The Code of Lekë Dukagjini

Kanuni i Lekë Dukagjinit

Picture of the book

About The Code of Lekë Dukagjini


Ismail Kadare
Noel Malcom (author of: Kosovo Short History)
Robert W. Sweet, (United States District Judge)
Edith Durham, (High Albania, 1909)


Note about the translator

Leonard Fox has taught linguistics and Sanskrit at New York University after spending several years as a Georgian language specialist in Munich, he now works as an author and literary translator. His translations from Albanian have appeared in Translation and International Poetry Review.

The entire essence of the legal code of the Albanians is an 'unparalleled rigourous respect for this basic principle:nonviolation of the dignity of a man- his honour, home and life.'
Ismail Kadare
Noble Prize winning author


 The 'Kanun' or Code of Lekë Dukagjini is an extraordinary monument of Albanian culture, essential for the understanding of all the northern Albanians lands. This magnificent edition, is an indispensable work for anyone who wishes to explore the history and traditions of the Albanian people.
Noel Malcolm
Author of Kosovo:
A short History, 1998


Certainly the Kanun is an unique document, a codification of practices amounting to law of great historical significance. In addition, it provides the bedrock for the rule of law in Albania even today.
Robert W. Sweet,
United States District Judge


For all their habits, laws and customs, the people, as a rule, have but one explanation: 'It is in the Canon of Lek...' As for the laws ascribed to him, the greater part are obviously far earlier than the 15th century, when he is said to have lived. They probably were obeyed by the unknown warriors of the bronze weapons in the prehistoric graves.'
Edith Durham,
High Albania (1909)


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