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LEVEL B1+

Shadowing the newsreader

Listen to the newsreader read out each line and then practise saying it. Record your own voice line by line and submit your voiceover.

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Since her father died, Gjystina Grishaj has chosen to live most of her adult life as a 'burrnesha', or a 'sworn virgin'.

This ancient tradition in Albania meant women could live as men, so they were able to look after their families.

This is a society where men are generally seen as more important.

So becoming a 'burrnesha' allows women to do physical jobs such as chopping wood and caring for farm animals.

It means women can be responsible for important family issues too.

And for Gjystina, or 'Duni' as she's called by locals, she's also avoided a life of cooking.

Duni had to give up the chance of finding love and having children, but she also avoided an arranged marriage at a young age.

Instead, she mixed with men in the bar, with her short hair and long trousers.

Expert Afërdita Onuzi says that this custom isn't a sexual issue.

Albanian society has opened up after years of communism and the burrnesha tradition is slowly dying out.

Duni and other similar women used to feel respected.

However, now her brothers and sisters have moved far away, in search of better opportunities.

Duni's been left alone in a large, quiet house.

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