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| The British explorer Rosita Forbes on the paper of November 19, 1929 |
Aurenc Bebj, France – January 18, 2025
“The Kyogle Examiner” published an exclusive account by the famous British explorer Rosita Forbes on November 19, 1929, detailing her extraordinary encounter with Albanian sworn virgins. Aurenc Bebja, through his blog “Dars (Klos), Mat – Albania,” has brought this remarkable story to Albanian audiences:
Albanian Customs
Fresh from the untamed, primitive tribal hills of Albania, Miss Rosita Forbes, the celebrated explorer, recently found herself immersed in the luxurious contrast of modern London. Adjusting to city life, she reflected on the peculiar experiences she had left behind.
“It feels strange to mingle with the well-dressed and conventional people of London after the remarkable company I’ve just departed,” Miss Forbes shared in an interview. “The strangest people I met in the Balkans were the Albanian sworn virgins. These are women who, according to ancient tribal customs, are betrothed even before birth. When they reach the age of marriage – around 13 or 14 years old – and refuse their preordained husband, they are condemned to lifelong celibacy as punishment.”
“The first of these women I encountered gave me one of the greatest surprises of my life,” Miss Forbes recounted. “As I approached a tribal dwelling in the mountains, I saw what I believed to be a man standing unsteadily on a rock. He was dressed in traditional male attire – a white woolen cap, a white cotton shirt, loose white trousers, and a red sash at the waist. He wore simple sandals, carried a rifle, and had a belt of bullets slung across his chest.
"Suddenly, he threw his head back, opened his mouth, and let out a blood-curdling scream that made the veins and muscles in his neck stand out like iron rods. It was a signal announcing the arrival of guests – a necessary one, I learned. In this land of perpetual blood feuds, gunfire is common, but tribal code dictates that no shot should ever be fired in the presence of a guest or a woman. To my astonishment, my host informed me that the screamer was not a man at all but a woman – one of the Albanian sworn virgins.”
Miss Forbes continued: “I learned that when these betrothed girls reject their assigned husbands, they are immediately ordered to dress and live as men. They eat, drink, and sleep as men do. They are trained to shoot and fight and are expected to partake in blood feuds, even killing if necessary. The only restriction they face is that they are forbidden from engaging in romantic or sexual relationships.”
A Unique Role in Society
“The sense of personal honor among the mountain tribes,” Miss Forbes explained, “is extraordinarily high. Despite their celibacy, a sworn virgin is still regarded as the rightful fiancée of the man to whom she was initially promised. In some ways, they have much to be grateful for. By living as men, they enjoy many privileges and freedoms. Unlike the other women who labor tirelessly, even toiling in the fields, these sworn virgins escape much of the burdensome work.”
Miss Forbes praised the Albanians as ideal hosts, describing one of their traditional greetings: “A guest owns their host’s bread, salt, and heart.” She added, “My host in the mountains slept armed with a knife and a gun by the door of my room. Should a guest be killed, the host is honor-bound to avenge their death by taking five lives – that of the murderer and four members of his tribe.”
She also highlighted their hospitality and admiration for the English, saying, “The Albanians are the kindest and most courteous people. They hold exceptional respect for the English. No one could have done more for me.”
Meeting King Zog
Miss Forbes also shared her impressions of King Zog of Albania. “I met King Zog, a charming man in his thirties who is doing a remarkable job civilizing and modernizing his country,” she said.
This fascinating glimpse into the unique customs of Albania’s sworn virgins and the broader culture of its people underscores the depth of the country’s traditions and the resilience of its mountain tribes. Rosita Forbes’ experiences, though nearly a century old, remain a testament to the richness and complexity of Albania’s cultural heritage.