I Verbti

I Verbti (Albanian: [i ˈveɾbti]) is an Albanian adjectival noun meaning "the blind one",[note 1] which was used in northern Albanian folk beliefs to refer to the god of fire and wind in the Zadrima region, and to the thunderstorm god in Dukagjin and the Malësia e Vogël; in Shala the thunderstorm god was referred to as Rmoria. These beliefs survived in northern Albania until recent times.[2]

In Zadrima it was believed that by controlling the wind I Verbti is able to fan the flames of fire and move water, the opposite element to fire.[3] The Albanian word for "Thursday" – e enjte – was evidently named after the Albanian fire god Enji.[4] Originally holding a prominent role in the Albanian pantheon, under Christianization the god of fire and wind was demonized and considered a false god, and it was spread about that anyone who invoked him would be blinded by fire.[5] The purifying power of fire underlies the popular idea according to which the god of fire is the enemy of uncleanliness and the opponent of filth.[6]

In Dukagjin, Malësia e Vogël and Shala it was believed that the thunderstorm god Shën Verbti ("the holy blind one") or Rmoria lives in the clouds and travels using storm clouds which announce hailstorms when he arrives. He can be greeted and turned away with noise and gunshots. These beliefs and practices were similar to those associated with the thunderstorm god Shurdh.[7]

  1. ^ Lambertz 1922, pp. 47, 49, 145–146; Lambertz 1973, pp. 505–506; Tagliavini 1963, p. 177; Elsie 2001, p. 259; Lurker 2004, p. 197.
  2. ^ Elsie 2001, p. 259; Jordan 2004, p. 339; Lurker 2004, p. 197; Çabej 1966, pp. 372–373; Lambertz 1922, pp. 47, 49, 145–146; Lambertz 1973, pp. 505–506.
  3. ^ Elsie 2001, p. 259; Lambertz 1922, pp. 47, 49, 145–146; Lambertz 1973, pp. 505–506.
  4. ^ Orel 1998, p. 88; Treimer 1971, p. 32.
  5. ^ Lurker 2004, p. 197; Stadtmüller 1954, pp. 216–217; Lambertz 1922, pp. 47, 49, 145–146.
  6. ^ Lambertz 1922, pp. 47, 49, 145–146.
  7. ^ Elsie 2001, pp. 238, 259; Çabej 1966, pp. 372–373.


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