Dervish Hatixhe’s Veneration in Contemporary Albania: Visual Representations, Devotional Practices and Sensory Experiences
This article explores the veneration of Hatixhe, an 18th-century Sufi saint from Tirana, Albania, whose legacy continues to resonate across religious and cultural boundaries. Despite limited historical records, Hatixhe’s sainthood is venerated through hagiographic narratives that portray her as a co...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Religions |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/16/2/163 |
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| Summary: | This article explores the veneration of Hatixhe, an 18th-century Sufi saint from Tirana, Albania, whose legacy continues to resonate across religious and cultural boundaries. Despite limited historical records, Hatixhe’s sainthood is venerated through hagiographic narratives that portray her as a compassionate healer, spiritual protector, and symbol of resilience. This study investigates the visual, ritual, and sensory dimensions of her shrine, which has become one of the focal points for interfaith devotion in post-socialist Albania. Embodied rituals—such as touching her tomb and lighting candles—allow devotees to connect with her <i>shenjtëri</i> (“sainthood”). Through these acts, Hatixhe’s legacy as a <i>grua e shenjt</i> (“holy woman”) or <i>grua e mirë</i> (“good woman”) is anchored in both religious and cultural contexts, as her <i>shenjtëri</i> integrates local and national values, partly transcending Islamic frameworks. Hatixhe’s <i>teqe</i>, preserved through the efforts of her female heirs during the communist era, serves as a unique testament to a female lineage in Albanian Sufism. By examining the spatial, material, and symbolic aspects of her veneration, this study underscores the significance of Hatixhe’s <i>shenjtëri</i> as a site of blessing and communal solidarity for women, enriching the understanding of their roles in Albanian spiritual and social life. |
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| ISSN: | 2077-1444 |