I found the article, "Sexuality and Gender in Certain Native American Tribes: The Case of Cross-Gender Females" to be full of new and very intriguing information. Much of the information we have discussed in classed presents individuals who are inter-sex as outcasts and not perceived as being "normal"; however, this article went so far as to research tribes that embrace the idea of a bisexual lifestyle. The cross-gender individuals in these tribes acted, sat, dressed, talked like, and did the work of the other sex and were referred to as the berdache, or half male and half female. In many instances, these berdache in fact assumed the complete social role of the other sex. For example, if a family produced only four daughters and was in need a male, one of the daughters was selected to become a male. She acted as a male in a society and developed a relationship with a female; however, acted a husband, but no children were produced within their relationship. She was now accepted in the society as a he and special ceremonies were held to signify this change of gender within the community.
One unique aspect of these tribes that has not been present on previous class readings or discussions, which I found incredibly interesting was the idea of gender equality. I believe that it is this basis that enabled bisexual relationship and inter-sex individuals to be embraced throughout the community. Because there was no system of hierarchy between the work expected from men and women and tribal women owned and distributed the articles they produced and had an equal voice in matters affecting kin and the community, there was not a stronger desire to be male in the community. Also, certain tasks were allotted to males as certain tasks were allotted to females, but because neither set of tasks was valued more highly that the other, neither sex was predominated. Another unique feature of these tribes was that both women and men could obtain divorce, which again made them equals on a relationship level and made sexuality not restricted by the institution of marriage.
One question that was brought up in class that I found really striking was are these Native American tribes in fact more civilized than western society. In our society today we are unable to accept inter-sex as being normal and the relationship between a man and woman and not seen as being equal in all instances. Also, the idea of a bisexual relationship in not considered the norm. These Native Americans made have lived on the plains and in the wilderness, but in terms of openness and society were they in fact more civilized and advanced than we are today? Did they truly have a grasp on understanding what it means to be "normal" and accepting and embracing a much broader range of "normalcy"? They may have been a more primitive society, but were they in fact a more open and advanced society all the while?
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2 comments:
Just wanted to clarify some things
Berdache are not cross-gender females, which is the focus of the article, and the term is considered derogatory.
Isn't it interesting what gender equality made possible in these societies?
I like your inquiry into whether or not Native Americans tribes were more or less civilized than western society. I think in analyzing this question it is important to define usage of the words civilized and primitive. I do not think, as you suggest, that living in the wilderness provides any indication either way on whether or not the Native Americans were civilized. People living on the plains and people living in cities can be equally civilized, the degree of civility is not at all related to the nature of our environment. It may certainly be argued that they lived more primitive lives in that they subsisted through hunting and gathering similar to our early ancestors. As you have used it, primitive simply means an older form (which is how it should be used). It is a common misconception to think that primitive means worse, but the truth is that primitive ways of doing things are still as valuable as advanced ways. Likewise, advanced does not imply progress or "better than before."
Ultimately, I think this article provides strong evidence for the argument that Native Americans were more civilized than modern westerners. And by this, I mean they were more understanding, respectful, and accepting of individuals within their society.
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