The sworn virgins of Albania: women that live as men

In northern Albania, there is an old custom that allows women to live as men. It requires great sacrifice: they must take a vow of lifelong celibacy. In return, they are granted all the rights of a man. If you want to learn more about these amazing women, keep on reading the article!


In northern Albania, which is largely Islamic region, if the men in a family have all perished due to war or famine, it is a socially acceptable option for a woman in the family to present in society and live as a man. So to be without a man in the family is incredibly disadvantageous.


Some women took the oath so they could provide for their families, other women took it to be free.




What do you think about this tradition? Share your thoughts in the comments below!


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#Geography #Culture #History #Society #female #knowledge

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What are your thoughts on this subject?
14 Comments
Talea Hoor
Keti Chubinidze, this has nothing to do with Islam. there might be other influences but definitely not the religion
0
Sep 25, 2022 7:48AM
carole winslow
No one should have to live a life that is not true to who they are just to provide basics for themselves or their family.
3
Feb 2, 2022 6:19PM
lmoores
The things women have had to do just to get on in life.
4
Nov 6, 2021 8:02PM
Julie Domaille
I read a story of a woman who lived as a man in North America. No-one even suspected and she became the sheriff and later the mayor of a backwater town. They were gobsmacked when she died (natural causes) the housekeeper thought it would be nice to put her in a clean shirt before burial. But it wasn't religious or even cultural, she just knew a young woman travelling alone in the wild west has no chance so donned men's clothes, cut her hair and kept her head down until.... I would think it happens plenty
1
Aug 29, 2021 4:52PM
Keti Chubinidze
I read a beautiful novel about it “The Pearl that broke its shell”, but the story is in Afghanistan, apparently it is common in Muslim culture.
2
Aug 11, 2020 11:04AM
mholifield
Their traditional ways are how they are raised. They do what is best for them. Women don't have the freedoms American women have
2
Aug 10, 2020 1:13AM
andrew anna
Everyone has their right to choose. That is what they wanted so let it be.
3
Aug 9, 2020 4:43PM
David Colloby
LBGT We were here first!
0
Aug 9, 2020 1:03AM
Cheryl Cox
They were butch Women who today we call Lesbians, in those days there was no such name, im guessing
3
Aug 8, 2020 11:13PM
Jim Galati
I think it's just women who are lesbians, and prefer to live a masculine life style anyway...no big deal..
1
Aug 8, 2020 7:51PM
Darla Deats
think it's ridiculous!
1
Aug 8, 2020 5:58PM
Darla Deats
Why can't they leave the atea? I think isdicu
1
Aug 8, 2020 5:57PM
Denise Bruce
Another example of convoluted religious clap trap!
2
Aug 8, 2020 5:02PM
Luis Perez
Very interesting information that I am sure is ignored by most people who do not live in that part of the world.
1
Aug 8, 2020 4:58PM

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