Traditional System of Mortuary Vocal Signals in Albania
Keywords:
Death, emotion, crying, ritual performanceAbstract
Funeral crying marks a universal human response to painful experiences of separation, loss, bereavement, absence. The aim of the present article is to describe and analyze some characteristic vocal techniques of crying in Albanian funeral tradition. Howling, wailing, screaming and roaring will be interpreted as symbolic vocal signals borrowed from the realm of nature and ritualized in ceremonial performances. These sonic productions constitute cultural cornerstones for the musical system of emotional self-expression, self-identification as well as social communication in funeral context and everyday concern.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Submitting any article for publication conveys the copyright to the Harrassowitz Press / the Journal of Balkanology. Publishing an article elsewhere after it appears in the Journal of Balkanology is permitted, provided this is discussed with the editorial staff first and proper credit is given to where the article first appeared.
Submitted articles should be original articles that have never been published, or were previously submitted for publication, in substantially the same form or with substantially the same contents. The author is responsible for ensuring that he or she has the copyright or user license for any materials (e.g. photos) used in an article.
