Hijra - the third gender Read count: 21108 Last update: 2006-02-13
In brief:
The operation, referred to by hijras as a nirvan, or rebirth, involves the severing of the penis and testes with a knife cut performed without anesthesia by a dai (traditional midwife).
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The Hindi word “hijra” (sometimes romansied as hijira or hijda) decribes a third gender in south-east Asia. In the culture of the Indian subcontinent a hijra is a physically male or intersex person who is often considered a member of “the third sex.” Although they are usually referred to in English as “eunuchs”, relatively few have any genital modifications. They usually refer to themselves as female at the language level, and usually dress as women.
Most hijras are born apparently male, but some may be intersex. They are often perceived as a third sex, and most see themselves as neither men nor women. However, some may see themselves (or be seen as) females, feminine males or androgynes. Some, especially those who speak English and are influenced by international discourses around sexual minorities may identify as transgender or transsexual women. Unlike Western transsexual women, hijras generally do not attempt to pass as women. Reportedly, few have genital modifications, although some certainly do, and some consider nirwaan (“castrated”) hijras to be the “true” hijras.
Census data does not exist, but estimates range from 50,000 to 5,000,000 in India alone. Becoming a hijra is a process of socialization into a “hijra family” through a relationship characterised as chela “student” to guru “teacher”, leading to a gradual assumption of femininity.
Stereotypically each guru lives with at least five chelas; her chelas assume her surname and are considered part of her lineage. Chelas are expected to give their income to their guru, who manages the household. Hijra families are close knit communities, which often have their own houses.
The culmination of this process is a religious ritual that includes castration. Although it is expected in the hijra subculture, not all hijras undergo castration, and the percentage of hijras which are eunuchs is unknown. The operation, referred to by hijras as a nirvan, or rebirth, involves the severing of the penis and testes with a knife cut performed without anesthesia by a dai (traditional midwife). In modern times, some hijras may undergo sex reassignment surgery, but such cases are rare.
Most hijras get their income from performing at ceremonies, begging or prostitution. Hijras are often encountered on streets, trains, and other public places demanding money from young men. If refused, the hijra may attempt to embarrass the man into giving money, using obscene gestures, profane language, and even sexual advances. Hijras also perform religious ceremonies at weddings and at the birth of male babies, involving music, singing, and sexually suggestive dancing. These are intended to bring good luck and fertility. Although the hijra are most often uninvited, the host usually pays the hijras a fee. It is believed that the newborn baby will be blessed if exposed to the Hijra’s manhood. Many fear the hijras curse if they are not appeased, bringing bad luck or infertility.
Violence against hijras, especially hijra sex workers, is often brutal, and occurs in public spaces, police stations, prisons, and their homes. As with transgender people in most of the world, they face extreme discrimination in health, housing, education, employment, immigration, law and any bureaucracy that is unable to place them into male or female gender categories. One hijra reports waiting in the emergency room of a hospital for hours while medical staff debated whether to admit her to the men's or women's ward.
Many modern hijras, faced with health concerns and discrimination, have become politically active. For example, the All-India Eunuchs’ Welfare Association was formed in 1993-94, as well as HIV/AIDS awareness groups to combat health problems within their communities. Commonly Hijra-rights groups also support gay rights issues in the Indian subcontinent, but this is a newly-emerging situation. In November of 2000, Asha Devi was elected mayor of Gorakhpur, a post reserved for a woman. The city had a population of approximately 500,000 as of 1991. She was unseated when a court decreed that she was a man, but was later reinstated.
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The Hindi word “hijra” (sometimes romansied as hijira or hijda) decribes a third gender in south-east Asia. In the culture of the Indian subcontinent a hijra is a physically male or intersex person who is often considered a member of “the third sex.” Although they are usually referred to in English as “eunuchs”, relatively few have any genital modifications. They usually refer to themselves as female at the language level, and usually dress as women.
Stereotypically each guru lives with at least five chelas; her chelas assume her surname and are considered part of her lineage. Chelas are expected to give their income to their guru, who manages the household. Hijra families are close knit communities, which often have their own houses.
Most hijras get their income from performing at ceremonies, begging or prostitution. Hijras are often encountered on streets, trains, and other public places demanding money from young men. If refused, the hijra may attempt to embarrass the man into giving money, using obscene gestures, profane language, and even sexual advances. Hijras also perform religious ceremonies at weddings and at the birth of male babies, involving music, singing, and sexually suggestive dancing. These are intended to bring good luck and fertility. Although the hijra are most often uninvited, the host usually pays the hijras a fee. It is believed that the newborn baby will be blessed if exposed to the Hijra’s manhood. Many fear the hijras curse if they are not appeased, bringing bad luck or infertility.
Violence against hijras, especially hijra sex workers, is often brutal, and occurs in public spaces, police stations, prisons, and their homes. As with transgender people in most of the world, they face extreme discrimination in health, housing, education, employment, immigration, law and any bureaucracy that is unable to place them into male or female gender categories. One hijra reports waiting in the emergency room of a hospital for hours while medical staff debated whether to admit her to the men's or women's ward.
