Jump to content

Akava'ine: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
→‎Culture: Misinformation
Misinformation. False references
Line 1: Line 1:
⚫
An ''''' 'akava'ine ''''' is a [[Cook Islands Māori]] word used refer to women who had an inflated opinion of themselves, drew attention to themselves in ways that disrupted groupness, did not heed others advice, or who acted in a self-serving or self-promoting way.<ref name="Dancing from the heart">{{cite book|author=Kalissa Alexeyeff|title=Dancing from the Heart: Movement, Gender, and Cook Islands Globalization|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=SdmBdhq6l-gC&pg=PT104|accessdate=27 July 2013|year=2009|publisher=University of Hawaii Press|isbn=978-0-8248-3244-5|page=104}}</ref>
An ''''' 'akava'ine ''''' is a [[Cook Islands Māori]] word that can be used to describe [[transgender]] or [[transsexual]] women in the [[Cook Islands]].


However within the last decade it is becoming increasingly popular in descibing [[transgender]] or [[transsexual]] of Māori descent from the [[Cook Islands]].
⚫
Originally the term referred to women who had an inflated opinion of themselves, drew attention to themselves in ways that disrupted groupness, did not heed others advice, or who acted in a self-serving or self-promoting way.<ref name="Dancing from the heart">{{cite book|author=Kalissa Alexeyeff|title=Dancing from the Heart: Movement, Gender, and Cook Islands Globalization|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=SdmBdhq6l-gC&pg=PT104|accessdate=27 July 2013|year=2009|publisher=University of Hawaii Press|isbn=978-0-8248-3244-5|page=104}}</ref>
"'Akava'ine" is a contemporary identity, contrary to popular belief claiming it as an old Māori custom. Rather, its identity is heavily influenced by other Polynesian societies, naturally, through cross-cultural interaction of Polynesians living in [[New Zealand]] especially the [[Samoans|Samoan]]: "[[Fa'afafine]]" in which transgenders hold a special place in Sāmoan society. <ref>http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/gender-diversity/page-3</ref>

Today, "'Akava'ine" is the contemporary identity of transgender females of [[Cook Islands Māori]] descent. It generally comes under a wider [[Polynesians|Polynesian]] transgender identity, which has its largest presence and sphere of influence in [[New Zealand]], where other Polynesian terms such as the New Zealand [[Māori people|Māori]]: "Whakawahine", and the [[Samoans|Samoan]]: "[[Fa'afafine]]", become coaligned.


==Etymology==
==Etymology==
The term '''akava'ine'' is a prefix of ''"aka"'' (to be or to behave like) and ''"va'ine"'' (woman).<ref name="BuseTaringa1995">{{cite book|author1=Jasper Buse|author2=Raututi Taringa|title=Cook Islands Maori Dictionary|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=AT2ENAHoS28C&pg=PA51|accessdate=27 July 2013|year=1995|isbn=978-0-7286-0230-4|page=51}}</ref>
The term '''akava'ine'' is a prefix of ''"aka"'' (to be or to behave like) and ''"va'ine"'' (woman).<ref name="BuseTaringa1995">{{cite book|author1=Jasper Buse|author2=Raututi Taringa|title=Cook Islands Maori Dictionary|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=AT2ENAHoS28C&pg=PA51|accessdate=27 July 2013|year=1995|isbn=978-0-7286-0230-4|page=51}}</ref>
The New Zealand [[Māori people|Māori]] word : "Whakawahine" has a parallel meaning without


[[Antonym]]: '''akatāne''<ref name="Alexeyeff2009">{{cite book|author=Kalissa Alexeyeff|title=Dancing from the Heart: Movement, Gender, and Cook Islands Globalization|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=SdmBdhq6l-gC&pg=PT105|accessdate=27 July 2013|year=2009|publisher=University of Hawaii Press|isbn=978-0-8248-3244-5|page=105}}</ref> - Act like a man, have manly qualities; be a [[tomboy]].<ref name="BuseTaringa1995"/>
[[Antonym]]: '''akatāne''<ref name="Alexeyeff2009">{{cite book|author=Kalissa Alexeyeff|title=Dancing from the Heart: Movement, Gender, and Cook Islands Globalization|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=SdmBdhq6l-gC&pg=PT105|accessdate=27 July 2013|year=2009|publisher=University of Hawaii Press|isbn=978-0-8248-3244-5|page=105}}</ref> - Act like a man, have manly qualities; be a [[tomboy]].<ref name="BuseTaringa1995"/>
Line 15: Line 15:
==Culture==
==Culture==
The usage of the Māori word "'Akava'ine" for a transgender is very recent, and there is no evidence of the third gender (transsexual) being present in traditional Cook Islands Māori society. It is not documented in any written encounters of the Māori people during the Pre-Christian era to the mid-late 1800s - early 1900s. As detailed as these accounts of Cook Islands Māori society are, it is highly unlikely they would have left out information regarding transsexuals/third genders if they were ever prominent or even present . Much unlike the transgenders of [[Fa'afafine|Samoa]], [[Tahiti]] and [[mahu (person)|Hawai'i]] which are well recorded. <ref>http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-BucMangi.html</ref>
The usage of the Māori word "'Akava'ine" for a transgender is very recent, and there is no evidence of the third gender (transsexual) being present in traditional Cook Islands Māori society. It is not documented in any written encounters of the Māori people during the Pre-Christian era to the mid-late 1800s - early 1900s. As detailed as these accounts of Cook Islands Māori society are, it is highly unlikely they would have left out information regarding transsexuals/third genders if they were ever prominent or even present . Much unlike the transgenders of [[Fa'afafine|Samoa]], [[Tahiti]] and [[mahu (person)|Hawai'i]] which are well recorded. <ref>http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-BucMangi.html</ref>

Homosexuality is outlawed in the Cook Islands for men whereas women are free to have homesexual relations. ref>{{cite web|url=http://typo3.lsvd.de/fileadmin/pics/Dokumente/Homosexualitaet/World_legal_wrap_up_survey._November2006.pdf|title=LGBT World legal wrap up survey|author=International Lesbian and Gay Association|year=2006|page=4}}</ref>


Some '''akava'ine'' take part in the making of ''[[tivaevae]]'' (quilts), an activity traditionally done by the women of the community.<ref name="LittleMcAnany2011">{{cite book|author1=Walter E. Little|author2=Patricia Ann McAnany|title=Textile Economies: Power and Value from the Local to the Transnational|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=woPmXQOU4hUC&pg=PA72|accessdate=27 July 2013|date=16 October 2011|publisher=Rowman Altamira|isbn=978-0-7591-2061-7|page=72}}</ref>
Some '''akava'ine'' take part in the making of ''[[tivaevae]]'' (quilts), an activity traditionally done by the women of the community.<ref name="LittleMcAnany2011">{{cite book|author1=Walter E. Little|author2=Patricia Ann McAnany|title=Textile Economies: Power and Value from the Local to the Transnational|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=woPmXQOU4hUC&pg=PA72|accessdate=27 July 2013|date=16 October 2011|publisher=Rowman Altamira|isbn=978-0-7591-2061-7|page=72}}</ref>
Line 28: Line 30:
*Alexeyeff, Kalissa (2009). ''Dancing from the heart: movement, gender, and Cook Islands globalization''. University of Hawaii Press
*Alexeyeff, Kalissa (2009). ''Dancing from the heart: movement, gender, and Cook Islands globalization''. University of Hawaii Press
* Buse, Jasper; Taringa, Raututi (1995). ''Cook Islands Maori dictionary'', edited by Bruce Biggs & Rangi Moeka'a, published by The Ministry of Education, Government of the Cook Islands
* Buse, Jasper; Taringa, Raututi (1995). ''Cook Islands Maori dictionary'', edited by Bruce Biggs & Rangi Moeka'a, published by The Ministry of Education, Government of the Cook Islands

==External links==
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khAMHsIEu6E Video clip from TVNZ news (2008): Rarotongan Queens put on a performance promoting respect in Rarotonga]


{{Sexual identities}}
{{Sexual identities}}

Revision as of 03:50, 6 March 2015

An 'akava'ine is a Cook Islands Māori word used refer to women who had an inflated opinion of themselves, drew attention to themselves in ways that disrupted groupness, did not heed others advice, or who acted in a self-serving or self-promoting way.[1]

However within the last decade it is becoming increasingly popular in descibing transgender or transsexual of Māori descent from the Cook Islands. "'Akava'ine" is a contemporary identity, contrary to popular belief claiming it as an old Māori custom. Rather, its identity is heavily influenced by other Polynesian societies, naturally, through cross-cultural interaction of Polynesians living in New Zealand especially the Samoan: "Fa'afafine" in which transgenders hold a special place in Sāmoan society. [2]

Etymology

The term 'akava'ine is a prefix of "aka" (to be or to behave like) and "va'ine" (woman).[3] The New Zealand Māori word : "Whakawahine" has a parallel meaning without

Antonym: 'akatāne[4] - Act like a man, have manly qualities; be a tomboy.[3]

Other terms

Sometimes the word laelae is also used, typically when implying criticism or ridicule of feminine behaviour displayed by a man, for example being described as effeminate or homosexual.[1] Laelae is the colloquial Cook Islands term; the word tutuva'ine (meaning "like a woman") is used less frequently[1] Homosexuality is illegal for males in the Cook Islands.[5]

Culture

The usage of the Māori word "'Akava'ine" for a transgender is very recent, and there is no evidence of the third gender (transsexual) being present in traditional Cook Islands Māori society. It is not documented in any written encounters of the Māori people during the Pre-Christian era to the mid-late 1800s - early 1900s. As detailed as these accounts of Cook Islands Māori society are, it is highly unlikely they would have left out information regarding transsexuals/third genders if they were ever prominent or even present . Much unlike the transgenders of Samoa, Tahiti and Hawai'i which are well recorded. [6]

Homosexuality is outlawed in the Cook Islands for men whereas women are free to have homesexual relations. ref>International Lesbian and Gay Association (2006). "LGBT World legal wrap up survey" (PDF). p. 4.</ref>

Some 'akava'ine take part in the making of tivaevae (quilts), an activity traditionally done by the women of the community.[7]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Kalissa Alexeyeff (2009). Dancing from the Heart: Movement, Gender, and Cook Islands Globalization. University of Hawaii Press. p. 104. ISBN 978-0-8248-3244-5. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
  2. ^ http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/gender-diversity/page-3
  3. ^ a b Jasper Buse; Raututi Taringa (1995). Cook Islands Maori Dictionary. p. 51. ISBN 978-0-7286-0230-4. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
  4. ^ Kalissa Alexeyeff (2009). Dancing from the Heart: Movement, Gender, and Cook Islands Globalization. University of Hawaii Press. p. 105. ISBN 978-0-8248-3244-5. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
  5. ^ International Lesbian and Gay Association (2006). "LGBT World legal wrap up survey" (PDF). p. 4.
  6. ^ http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-BucMangi.html
  7. ^ Walter E. Little; Patricia Ann McAnany (16 October 2011). Textile Economies: Power and Value from the Local to the Transnational. Rowman Altamira. p. 72. ISBN 978-0-7591-2061-7. Retrieved 27 July 2013.

Bibliography

  • Alexeyeff, Kalissa (2009). Dancing from the heart: movement, gender, and Cook Islands globalization. University of Hawaii Press
  • Buse, Jasper; Taringa, Raututi (1995). Cook Islands Maori dictionary, edited by Bruce Biggs & Rangi Moeka'a, published by The Ministry of Education, Government of the Cook Islands
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Akava%27ine&oldid=650096462"