Illyrian paganism is the popular belief system of the Illyrians before the arrival of the Abrahamic religions (Christianity and Islam) in the region. The Illyrians practiced a form of polytheistic theism, worshipping various deities associated with nature and daily life. An important part of this paganism included the cult of the sun, moon, serpent, and stars. Goddesses representing nature and fertility, as well as those associated with war and protection, are also part of this tradition.

With the advent of Christianity, many of the pagan beliefs were gradually replaced by new religious doctrines. Illyrian paganism continued to develop even after the penetration of Christian elements into medieval Albanian society. Over time, it was replaced by Christianity and forgotten during the Christianization of Albanian lands.

The same situation continued even after the Islamization of Albanians. Modern scholars have managed to reconstruct some aspects of Illyrian paganism with data from folklore, historical linguistics, archaeology, toponymy, and data collected from other Balkan peoples.

Summary

Illyrian paganism and later Arbër paganism was transmitted through oral culture rather than through codified texts. The old Illyrian religion was more focused on ritual practice, with kings and chieftains playing a central role in performing public acts of sacrifice. At that time, various cult spaces and locations were used; initially, outdoor spaces such as groves, rivers, and lakes were typically selected.

Albanian paganism inherited the genre of the Indo-European epic narrative about ancient warriors (Kângët Kreshnike), a tradition shared with ancient Greece, classical India, early medieval England, medieval Germany, and the southern Slavs. Albanian folk beliefs also preserved the typical Indo-European tradition of deities located in the highest and most inaccessible mountains (Mount Tomor),deities of the sky, lightning, weather, and fire. Zojzi, Perëndi, Shurdhi, Verbti, Enji, Votra, Nëna e Votraës), the legend “Vajza e Diellit dhe e Hënës” (Daughter of the Sun and the Moon) (E Bija e Mënës dhe e Diellit), “myths of the snake-killing” and “fire in the water” (Drangoi and Kulshedra), the goddesses of Fate and Destiny (Zana, Ora, Fati, Mira) the divine Twins (Muji and Halili),and the guardian of the gates of the underworld (the three-headed dog that never sleeps).

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