Sworn Virgins
Traditional Albanian society was not exactly pro-women's rights. Women were expected to marry and produce children, and that's about it. They were forbidden to partake in any "male" activities, such as smoking or wearing a watch.But there was another option. A woman could choose to become a "sworn virgin," in which case she would become a man in the eyes of Albanian society, allowed to do all the things that men do (including being able to inherit property). The big drawback was no sex or marriage for the rest of their life. The punishment for breaking the vow was death.
SFGate has an interview with one of the last "sworn virgins" in Albania. There's fewer than a hundred remaining. A 2007 Washington Post article also has a video interview with a sworn virgin.
Comments
Listed in chronological order. Newest comments at the end.
Listed in chronological order. Newest comments at the end.
I know quite a few people, male and female, who would have benefited society if they would have been sworn virgins. Unfortunately their genes are happily swimming around in the deep end of the gene pool.
Posted by Madd Maxx beyond Superdome on 10/06 at 09:30 AM
The New York Times had an interesting feature on these Albanian "honorary men" a few months ago. It said the institution is dying out, due to expanded opportunities for women. However, those who are still alive are in many cases considered the "patriarchs" (that's the word the Times used) of their extended families.
Posted by Big Gary in Santa Gertrudis, Texas on 10/06 at 09:45 AM
NOW you come up with this story! We had a flock of Albanians painting our house last week but they're all gone now!
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 10/06 at 10:04 AM
hummmm.....let's see another thing that's already been covered on TV. I saw this in the first season of NGC's Taboo. They did a whole thing on gender-bending, including getting a "whackitoff"-omy. It was an interesting show to say the least.
Posted by Rhiannon in alifornia on 10/06 at 01:38 PM
Wearing a watch is a male activity?
Posted by KW in Dallas, TX on 10/06 at 02:26 PM
KW -- you don't want mere women knowing when they're going to die, do you?
Posted by BikerPuppy on 10/06 at 04:20 PM
Well since smoking is prohibited for women too, maybe it is so they can't count the time away waiting for their husbands to die.
Posted by Madd Maxx beyond Superdome on 10/06 at 05:38 PM
I have known a few sworn virgins. Of course, it wasn't their choice to be the virgin.
Posted by rick in nebraska on 10/07 at 07:10 AM
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Category: Gender, Gender-bending