They may look like elderly, weathered men but these hauntingly beautiful photos actually depict a centuries-old minority of women, who exist in isolated regions of northern rural Albania and who live and act like men. Burrneshas, also known as Sworn Virgins, cut their hair, don male clothing and adopt all the chores and responsibilities of the typical male head of the family. Unlike other women, they are permitted to drink, smoke, carry a gun and socialize with other men. The tradition dates all the way back to a 15th Century tribal code, whereby battle-torn families who had lost their last remaining male heir could put forward their oldest daughter to take on the Patriarchal duties instead.
Posted on: Wed, 12 Mar 2014 11:15:37 +0000
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