Kângë majekrahi

[4][3][2] This type of singing is already documented in the region about 2000 years ago, being first heard by the Romans when they entered Shkodra in Illyria.

Swedish traditional herding-cries known as locklåtar or 'valley music' are probably close related to the Albanian mountain cries, although they have not the wild force of the kengë malsorqe, which go back right at the beginnings of melody.

[6] The singing is carried out with a high pitched cry or shriek usually standing on top of a mountain to communicate a message, such as the death of a family members, to warn other tribes of enemies entering the valley, or to carry news of a forthcoming wedding party.

[7][2] The Rugova highlanders have a tradition of epic verse singing involving a loud cry before leaving for war.

Highland songs are sung loudly with a free rhythm, ornaments, interjections and exclamations and other interpretative phenomena.