Balkan Sworn Virgins

Also called Burrnesha in Albanian: Balkan sworn virgins are women who take a vow of celibacy and live as men in patriarchal societies in Kosovo, Montenegro, and northern Albania. The tradition has roots in the 15^th-century Kanun, an ancient constitution that organized Albanian society. Sworn virgins may be assigned female at birth or forced by their parents to take the vow. They may cross-dress in men’s clothing, behave like men, take on men’s roles, and participate in public life. Today few take vows to become sworn virgins.