KULTI I MYSAFIRIT APO MIKUT NË TRADITËN TONË POPULLORE
THE CULT OF THE GUEST IN ALBANIAN FOLK TRADITION

Summary/Abstract: In Albanian folk tradition the actions or beliefs by which the guest or friend is respected are numerous. To any person that knocks on the door and shouts: “O zoti i shpisë, a do mysafir?” ("O lord of the house, do you want a guest?"), the door must be opened saying: “Mirë se të pruni Zoti” (“Good that God brought you”). So the very words “Mirë se të pruni Zoti” ("Good that God brought you”), clearly show that the guest is not considered a simple man, ordinary like all other people. He possesses something more; he has been brought to the door of the host by God Himself. In fact, according to tradition and canon: “Po të hini miku në shpi, gjak me të pasë, do t’i thuash – “Mirë se erdhe!” ("If a guest enters your home, even if being in blood feud with him, you will say to him, “Welcome!”). It is popularly believed that the guest or friend is sent by God to test the character, generosity, and spirit of the family whose door is knocked on, and that the friend brings God's blessing, health, and abundance into the host family.

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