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Albania - Lepurush Village - Selam Brahim with a portrait of her younger self
Selman Brahim has been living as a man for 40 years after the family's eldest son died. In the Albanian tradition of the Avowed Virgin ('Virgjineshe' or 'Sworn Virgins'), authorised by the Kanun of Lek (an ancient system of laws) she/he now leads the family as a man. She is seen here with a picture of her as a younger person. Lepurush Village near Skhoder, Northern Albania
Photo ID: SFE_970201_0037
©Stuart Freedman
Photo keywords: Albania, ancient, avowed, Balkan, Besa, Canon of Lek, custom, female, gender, High Albania, lesbian, peasant, photograph, picture, pledge, portrait, sex, sworn virgin, tradition, virgins, Virgjineshe, woman