My work focuses on issues of identity as it relates to the performativity of the multiple selves. I discovered Judith Butler's book: Gender Trouble and her introduction and argument for gender being something performed and constructed by society and not something innate to be quite compelling and interesting. If gender is indeed performative, what other social implications (race, class, etc.) may also be performative. For example, can Blackness be performative? It is important to differentiate between performance and performativity, which Butler explicitly elaborates on in her book. (I've included a link for further elaboration.)
Upon pondering this question, I began my own research. Many suggest that this liminal state between male and female is coined transvetism. Richard Totman's book: The third sex: Kathoey: ladyboys, refers to those individuals who choose not to label themselves as male or female. Transvestism has in fact exhibited what Butler would state as the performative qualities of femininity. Some may argue that this is not a strong argument for gender not being a set of innate characteristics which automatically deem a person as masculine or feminine.
As I continued my research I was astonished to discover a group that Butler failed to include in her theory (I think I'll email her), which would add even more a compelling argument to her theory. In Samoan culture there is a group called: fa'afafines. (I've included a link.) Fa'afafines are male born children who are often chosen by their family to perform the more domestic (which of course, equates to duties for the woman) chores of the household. Heather Croall's documentary: Paradise Ben boys will be girls in Samoa: Gender Diversity in Samoa illustrates the origins and modern day veiws of fa'afafines. Unlike transvestism, fa'afaines are accepted in society as being third sex: neither male nor female. The documentary illustrated that there is no gay/queer culture in Samoa. That fa'afafines only have sex with men and that straight men are not considered gay for sleeping with a fa'afafines because they are in fact respected as women in the culture. It's a very interesting documentary. Check it out if you get some time.
Well, I give that lengthy background of information because I've noticed several men who dress like women (I'm not sure if the India culture considers them to be transvestites or something else. Shalaka, what is the name in India culture that you previously told me?) Had I not spent so much time researching the third sex, I do not believe that I would have notice them as anything other than women. The first time that I saw a person of the third sex, they were on the streets asking for money. Actually, everytime that I've notice them, they've been on the street asking for money. I asked our driver Ravi, if they were men or women in an effort to try and distinguish how they're viewed in Indian culture. He shook his head and said: no, they men. I believe Shalaka (correct me if I'm wrong Shalaka. FYI Shalaka is Indian) told me that they are not accepted in society, however, at times they are asked to bless children for they are believed to have special gifts. I'm still looking into this, however, I do believe I read something of this in Totman's book.
How much exists around us that we fail to notice or consider because we are oblivious to it? One has to wonder...
2 comments:
I remember seeing a documentary like this on HBO or something. It is really interesting. I remember learning about the fa afanines. In addition, I believe that this culture exists in Hawaii also. Although accepted, what about how the boys who have this lifestyle chosen for them? What if they don't want this for themselves? What if they want a normallife with a family and such. It is imposed on them just the same as arranged marriages.
The boys are able to decline being fa'afafines if they do not want to. However, originally it was an hour to be "chosen" to help your familiy in that way. An older fa'afafine who dis-agress with dressing and behaving like a woman, views it as an honor from God to be chosen to help your family. Modern day fa'afafines have embraced it as being "like" a woman, however, not every fa'afafine assumes the identity of woman.
So, yes, the young boys can and do decline to become fa'afafines.
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