mirëfikuarë

Mirëfikuarë is a term that refers to a specific cultural practice found in certain Albanian communities. It denotes a formalized process of social acceptance and integration of an individual, often an orphan or a child from a disadvantaged background, into a new family or community. This is not typically a legal adoption in the modern sense but rather a social arrangement that ensures the well-being and upbringing of the child.

The practice of mirëfikuarë has historical roots and was a way to provide care and support for vulnerable children within a familial or communal structure. The "mirëfikuarë" child would be brought into a household, treated as a member of the family, and receive education and sustenance. The responsibility for the child's welfare was shared by the receiving family and often the wider community.

This tradition played a significant role in maintaining social cohesion and ensuring that no child was left without a support system. While the specific customs and expectations associated with mirëfikuarë could vary between regions and families, the core principle was the provision of care and belonging. In contemporary times, with the prevalence of formal adoption and social welfare systems, the practice has become less common, though its underlying spirit of community responsibility and care for the vulnerable persists in various forms.