Final Exam Neither man nor women
Question # 1
Hijras are a group of Northern Indian people that dress, look and act like women. They may or may not be born with or have male genitals, some are hermaphrodite (born with both gender sex organs). Their male sex organs do not work for the purpose of reproduction, and because of this it makes them unable to perform sexually with women. One of the interesting practices of the Hijras is the emasculation surgery that some of them go through. This is the process of having their male genitals removed, a ceremony performed, however illegal. By having their male body parts removed the Hijras make up the perceived 3rd gender which is neither man nor women (Mckee, 2016). This, what westerners would view …show more content…
There is no caste system within these homes, you can be an untouchable (the lowest social hierarchy) to lower middle class, and these social classifications are no longer relevant within the Hijra culture. However, seniority is a strict guide within the communities, Hijras always have a guru, an older sponsor who is responsible for the new recruit they pay and are indebted to their guru and cannot leave them unless, a payment is made and they have found another guru to claim them. Although not all Hijra reaches guru status, that comes with initiative, assertiveness and ability to exploit the labor of others. (pg122) Each person or Chelas (students) within the house contributes financially and also help with household duties. (pg. 41-43). The relationship between the guru and chelas mimics that between mother and son, and because the Hijras leave their families these communities act as surrogate families. (pg. 47) The gurus are responsible for seeking, and arranging the ceremonies for which the Hijras preform. For this is their main source of acceptable employment, unlike the job that most partake in as a homosexual prostitute, but is not acknowledged? Another advantage in joining the Hijra community is the security it provides in illness, old age (pg. 48), …show more content…
Mostly in part because of the shared food gathering responsibilities and practices. Women are recognized as a primary economic provider for the family and village. Men depend on them for this task and do not dictate their wants and wishes. Women’s roles are outlined as the main child reared and men are revered for their hunting abilities as well as being strong and virile. (Nisa pg. 213) Within the Kung there is no talk or explanation of a 3rd gender like there is in India, they would follow the binary notion of only two genders. However these roles change and evolve and take on different characteristics when the Kung reach an age they consider old. For women that age would be defined when she is no longer able to get pregnant, menopause (Nisa pg. 303). Widowhood is a role that the majority of the women face, only 10% live past 60 and most of those end up widow caused by the age difference between married men and women (Nisa pg. 290). This is the age that some women take up the positions or roles of the village curer and participate in trancing, since now they are able to touch the herbs considered toxic to fertile men and women. This elder role has also evolved into older men and women becoming the village historians and storyteller. Another role and the most difficult for the older Kungs is one of dependence. They are no longer able to hunt and gather, so they must rely on the generosity of their family or
Question # 1
Hijras are a group of Northern Indian people that dress, look and act like women. They may or may not be born with or have male genitals, some are hermaphrodite (born with both gender sex organs). Their male sex organs do not work for the purpose of reproduction, and because of this it makes them unable to perform sexually with women. One of the interesting practices of the Hijras is the emasculation surgery that some of them go through. This is the process of having their male genitals removed, a ceremony performed, however illegal. By having their male body parts removed the Hijras make up the perceived 3rd gender which is neither man nor women (Mckee, 2016). This, what westerners would view …show more content…
There is no caste system within these homes, you can be an untouchable (the lowest social hierarchy) to lower middle class, and these social classifications are no longer relevant within the Hijra culture. However, seniority is a strict guide within the communities, Hijras always have a guru, an older sponsor who is responsible for the new recruit they pay and are indebted to their guru and cannot leave them unless, a payment is made and they have found another guru to claim them. Although not all Hijra reaches guru status, that comes with initiative, assertiveness and ability to exploit the labor of others. (pg122) Each person or Chelas (students) within the house contributes financially and also help with household duties. (pg. 41-43). The relationship between the guru and chelas mimics that between mother and son, and because the Hijras leave their families these communities act as surrogate families. (pg. 47) The gurus are responsible for seeking, and arranging the ceremonies for which the Hijras preform. For this is their main source of acceptable employment, unlike the job that most partake in as a homosexual prostitute, but is not acknowledged? Another advantage in joining the Hijra community is the security it provides in illness, old age (pg. 48), …show more content…
Mostly in part because of the shared food gathering responsibilities and practices. Women are recognized as a primary economic provider for the family and village. Men depend on them for this task and do not dictate their wants and wishes. Women’s roles are outlined as the main child reared and men are revered for their hunting abilities as well as being strong and virile. (Nisa pg. 213) Within the Kung there is no talk or explanation of a 3rd gender like there is in India, they would follow the binary notion of only two genders. However these roles change and evolve and take on different characteristics when the Kung reach an age they consider old. For women that age would be defined when she is no longer able to get pregnant, menopause (Nisa pg. 303). Widowhood is a role that the majority of the women face, only 10% live past 60 and most of those end up widow caused by the age difference between married men and women (Nisa pg. 290). This is the age that some women take up the positions or roles of the village curer and participate in trancing, since now they are able to touch the herbs considered toxic to fertile men and women. This elder role has also evolved into older men and women becoming the village historians and storyteller. Another role and the most difficult for the older Kungs is one of dependence. They are no longer able to hunt and gather, so they must rely on the generosity of their family or