Familienpolitik

In Albania there is a code of conduct called the Kanun of Leke Dukagjini that has been passed on orally for more than 500 years. This code of conduct has traditionally put a woman’s value at half that of a man’s and limited her role to taking care of children and the home. But when a family had no male heir, the code allowed for women to take an oath of virginity and become men.

This fascinating New York Times article looks at this dying practice of women who become heads of their families by swearing off sex, cutting off their hair and taking on a male swagger. As gender roles become more equal and the violence that led to a shortage of men subsides, the number of sworn virgins is shrinking.

The article also includes a slide show with photographs of two of the last Albanian sworn virgins.

Tags: Albania, gender, virginity