Customer Reviews

Women Who Become Men: Albanian Sworn Virgins (Dress, Body, Culture)

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I am a devoted academic researcher on Albanian culture. As an Albanologist having this book in my collection of Albanian studies is a true gem. The Albanians have a very fascinating and complex culture. Albanian culture is one of the most fascinating and complex cultures of all the European cultures.
Despite being one of Europe's least known cultures this book on Albanian sworn virgins gives a fantastic background on just one aspect of Gheg clan culture (North Albanian Culture) that predominates in Northern Albania and Kosovo. Antonia Young delivers valuable cultural insight on elements of the cultural phenomenon of sworn virgins. The tradition of sworn virgins has deep roots in the cultural traditions of the clans living in Northern Albania and Kosovo. The Ghegs are the most numerous of the Albanian population and compose of all North Albanians and Albanians in Kosovo, Montenegro, Macedonia. The Ghegs have a unique culture based on the clan system and extended family. The clan and extended family system is in full gear in the North of Albania and in neighboring Kosovo where on occasion a sworn virgin can be seen clinging on to the traditions that have engulfed this portion of the Balkans since the occupation of the Ottoman Empire and even prior to that. In reading this book not only will one interested in Albanian culture become knwoledgeable of a cutural practice that is little known to the outside world, but will also introduce to you the elements of the culture that comprises the Ghegs (North Albanians).
The most important thing is that the book summarizes and clarifies the cultural traits that unite Kosovars and North Albanians together and how not only linguistically, but culturally and politically North Albania and Kosovo are the same nation!

This is a book rather for those interested in gender studies than in Albania. However, there is plenty of information on some other aspects of Albanian culture unrelated to sworn virgins, such as laws of honor, hospitality and blood feuds. The author describes, how these sworn virgins fit in neatly.

Sworn virgins are biological females who behave like men (but not engaging in sexuality) in a severely patriarchal, gender dichotomous and dogma-loving society, transcending the branches of religion. At least that is the impression I gain from this book.

I read the paperback edition of 2001, which contains 33 monochrome pictures. Including the latter and footnotes, it features some 160 text pages. Originally, the book was published in 2000.

You may also be interested in When Men Are Women: Manhood Among The Gabra Nomads Of East Africa and Male Daughters, Female Husbands: Gender and Sex in an African Society. A brief introduction including a chapter on Albanian sworn virgins can be found in Gender Diversity: Crosscultural Variations.

This book was fascinating for presenting a little seen side of an exotic and interesting custom in Albania. The stories and interviews were amazing and well worth the read for anyone intersted in other cultures. It lacked a little in theoretical backing and proper methodology but a fascinating read nonetheless!