Bejtexhi

A bejtexhi (Albanian pronunciation: [bejted͡ʒi], lit. 'couplet maker',^[1][2] a compound of bejte [from Turkish beyit 'couplet', from Arabic بَيْت bayt] and -xhi [from Turkish -ci, occupational suffix]; plural: bejtexhinj [bejted͡ʒiɲ]) was a popular bard of the Muslim tradition in Ottoman Albania.^[3] The genre of literature created by bejtexhinj in the 18th century prevailed in different cities of what is now Albania, Kosovo, Chameria as well as in religious centers.

The spread of the bejtexhinj was a product of two different significant factors. One factor was a demand in religious practices to write in Albanian and to free it from foreign influence. The other factor was the accretion of ideological pressure from Turkish rulers. The ruling Ottomans sought the submission of Albanians through the Muslim religion and culture. Albania rulers opened their own schools with many bejtexhinj in attendance.