Albanian folk isopolyphonic singing

Artists of Albanian folk songs at the festival in Girokastra , 1988

Albanian folk isopolyphonic singing is a part of Albanian folk music , which was included in the list of intangible cultural heritage of UNESCO in 2005 ^[1] .

In style, isopolyphonic singing can be divided into two groups: one includes the music performed by the geks of Northern Albania, the other by angst and labs who live in the south of the country. The term “from” goes back to the name Yon , which is associated with the Byzantine tradition of church music , and refers to polyphonic singing , accompanied by humming. This music, usually performed by men, traditionally accompanies weddings, funerals, a harvest festival, religious holidays and festivals. Isopolyphonic singing is most common in four places in Albania - Mizek, Toshkori, Chameri and Laberya. Similar forms of polyphonic singing are also found in Peshkopii , in the Albanian communities of Kachanik in Kosovo, in Pologa , Tetovo , Kichevo and Gostivar in Macedonia , as well as in the region of Malesia-e-Madi in northern Albani and southern Montenegro ^[2] . In Laberia, for example, polyphonic songs may consist of two, three or four parts. Two parts of the song are performed only by women. The third part of the song can be performed together by men and women. The song of the four parts is a unique feature of the polyphonic performance in Laberia. Studies have shown that four-part songs are the most complex form of polyphonic singing ^[3] .

The development of cultural tourism and the growing interest of researchers in this unique folk tradition have contributed to the recent revival of Albanian isopolyphony. Along with this, the massive outflow of rural youth of Albania to the cities and abroad poses a threat to the transfer of a great many songs and musical techniques. In this regard, professional artists of Albania are currently paying great attention to folk music. The national folklore festival in Girokastra , which has been held every five years since 1968, usually includes in its program performing polyphonic songs ^[4] .