I Verbti

DemonAlbania · Southern EuropeLegendFear 8/10

Description

A demon from the folklore of Albania. I Verbti (Albanian: [i ˈveɾbti]) is an Albanian adjectival noun meaning "the blind one", which was…

The Legend

I Verbti is considered the god of fire and wind in the folk beliefs of northern Albania, known as the god of fire and wind in the Zadrima region, and as the god of thunder in Dukagjin and Malësia e Vogël. In Shala, the thunder god is called Rmoria. These beliefs have survived in northern Albania until recently. In Zadrima, it was believed that I Verbti could fan the flames of fire and move water by controlling the wind. As the god of fire, I Verbti is an enemy of impurity and is said to punish those who speak dirty words.

Variants

I Verbti was used to refer to the god of fire and wind in the Zadrima region, while Shën Verbti was used to refer to the god of thunder in Dukagjin and Malësia e Vogël. In Shala, he is called Rmoria and shares similar characteristics with the thunder god Shurdh.

In Popular Culture

I Verbti was demonized after the Christianization and considered a false god, but in folk beliefs, he was regarded as a more powerful being than the Christian god. There was a legend that those who prayed to I Verbti would be blinded by fire, but in folk tales, those who prayed to I Verbti often survived.

This article is based on the Wikipedia article "I Verbti" (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Wikipedia