“BURRNESHAT” OF MODERN TIMES
The tradition of burrneshea (balkan sworn virgins) in Albania was developed by the Kanun of Lekë Dukagjini and was used mainly in Northern Albania and Kosovo from the 15th to the 20th century. Such were the burrneshat at the time of the implementation of the Kanun of Lekë Dukagjini. Women who because of the patriarchal system have been forced out of their skin.
Illustration: Argjira Kukaj
Last month was World Day Against the Elimination of Violence against Women. This is what I want to talk about today.
We have often heard a woman referred to as a strong woman with the word “burrneshë”. This word should not necessarily be taken as an assessment, which derives from the time of the Kanun of Lekë Dukagjini. So, in the time of the Kanun of Lekë Dukagjini, a woman became a man by taking an irrevocable oath, in front of twelve villages or tribal elders, to practice celibacy. She was then allowed to live like a man and could dress in male clothes, use the male name, carry a gun, smoke, drink alcohol, take up male work, act as the head of a family.
The tradition of burrnesha (balkan sworn virgins) in Albania was developed by the Kanun of Lekë Dukagjini and was used in Northern Albania and Kosovo from the 15th century to the 20th century. Such were the burrneshat at the time of the implementation of the Kanun of Lekë Dukagjini. Women who because of the patriarchal system have been forced out of their skin.
But even today in the 21st century, the patriarchal system still unfortunately dominates. Although today we have many women who are heads of households, are leaders in politics, sports, art and any other field, are leaders in our society and are the same women and girls who are judged and not valued. Today in the 21st century a woman and a girl are judged by the way they dress, judged when she is killed by a man, judged when she goes out with friends in a cafe, judged when she is raped by a man.
We still have cases when the wife is killed by the husband. So far I am writing we have so many cases of murders in Kosovo: in the last 4 years we have 25 murders of women, 4 murders only in 2020. Still girls and women do not inherit from family wealth, women and girls do not have the courage to report violence, girls and women have the highest unemployment rate even though they have higher education than men and boys. Even today these women due to the patriarchal system are forced to get out of their skin.
That is why today I want to address exactly to the ladies of our time. So today we will give a new meaning to the word burrneshë. Today we will become the “burrneshat” who will defeat the patriarchal system that is taking our breath away.
Today, too, be a burrneshë and swear to yourself that you will not submit to the patriarchal system and will not change your life due to social pressure.
Be a burrneshë and tell when someone hits you.
Be a burrneshë and report when they do not give your inheritance and do not give the marital contribution.
Be a burrneshë and report harrasment at work.
Be a burrneshë and report domestic violence, report when you see your sister, friend, colleague, neighbour beaten and psychologically tortured.
Be a burrneshë and fight the injustice done to a girl or a woman. Lower the hand of the one who strikes. Do not be intimidated by their animal-like screams. Raise your voice against the prejudices they make about you. Do not allow others to lead your dreams.
You burrneshë continue to be first in every place where you belong, not where others serve you.
Show your intellectual abilities and virtues.
And you boy, man, say no to violence against women.
About the author: Bleona Kelmendi, 23 years old from Peja
