The sun sinks down over the mountains, casting shadows onto the valley below.  In the distance a woman walks out, almost hidden by the branches covering the path.  Leaning on her cane, she traverses over to the house.

Pashkë has lived in Bordaj for the past 62 years. She often visits her daughter, Lule’s, family at their house in Shllak.

Pashkë is an 80 year old woman, born in the village of Vukaj. The first time Pashkë wore a xhubleta was for her wedding; her father bought the dress specifically for the ceremony. Pashkë’s wedding lasted for four days, one with her family, and three with her husband’s family and the whole village. She wore the xhubleta for the entire duration of the celebration despite its incredible weight. Pashkë continued to wear her xhubleta for special occasions and visits for two years after she was married. She only stopped wearing it once her children were born. Pashkë still has her xhubleta and refuses to sell it. She has expressed that she wishes to pass it down in her family and her son shares this desire.

“[Her son says] if you want money or anything you need, I’m going to give you, so just do not sell the xhubleta because it has so many memories.”

Her daughter, Lule, also wore a xhubleta for her wedding. Pashkë wanted the best for her daughter, as her father had for her, so she gathered the components of a xhubleta from Malesi e Madhe for Lule.