the Bulgarian Empire and had absorbed Orthodox Christianity.

The Byzantine armies arrived in force in the early 11th century to reclaim the region, and the tug of war between Byzantium, Serbian and Bulgarian powers continued until Serbia finally outlasted the others in the 12th century. The first reference to an Albanian population came in the late 11th century and, by the early 14th century, Kosovo was a spiritual and political center for the Serbian Empire as well as the seat of the Serbian Archbishopric.

At the present time, ethnic Albanians form the majority of Kosovo’s population, with Albanian the country’s official language and Islam the major religion. Village life, with its extensive family networks ruled by a patriarch, still exist in the rural areas although, as young people move to the cities, it’s being diluted by Western values. Among this group, lifestyles are based on the clan system, with many unwritten rules and norms that date back centuries regarded as legally binding, including personal honor and trust.

Generally, Kosovo’s culture is an eclectic mix of ethnicities, including a number of separate languages and traditions. Ottoman heritage is strong with Turkish-speakers found in several regions and the Serbian minority leading the less populous groups in the rural areas. A small number of Roma remain and are traditionally credited with influencing folk music styles, as are the Serbs. Music, dance and art are highly valued, forming a major part of the cultural events and celebrations in the country, especially the elaborate wedding ceremonies with their elaborate costumes and make-up.