Kosovo is located in Southeastern Europe, in the central regions of the Balkan Peninsula, surrounded by mountain ranges covered with dense forests. We want to get acquainted with the culture and traditions of the people of Kosovo. Stay with Saad News.
Kosovo, officially known as the Republic of Kosovo, is a country located in the center of the Balkan Peninsula in Southeastern Europe. It declared independence in 2008, but Serbia considers it part of its territory. As of February 27, 2017, 110 countries have recognized Kosovo's independence, and it has joined international institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. However, Russia and China, two permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, have not recognized Kosovo's independence, and the country is not a member of the United Nations. After declaring independence unilaterally, Kosovo changed its name from the Kosovo region to the Republic of Kosovo.
This region, like other areas of Southeastern Europe, was under the influence and rule of the Hellenes, Romans, and Byzantines (Eastern Roman Empire) for a long period. However, the tumultuous history began in the early Middle Ages, specifically in the 7th century AD, when Orthodox Christian Serbs migrated to this area. Numerous monasteries remaining from that era show the dominance of Christianity in all aspects of life at the time.
This continued until the late 14th century, in 1389 AD, when the Ottoman Turks conquered the area, ending the rule of Christian kings and promoting the spread of Islam. The Ottoman rule in the region lasted for over five centuries. One of the significant actions of the Ottoman Empire was the relocation of many Albanians and a few Turks to the area for work and settlement. During the Balkan War of 1912, the Ottoman Empire was defeated, and the Serbs regained control of the region. After World War II, Kosovo became an autonomous province within the Serbian region of the Federal People's Republic of Yugoslavia. In the 1980s, Albanian nationalists sought greater political, social, and economic privileges, and tensions escalated with the rise of Serbian ultra-nationalism under Slobodan Milošević.
These political disputes led to a referendum in the 1990s, where Albanians insisted on their demands, and the Serbs declared the referendum illegal. In 1998, Serbian military, police, and paramilitary forces suppressed Albanians, displacing half of them. Kosovo's political leaders sought help from international communities. NATO, led by Western countries, intervened, forcing Serbian forces out of Kosovo, and the United Nations took control. Kosovo declared full independence in 2008 and became an internationally recognized independent country.
Culture of Kosovo: Interestingly, Kosovo has a high life expectancy and can be considered a young country, as the number of young people exceeds that of the elderly. The people have a modern culture, which is reflected in the numerous fashion houses in the country. Overall, the culture of Kosovo is strongly linked to happiness and a healthy lifestyle, which is evident even among children.
The official religion is Islam, with the majority of people being Sunni Muslims of the Hanafi school. There are also minorities who are Orthodox Christian, Catholic, and follow other religions. The official language is Albanian, and Serbian, Turkish, and Romani are also spoken among the population.
The country’s laws are based on the most modern European political structure. People separate work and life laws, and hijab is allowed in the country. The flag of Kosovo is designed with yellow and blue colors to symbolize peace and security. Each city in Kosovo has its own local laws, and transgender individuals are not legally allowed to change their gender. Driving is permitted on the right-hand side of the road.
This luxurious ceremony dates back a thousand years in the village of Donje Ljubinje, known for the detailed face painting to prevent bad luck in marriage. The village is located in the mountainous border region between Kosovo and North Macedonia, and its population exceeds three thousand. The villagers take pride in their traditional weddings, which reflect their unique identity. In the traditional makeup, three large circles on the bride’s face symbolize the cycles of life, and the red circles represent fertility. A cone is placed on the bride's head before she leaves the salon, and a red veil is placed on it. Two-thirds of the village’s population works in the city, and the wedding traditions are at risk of being lost.
Kosovo can be considered one of the countries formerly part of Serbia, and discussions regarding its independence have been ongoing for years. Despite Kosovo gaining independence from Serbia, Serbia does not fully acknowledge this independence.
