Shurdh

Shurdh (Albanian definite form: Shurdhi) is a name for the weather and storm god in Albanian pagan mythology. In some regions of the Albanian Alps the weather and storm god has been referred to as Rmoria or Shen Verbti; the latter is an Albanian adjectival noun meaning "the blind one" that has been used in other northern Albanian regions (documented in Zadrima), to refer to the fire and wind god.[1] In Zadrima the sky and lightning god has been called Zojz, the clear equivalent and cognate of Messapic Zis and Ancient Greek Zeus (all from Proto-Indo-European *Di̯ḗu̯s 'sky god').[2] Another possible name of the sky and lightning god could be Perëndi. The Albanian divine culture hero drangue, who plays a dominant role in Albanian mythology, features the attributes of a sky and lightning deity, apparently an Albanian reflection of the Indo-European sky god.[3]

Worshiped in northern Albania until recent times, the weather and storm god was believed to cause hailstorms and throw thunder and lightning.[4]

Shurdhi is thought to have been an ancient Illyrian theonym, equivalent and partly cognate of Thracian Zibelthiurdos.[5]

  1. ^ Elsie 2001, pp. 238–259; Çabej 1966, p. 372
  2. ^ Søborg 2020, p. 74; Hyllested & Joseph 2022, p. 232; Dedvukaj 2023, p. 1.
  3. ^ Tirta 2004, p. 127.
  4. ^ Jordan 2004, p. 284; Berishaj 2004, p. 49; Treimer 1971, pp. 31–33; Elsie 2001, pp. 238–259; Lambertz 1922, p. 49; Lambertz 1973, p. 503; Çabej 1966, p. 372.
  5. ^ Jordan 2004, p. 284; Treimer 1971, pp. 31–33; Elsie 2001, p. 238; Lurker 2004, p. 172.