Ancient Tradition of Swapping Genders (in Albania)

A very interesting but vanishing tradition is disappearing from Albanian culture:

For centuries, in the closed-off society of rural northern Albania, swapping genders was considered a practical solution for a family with a shortage of men. By taking an oath of virginity, women could take on the role of men as head of the family, carry a weapon, own property and move freely.

They dressed like men and spent their lives in the company of other men, even though most kept their female given names. They were not ridiculed but accepted in public life, even adulated.

Taking an oath to become a sworn virgin should not, sociologists say, be equated with homosexuality, long taboo in rural Albania. Nor do the women have sex-change operations.

You can read the whole article here @ AJC.com. The article's original source was The New York Times News Service.