This is Qamile Stema’s, this person is one of the last ‘Sworn Virgins of Albania’. In traditional Albanian culture, women have been allowed to give up their female identity and instead identify as men, often in order to support their families when their male counterparts have been died. Social identification means they adopt male behavioural norms such as walking and talking me, smoking, drinking Raki and carrying weapons. Some of them also harbour prejudices against modern women, who they say ‘don’t know their place’ (Bilefsky 2008). This is a fascinating isseu to research and it is easy to find out more onlin. There is also a book that I have recommedned about this custom and a film. Click here for more information:
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