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Chapter 3 • Anton K. Berishaj
living in trauma and the bitter memory of rape: this is the dark fate of these
women following the experience of my people. This is a dilemma which
can be explained by motives of a double refusal, a refusal to accept and
take responsibility for this climate of hatred, and of the violence following
violence. (or, as last line, for this climate of hatred, and of the violence that
follows violence.)
Notes
1 The law of custom, which has been observed by the Albanian people through
the centuries, especially in the northern area of Albania. Among the main
principles of the Kanun are the respect of honour, the value of oral contracts,
and the blood feud as means of retribution.
2 The most popular version of the Kanun, transcribed by Leke Dukagjini (comrade
in arms of the Albanian national hero, Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg) in
the fifteenth century.
3 Part of the story told by Mark Doshi, DinoshÎ, Montenegro, March 1978.
References
Baret, M.
1983 Potcinjena zena (Misappropriate woman), Beograd.
Brown, R.
1982 Struktura i funkcija u primitivnom drustvu (Structure and functioning in
primitive societies), Beograd.
Berishaj, Anton K.
1998 Shndërrimi i etnisë, Pejë (Conversion of the ethnicity), Dukagjini.
Dyrham, E.
1991 Brenga e Ballkanit (Balkans concern), Tiranë.
Gjeçovi, S.
1972 Kanuni i Lekë Dukagjinit (Kanum of Lekë Dukagjini), Prishtinë, Rilindja.
Katunaric, V.
1984 Zenski eros i civilizacija smrti (Women eros and death civilization),
Zagreb, Naprijed.
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