Nebija Qotaj first sat behind a loom at the age of 10, under the instruction of her mother and grandmother. Now aged 62 and a grandmother herself, she owns her own successful Albanian rug weaving cooperative and her passion for the craft is infectious. If you’re joining us in Albania, you’ll have a chance to meet Nebija at her workshop on Lake Shkodra. Albania’s rich weaving traditions stem from the Ottoman empire. For centuries, Balkan rugs, known as ‘kilims’, have been traditionally given as a dowry (a ‘paja’) and some families still do this today. The designs and motifs used differ between Balkan countries and in Albania, you'll typically see rugs with Islamic and tribal motifs on them. All of the magic happens beneath her family home in the village of Zogaj, a sleepy fishing village trapped in time where men fish and women weave. Sadly, the practice is dying out as the younger generations move away to study and work in bigger towns and cities - including Nebija’s kids. Related: The best things to do in Shkodër, Albania Albania: 7 things to see and do with kids Inside our traditional Theth village homestay on the Valbona Pass During the communist regime in Albania, weaving was revived in this area in an effort to improve women’s quality of life and deter them from crossing the border into Montenegro (which is within walking distance of Nebija’s village). A factory was built and this is where Nebija worked until it was destroyed during the collapse of communism in the 1990s. That’s when Nebija and a few others decided to carry on weaving and set up at home. Many questioned why she bothered to continue weaving rugs at first, but it’s all she’s ever known and it’s a custom she isn’t willing to
Nebija Qotaj first sat behind a loom at the age of 10, under the instruction of her mother and grandmother. Now aged 62 and a grandmother herself, she owns her own successful Albanian rug weaving cooperative and her passion for the craft is infectious. If you’re joining us in Albania, you’ll have a chance to
