Albania's dying tradition: burrnesha

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.

Gjystina Grishaj: "I was only 23 when my father died. There were six children in our family, a very poor family. My sister was already married. To help my mother and my family, I decided to become a sworn virgin.

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.

Gjystina Grishaj: "I hate cooking. I'd rather carry stones on my back all day, work the land, split logs. That's my job. I don't know anything about 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.

Afërdita Onuzi: "The decision to be a "burrnesha" (sworn virgin) has nothing to do with sexuality. It's simply a question of a different status in society, in a certain historical and cultural period."

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.

Gjystina Grishaj: "After all the sacrifices, it's my solitude that really weighs on me. They've all gone. There were a lot of us living in this big house, which has now been plunged into silence. I'm overwhelmed with grief, alone in this empty house." View Less