Këngëtarë

Këngëtarë is the Albanian term for singers. It is the plural form used to refer to people who perform songs in various genres. The masculine singular is këngëtar, the feminine singular is këngëtare, while the plural këngëtarë denotes singers in general. The word derives from këngë, meaning song, and reflects Albanian morphology for agent nouns formed from a noun or verb.

Singers in Albanian-speaking communities work in a range of genres, including traditional folk music, polyphonic singing, and contemporary popular music. Traditional Albanian polyphonic singing is especially associated with southern regions and Albanian communities in neighboring countries; in 2005 UNESCO inscribed traditional Albanian polyphonic singing on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Career paths for këngëtarë vary. Many performers begin in family or community groups, receive formal training through conservatories or music schools, and pursue recording projects, live performances, and media appearances. Singing plays a central role in weddings, religious and secular ceremonies, festivals, and broader cultural events across Albania and the Albanian diaspora, helping to preserve regional styles while enabling cross-cultural exchange.