|
What is a sworn virgin in Albania?
Rating:
Quality: (Quality: Unrated)
In rural Northern Albania, there is an unusual custom. Girls or
women may essentially change their gender to that of a male by
taking an oath to become a "sworn virgin." Basically, the girl or
woman promises to never marry, never bear children, and to remain
celibate. She then crops her hair and dresses as a man, adopts
the mannerisms of a man, performs men's labor, and is accorded
the status and respect deemed worthy of a male.
---
Why do girls do this?
The custom, which is hundreds of years old and still around, is
thought by scholars to be a response to a shortage of young men
to head families. Many young men in the region are lost to
conflict, including "blood feuds" between family groups. Often, a
"sworn virgin" takes on the masculine role as a child or teenager
in order to provide a family with someone who can inherit the
family's land (women are not permitted to inherit land or head a
household, but a "sworn virgin" may do both). In other cases, a
girl or woman chooses to become a "sworn virgin" to avoid an
unwanted marriage (marriages are arranged). It's not a bad deal,
as women in the region are regarded as lesser then men and play a
subservient role in the family. Once a woman takes the oath, she
really is regarded by the village as a male and may do many
things a woman cannot, including socialize with other men in a
room women are not permitted to enter (except to serve food). In
fact, in some cases, the village forgets her true gender.
---
Can the "sworn virgin" change her mind and become female again?
Not really. There have been cases of "sworn virgins" breaking the
oath and even marrying, but it's a risky proposition. The oath is
taken seriously and to break it brings shame onto the entire
family group. Breaking the oath could even initiate a "blood
feud" and place the "sworn virgin" and male members of her family
at risk of being killed. This may happen in cases where the
"sworn virgin" breaks her oath to marry. Her previous, (rejected)
fiancée (and his entire family) is thus dishonored and is
obligated to avenge the dishonor.
For more information about Albanian "sworn virgins" (as well as a
fascinating read!), get a copy of Antonia Young's "Women Who
Become Men: Albanian Sworn Virgins," published by Berg, an
imprint of Oxford International Publishers Ltd., in 2000.
Submitted by 17
Print this forward
Rate this forward:
Bored.com
- Tons of fun stuff to do when you are bored.
MakeWebsites.com
- Free tools for creating your own website.
LifeBets.com
- Win a $100 prize by correctly predicting real life events.
Free Stuff For
Teens - Teen Freebies: video games, cd's, magazines, contests,
beauty products, posters, and more. Only lists free offers that
don't have minimum age requirements.
SearchCactus.com
- A search engine where you get money for each search that you do.
Must be at least 13 years old and a U.S. resident.
Adoptme.com
- Adopt a virtual pet.
Digitalfilms.com
- Make your own movie online for free
CheapFlowers.com
- Buy flowers online for $29.95 with no extra delivery charge or
other fees.
|
|
