The melodic formulae in the syllabic-melismatic Byzantine oktòichos (s.c. “in mixed form”) of the Albanians of Sicily

The Albanians (the Arbëreshë) are the largest and the most important ethno-linguistic “minority” in Sicily. The community comprises about 15,000 people distributed in five villages, all of which are located in the province of Palermo. The most important village is Piana degli Albanesi, where their Bishop (called in Greek, Eparca) has is seat. The cultural identity of the Arbëreshë of Sicily is expressed primarily through features of language (the use of the Arbëresh as the main colloquial idiom) and religion (the Sicilian-Albanian Catholic church, in fact, follow the Byzantine rite). For the Liturgies and the Offices (Matins, Vespers, Hours, etc.) both Greek and Arbëresh are used.