Albanian women took vows of virginity to live as men in patriarchal society. Photo: Marielito (flickr)

In the U.S., cross-dressing is considered an oddity. In Northern Albania, not only is it commonplace, but it's been around for 500 years.

A fascinating article in the International Herald Tribune talks about the unique Albanian custom known as sworn virginity. Pashe Keqi is 78 years old. She has been living like a man — dressing, eating, and interacting on equal terms with other men — since she was 20. Her father was murdered in a blood feud and her brothers killed fighting Albania’s communist regime, so becoming a man was her only way to support her family.

"Back then, it was better to be a man because, before, a woman and an animal were considered the same thing," Keqi says. But being a sworn virgin means she gave up marriage, children, and sex — because traditionally only a man could bring her family security.

As an American woman, it terrifies me that such a ritual could until very recently be necessary for women to play an equal role in society. At the same time, since I live in a country still burdened by homophobia, it's also incredible to read about a society in which women can live as men without stigma.

There's something tragic about the loss of such a rare ritual, even if it shows that Albanian women have made great strides. After the fall of the Communist regime and exposure to the outside world, Albania granted its women increased status and power. They play a role in the economy outside the home. But change has also meant the loss of their native culture and regional identity.

In a society that now allows Internet dating, perhaps it's no surprise that the custom of sworn virginity is fast disappearing.