The Code of Lekë Dukagjini
Kanuni i Lekë Dukagjinit
About The Code of Lekë Dukagjini
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.'
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.
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.'
High Albania (1909)