THE ORIENTAL MANUSCRIPTS IN ALBANIA, pp. 135-144
Albanian archives and libraries have preserved a great number of Oriental manuscripts. Until today, research has shown that these manuscripts, starting from Hicri 704/ the year 1304-1305 to 1952, are written in Arabic, Persian and Turkish by Albanian and foreign writers. Their number amounts to 873, but it is estimated that the number of Oriental manuscripts in Albania is more than 2000. The first manuscript is preserved in the National Library (Tirana) and the last manuscript is preserved in the Central Archive of the State of Albania. Although a part of the collection was lost, due to human and natural factors during the centuries, in different cities from the North to the South of this country, this collection is an important treasure of the culture of the Albanian nation. The people have preserved and inherited them from generation to generation as sacred books for their lives and families. Researchers will find in this collection of manuscripts an insightful resource about the history, literature and culture of Islamic religion in Albanian territories during the Ottoman Administration. Part of the collection is comprised of rare manuscripts, which exist only in the aforementioned institutions. Their value lies not only in their number, but also in their writing, art and content, originality, how they are transcripted, translated or copied. They influenced a highly intellectual Albanian elite and in so doing resulted in the development of the Islamic culture in Albania. These manuscripts also played an important role in the spiritual daily life of the population.
Keywords: Albania, Ottoman Empire, Islamic culture, Arabic, Persian and Turkish manuscripts
DOI Number: 10.17822/omad.2018.88
THE ORIENTAL MANUSCRIPTS IN ALBANIA, pp. 135-144
Albanian archives and libraries have preserved a great number of Oriental manuscripts. Until today, research has shown that these manuscripts, starting from Hicri 704/ the year 1304-1305 to 1952, are written in Arabic, Persian and Turkish by Albanian and foreign writers. Their number amounts to 873, but it is estimated that the number of Oriental manuscripts in Albania is more than 2000. The first manuscript is preserved in the National Library (Tirana) and the last manuscript is preserved in the Central Archive of the State of Albania. Although a part of the collection was lost, due to human and natural factors during the centuries, in different cities from the North to the South of this country, this collection is an important treasure of the culture of the Albanian nation. The people have preserved and inherited them from generation to generation as sacred books for their lives and families. Researchers will find in this collection of manuscripts an insightful resource about the history, literature and culture of Islamic religion in Albanian territories during the Ottoman Administration. Part of the collection is comprised of rare manuscripts, which exist only in the aforementioned institutions. Their value lies not only in their number, but also in their writing, art and content, originality, how they are transcripted, translated or copied. They influenced a highly intellectual Albanian elite and in so doing resulted in the development of the Islamic culture in Albania. These manuscripts also played an important role in the spiritual daily life of the population.
Anahtar Kelimeler: Albania, Ottoman Empire, Islamic culture, Arabic, Persian and Turkish manuscripts
DOI Number: 10.17822/omad.2018.88