Kenge Maje Krahi

Classified by A. L. Lloyd as mountain signal, originating from North Albania.

These kind of cries used by the shepherds in the Albanian mountains to notify each other about the movement of the flocksor by highlanders to call the news of weddings. A very characteristic use of the signals was in connection with fightings, such as against the constant uprisings of the Turks, or family feuds that raged in the northern uplands. In the second world war, these ‘maje krahi’ signals were used in the battles against the Germans and Italians.

In this ‘maje krahi’ is shouted: “Now the fighting has reached Rugov and is spreading towards Pejë I” The echoing of the news trough the mountains was much faster than a telegram.

‘Maje krahi’ implies “above the arms”: when crying this kind of signal, the performer puts his head back, closes one ear with a forefinger, and projects the voice over the raised elbow. According to A. L. LLoyd, these cries reflect back to the very beginning of melody, both functional as formal.