“Furia Albanica” - The Last Myth for the Preservation of Albanian National Identity

Rrezearta Reka Thaçi

doi:10.5901/mjss.2016.v7n4p533

Abstract

Myths, although social constructs, are necessary means for constructing and preserving national identities. Sports and football in particular, have shown to be one of strongest myths of national identity, and thus, of a national unity. This is true for Albanians, and in particular for the Albanians living in Kosovo, due to the process of establishing a new state identity parallel to the existing national identity. The aim of the paper is to present the specific case of Kosovo, whereas a national football team upholds the main myth for a unified Albanian community, and the challenges brought about by Kosovo’s acceptance to the UEFA, in regard to the preservation of national identity. The theoretical review will reflect upon myths, its relation with sports and football in particular, and semantics behind the notion of nation and state, as used by the Albanian language. Through the comparative method, similar examples will be presented whereas the football myth has become the strongest national pride. Lastly, through the quantitative method, selected results of a survey conducted for the author’s main PhD thesis will be presented, in regard to affiliation with a national football team. The paper will reveal that a national team may and usually serves as the strongest imaginative community of what we call a nation. In cases such as Kosovo, it is actually the strongest myth, parallel to other symbols, such as the national flag, capable of mobilizing masses. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2016.v7n4p533

Highlights

Identity has proven to be a puzzling phenomenon for scholars of various disciplines
As is the case with identity, national identity is created and preserved by relying on myths, as social constructs rooted in legends, and often through exaggeration of actual events and personalities; it is still fair to conclude that myths construct the identity, or at least, the perception that individuals may have on who they are
The observation method is complemented by a theoretical review, which is used for explanatory purposes, in presenting main theories on myth, identity, national identity, and nationalism, as key concepts of the paper

Summary

Introduction

Identity has proven to be a puzzling phenomenon for scholars of various disciplines. It has made for an interesting topic of research, to be studied by sociology, psychology, anthropology, political science, history and even semantic and linguistic science. Due to its abstract nature, the measurement of identity in individuals and communities has proven to be a highly difficult and complex task. This complexity is attributed to the changing of identity during the course of time, and the vast array of factors that impact the sense of identity, different in each individual. On the other hand, is yet another layer of identity which is even more difficult to be sociologically measured. Due to the semantics and linguistic uncertainty in the terminology that defines what nation means, or if nationality is different from statehood or even citizenship, national identity still remains a field not sufficiently explored. As is the case with identity, national identity is created and preserved by relying on myths, as social constructs rooted in legends, and often through exaggeration of actual events and personalities; it is still fair to conclude that myths construct the identity, or at least, the perception that individuals may have on who they are

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