The Hijras of India

Neither Man nor Woman

Serena Nanda Cheryl Aupperle Karen Ayouch Christie Brower Teresa Gage

Ethnography of India’s 3 rd gender

• Indian culture accommodates gender variations • Neither man nor woman

How did the hijra tradition begin?

• Eunichs blessed by Ram • Power flows from Bahuchara Mata

What is a hijra?

• 3 rd gender – Born hermaphrodite – Impotent male – Emasculated male – Barren female • Spiritual calling

What is their society like?

• Naik • Council • Guru • Chela • Recruits

What spiritual functions do they do?

• Bless babies • Bless weddings • Beg

What do they do for a living?

• Prostituting • Begging • Performing rituals

What is their life like?

• Stages of life follow traditional Indian culture – Student – Householder – Forrest Dweller – Ascetic (elder)

Photograph sources:

• • • • • • http://www.ars-rhetorica.net/Queen/Volume11/Hijras/ http://www.columbia.edu/~blw2102/ http://www.rosenblatt-sf.com/SelPhotos_17_North_India.htm

http://www.kamat.com/kalranga/weddings/2720.htm http://www.thewe.cc/contents/more/archive/aruvani.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eunuch-hijra 10

Break into groups:

1. Females – inside wall 2. Hijra – middle of the room 3. Males – windows