The sworn virgins of Albania

March 12, 2014 3:20 PM

It began hundreds of years ago, deep in the Albanian Alps—an unusual tradition where women, with limited options in life, took the oath of the burrnesha. A pledge to live as a man. To dress like a man, to work like a man, to assume the burdens and the liberties of a man. But these freedoms came with a price: The burrneshas also made a pledge of lifelong celibacy. Today these sworn virgins live on, but their numbers have dwindled. Many Albanians don't even know they exist. What happens when the society that created you no longer needs you? And how do you live in the meantime?

Short video.

posted by mudpuppie (3 comments total)

Previously. Previouslier.
posted by (Arsenio) Hall and (Warren) Oates at 3:22 PM on March 12, 2014

Triple.
posted by infini at 3:28 PM on March 12, 2014

Huh.
posted by mudpuppie at 3:32 PM on March 12, 2014