A remote Brazilian village of 600 people has appealed for newcomers to swell its ranks, with one proviso: they must be men. The women of Noiva do Cordeiro want husbands – though, intriguingly for a deeply religious society, not necessarily in the legal sense.
Men are scarce in the picturesque village in southeast Brazil, reports the Daily Telegraph. Many have left to find work in the cities, leaving the women behind. Others commute each week.
What's more, says the paper breathlessly, the women of Noiva de Cordeiro are "known throughout Brazil for their beauty". One resident, 23-year-old Nelma Fernandes, whose level of beauty is not recorded, explained: "Here, the only men we single girls meet are either married or related to us; everyone is a cousin."
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"I haven't kissed a man for a long time," she lamented. "We all dream of falling in love and getting married. But we like living here and don't want to have to leave the town to find a husband."
But there is more behind the gender imbalance than pure economic necessity. The town, whose name means Bride of the Lamb (ie Christ), was founded in 1891 by a woman, Maria Senhorinha de Lima, after she was branded an adultress and exiled from her home and church.
Senhorinha de Lima's granddaughter still lives in the valley and Noiva do Cordeiro is still run by women, who are not ready to give up that control.
Fernandes cautioned: "We'd like to get to know men who would leave their own lives and come to be a part of ours. But first they need to agree to do what we say and live according to our rules."
Another resident, 49-year-old Rosalee Fernandes, said: "We have God in our hearts. But we don't think we need to go to church, get married in front of a priest or baptise our children. These are rules made up by men."
She added: "There are lots of things that women do better than men. Our town is prettier, more organised, and far more harmonious than if men were in charge.
"When problems or disputes arise, we resolve them in a woman's way, trying to find consensus rather than conflict."
-
October 13 editorial cartoonsCartoons Monday's political cartoons include Donald Trump's consolation prize, government workers during shutdown, and more
-
Can Gaza momentum help end the war in Ukraine?Today's Big Question Zelenskyy’s request for long-range Tomahawk missiles hints at ‘warming relations’ between Ukraine and US
-
The Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners being releasedThe Explainer Triumphant Donald Trump addresses the Israeli parliament as families on both sides of the Gaza war reunite with their loved ones
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of TaiwanIn the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdownIN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
-
Brazilian ‘bandit bill’ prompts mass protests over potential Bolsonaro pardonIN THE SPOTLIGHT Efforts to evade consequences for an attempted coup and civic unrest have pushed thousands into the streets
-
Passing sentence in Brazil: the jailing of Jair BolsonaroIn the Spotlight In convicting Brazil’s former president, its Supreme Court has sent a powerful message about democratic accountability – but the victory may be only temporary
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American citiesUnder the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctionsThe Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
-
What happens if tensions between India and Pakistan boil over?TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the two nuclear-armed neighbors rattle their sabers in the wake of a terrorist attack on the contested Kashmir region, experts worry that the worst might be yet to come
