[3] Worshiped in northern Albania until recent times, the weather and storm god was believed to cause hailstorms and throw thunder and lightning.
[4] Shurdhi is thought to have been an ancient Illyrian theonym, equivalent and partly cognate of Thracian Zibelthiurdos.
[5] The name Shurdhi appears to be connected with the Albanian term i shurdhët meaning "the deaf one",[6] however, this link seems to be only a coincidence, since the name Shurdh is more likely a compound of *seuro, "water" (cf.
[7] A relation between the name Shurdh and the second part of the theonym Zibelsurdus found in ancient Thracian epigraphic monuments has been suggested.
He can be greeted and turned away with noise from metallic objects and gunshots,[6][8] according to the Albanian apotropaic ritual practiced in order to seek the protection of the fire deity from big storms with torrential rains, lightning and hail, which often cause great damage to agriculture, livestock, and to the rural economy in general.