Evaluating the Balkan Female Fieldwork Over Time: The Case of Albania

Abstract

Unique in its diversity, the Balkan region can be considered as an attractive destination for a variety of researchers. Presented in a form of a chronological analysis, this study focuses on the work of four female researchers who conducted fieldwork in Albania at the beginning of the 20^th century, during communism, and shortly after communism during the transitional period, in order to capture the evolution of the female fieldwork in the Balkans over time. Since the fieldwork methodology stresses family, household and patriarchy, this study can contribute to the conceptualization of the political culture within the Balkan society.

Keywords: Albania, Balkans, ethnography, fieldwork, orientalism, balkanism.