Dheu

An instance of the Albanian worship of the Mother Earth is the veneration and deep respect that the pople of Kelmend dedicate to her. For them environment is of great importance, and they are deeply attached to their territory, maintaining a balance that involves material aspects as well as cultural and spiritual aspects.[1]

Dheu (Albanian indefinite form: Dhé), the Earth, is the object of a special cult, important oaths, and curse formulas in Albanian paganism.

The Earth Mother Goddess or Great Mother (Magna Mater) is simply referred to as Dhé or Dheu in Albanian, and traces of her worship have been preserved in Albanian tradition.[2] The Albanian noun Toka "The Earth" is also used to refer to the living Earth.[3]

Zonja e Dheut (also Gheg Albanian: Zôja e Dheut) is used in Albanian to refer to the Earth Goddess.[4]

  1. ^ Wolff 2022, pp. 109, 115.
  2. ^ Poghirc 1987, p. 178; Ushaku 1988, pp. 92, 95–97; Pipahi 1993, p. 253; Tirta 2004, pp. 189–190, 230.
  3. ^ Stipčević 2009, p. 506.
  4. ^ Ushaku 1988, pp. 92, 95–97; Mann 1948, pp. 583–584.