Cami Crazier
Although many societies have three
or four gender identities, Sharyn Davies argues that there is fifth gender
among the Bugis people of Indonesia. With the most known gender identities:
male and female, the Bugis people also have the calabai, calalai, and bissu.
The calabai are biologically male people
whom take on the role of a women. In contrast, the calalai are biologically
women whom take on the roles of men, although rarely seen publically. The bissu
take on the roles of both males and females (Bailey 2013). Because many gender
identities exist in the Bugis culture, gender norms, values, identities, and
roles are expressed differently from the aspects of the American culture.
In the Bugis culture, gender is not
based on one’s biological matter. Instead, gender is based on one’s own
choosing in appearance and how they want to be perceived by others. No matter
which gender the individual chooses, each will have a specific role in the
community. For example, the calabai are responsible for the weddings. Sharon
Davies (2010) explains "[t]he calabai will be responsible for many things:
setting up and decorating the tent, arranging the bridal chairs, bridal gown,
costume for the groom, and the entire wedding party." A bissu's role is to
give blessings of protection and safety to the people. They attend and can take
charge of events such as birth or death. Occasionally, they must show the
people that they have a connection to the spiritual world (Bailey 2013). Also,
the bissu's attire must be symbolic to both male and female necessities. The
calalai are less accepted in their community and tend to usually hide their
identity because of their lack of economic and social power. Despite this
exclusion of the calalai in acceptance, the Bugis culture believes all of the
five genders must exist in order to have harmony and balance in the world
(Nanda and Warms 2013).
In America, gender identity is
mostly viewed and based on an individual’s biological status. Anyone who
dresses oppositely from their sex is usually excluded in society. The two main
genders are men and women. Men tend to be the ones who can live on their own
and use logic to solve problems. They are constantly into sports, unorganized,
and unattached to the world. On the other hand, women are viewed as weak,
emotional, and crazy. They are expected to look their best at all times and are
assumed to be good at arts. A woman is expected to find a man and live as a
"domestic goddess" while the husband protects and provides for the
family.
While these two cultures have their
differences in response to gender, both cultures have similarities, as well. For example, America has become more open to the
concept of same-sex marriage and has legalized it in over 30 states. Similarly,
the Bugis have many genders; therefore, same-sex relationships are encouraged.
In my opinion, gender is so widely
different between these two cultures because of the way history has shaped each
of them over time. America's aspects of gender could have been influenced by
the early colonists while the Bugis were influenced by their ancestors. I have
learned that gender does not have a clear definition. It is something that is
perceived. I was unaware that there were more than three gender types prior to
this research. I wonder that my lack of these other genders was due to American
culture. Also, I have realized that America should become more open to the
concepts of gender like the Bugis people are. Rather than excluding the ones
that go against the American cultures stereotypes of gender, America should be
more accepting because we are all human.
Works
Cited
Bailey, G. James Peoples Essentials
of Cultural Anthropology, 3rd. Ed. Cengage Learning, 2013.
Davies, Sharyn Graham. Gender Diversity in Indonesia:
Sexuality, Islam and Queer Selves
(ASAA Women in Asia Series), Routledge, 2010.
Nanda, S. Warms, R. Cultural Anthropology, Cengage
Learning, 2013. Print.
16 comments:
This is a very interesting topic to me. I am actually a little surprised how the Bugis have 5 different categories of gender. (Male, female, male acting as female, female acting as male, and one sex doing both). But I am curious as to how they look at fertility; would they see it as something that only a female, Calabai or Calalai, represent as seen in other cultures Venus figurines? Or is it seen as something that is open and normal to every being regardless of gender?
It wouldn't surprise me if this culture is able to perform a sex-changing operation, just like how Caitlyn Jenner (formerly Bruce Jenner) recently became recognised as a woman. But by this culture, would Caitlyn be seen as a Calalia or a Bissu?
Ryan, interesting questions. I highly recommend you seek the answers to your own questions, particularly given that some of which you address is quite new and the information may or may not be available to answer those questions.
Very interesting how the Bugis have five different labeled genders. In my opinion, it is similar to the way gay and lesbian couples interact with each other. There is usually the more masculine partner of the two even though they are the same sex. sadly, I still also see the unfair treatment and portrayal of these different genders but that is something society is going to have to be educated on and not discriminate people so harshly. We all bleed red, why should we discriminate people based on their hormonal make-up?
Thank you for the post
Zachary Forrester
anthro 101 3001 summer
This post was interesting in the fact that no matter what it appears that men have an open ability to assume roles as they please, however women ho attempt to assume male roles, such as the Calalai, are less accepted. What I also find interesting is that cultures that are so much older than the one we live in, have accepted other gender roles, and acknowledged that they need those additional roles for harmony.
Nicole Grimes
Anthro 101 Summer
Some Americans go with a "live and let live" policy. I'm in that category as long as you don't threaten myself or my loved ones freedoms. I feel people should do what they want and as long as they aren't hurting anybody, themselves included, they should be free to express themselves as they see fit.
I'm so glad someone mentioned the Bugis! I was thinking about them during my other comments of gender roles. I find them extremely interesting that they can allow people to accept their preferred gender roles so easily and openly.
This was a very informative read to find out that there are actually cultures out there were one can be both the male and female gender is awesome.
Jordan R
This was very interesting it was something different by all means but it really does help out knowing that their are people out there who don't mind change and are accepting of it. This also kind of reminds me of the roles of the village head and the big man although they are totally different roles as to the calabai and the bissu's but they both play keys roles in their culture that they are held to.
-Erick Anguiano
I never knew that the Bugis had 5 different categories of genders and that they were so accepting to all of them. People in the US drive people out of the normal away for being different and it is cool the Bugis are so accepting and even have certain roles each person plays in the community. They see that you can not just base their gender off how they look, but how they really feel about it and I believe the US will someday realize that as well.
This is a very refreshing post to read in regards to gender identity. Here in America, new laws and new norms are being developed every day. People of all genders should be encouraged to be whoever they want to be, whether biologically or physically. It's nice to see another culture so accepting of people being who they are.
It's interesting on the 5 categories of gender. I love how it's so accepting and no judgements.
Aaliyah Caldwell
this was an interesting read because the author had some good points. whereas the author stated that men are supposed to live on their own and women are not and I disagree with that. My mom has always lived on her own and I guess she doesn't fit in with your typical average American woman.
America should be more accepting because we are all human, I agree. With Bugis do you think Americans will sooner or later relate to the categories of gender better and let people be who they want to be?
That's the million dollar question. I am hopeful that society will become more inclusive, but that is ultimately up to the individuals within it to make that decision. We do not have to agree with each other, but a live and let live attitude can do wonders for peaceful coexistence.
I think what people fail to realize is that transgender, male or female we're all human. It doesn't matter what choices we decide to make, we all should treated others the way we would like to be treated.
-Monique McAllister
This is a very interesting topic and is way different to how we Americans identify ourselves. There has been people who rather not consider themselves as male or female in America for their own reasons that I wish I could get a better understanding of but, for the most part we either identify as male or female in contrast to this culture.
-Apre'shana Page
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