I Verbti

I Verbti (Albanian: [i ˈveɾbti]) is an Albanian adjectival noun meaning "the blind one", which was used in northern Albanian folk beliefs to refer to the god of fire and wind in the Zadrima region, and to the thunderstorm god in Dukagjin and the Malësia e Vogël; in Shala the thunderstorm god was referred to as Rmoria. These beliefs survived in northern Albania until recent times.

In Zadrima it was believed that by controlling the wind I Verbti is able to fan the flames of fire and move water, the opposite element to fire. A reconstructed name of the Albanian fire god is *Enj-i, from which the Albanian word for "Thursday" – e enjte – is considered to be derived. Originally holding a prominent role in the Albanian pantheon, under Christianization the god of fire and wind was demonized and considered a false god, and it was spread about that anyone who invoked him would be blinded by fire. The purifying power of fire underlies the popular idea according to which the god of fire is the enemy of uncleanliness and the opponent of filth.

In Dukagjin, Malësia e Vogël and Shala it was believed that the thunderstorm god Shën Verbti ("the holy blind one") or Rmoria lives in the clouds and travels using storm clouds which announce hailstorms when he arrives. He can be greeted and turned away with noise and gunshots. These beliefs and practices were similar to those associated with the thunderstorm god Shurdh.