Gender in Bugis society: Difference between revisions
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==Bissu== |
==Bissu== |
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''Bissu'' is one of the five genders of the |
''Bissu'' is one of the five genders of the Bugis, an [[demographics of Indonesia|Indonesian ethnic group]]. There are divergent theories regarding the definitive origins and meaning of "gender transcendent", as the ''bissu'' are commonly called.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iias.nl/iiasn/29/IIASNL29_27.pdf |title=Sex, Gender, and Priests in South Sulawesi, Indonesia |publisher=[[International Institute for Asian Studies]] |accessdate=2011-07-25}}</ref> |
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To be considered ''bissu'', all aspects of gender must be combined to form a whole. |
To be considered ''bissu'', all aspects of gender must be combined to form a whole. That can include those who are born [[intersex]]. However, some ''bissu'' have fully-functioning male or female sexual organs. <ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.insideindonesia.org/edition-66/sulawesi-s-fifth-gender-3007484 |title=Sulawesi's fifth gender |journal=[[Inside Indonesia]] |accessdate=2011-07-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120728104208/http://www.insideindonesia.org/edition-66-apr-jun-2001/sulawesi-s-fifth-gender-3007484 |archive-date=28 July 2012 }}</ref> |
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The |
The ''bissu'' and the other gender roles not normally found in [[Western society]] exist in Bugis society because it is a cultural belief that all five genders must harmoniously co-exist.{{citation needed|date=March 2016}} |
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The advice of ''bissu'' is typically sought when a particular approval from the powers of the [[ |
The advice of ''bissu'' is typically sought when a particular approval from the powers of the ''[[batin (Islam)|batin]]'' (hidden) world is required. One example is Bugis who leave Sulawesi for the [[Hajj]], the compulsory pilgrimage to [[Mecca]]. The ''bissu'' then seizes them and proceeds as an emissary of the ''batin''.{{citation needed|date=March 2016}} |
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That violates traditional [[Islam]] but has been tolerated by the regional Muslim establishment if no act is directly against [[Sharia]]. |
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In daily social life, the ''bissu'', along with the ''calabai'' and the ''calalai'', are authorized to enter |
In daily social life, the ''bissu'', along with the ''calabai'' and the ''calalai'', are authorized to enter women's places of dwellings and villages, besides men's.{{citation needed|date=March 2016}} |
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==Calabai== |
==Calabai== |
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Revision as of 20:20, 16 July 2017
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (May 2016) |
The Bugis people are the most numerous of the three major ethnic groups of South Sulawesi, Indonesia.[1][page needed]
In contrast to the two-gender system, Bugis society recognises five genders: makkunrai, oroané, bissu, calabai, and calalai.[2] Makkunrai and oroané are comparable to cisgender women and men, respectively. Bissu are androgynous shamans. Calalai and calabai approximately compare with trans men and trans women.[2]
Bissu
Bissu is one of the five genders of the Bugis, an Indonesian ethnic group. There are divergent theories regarding the definitive origins and meaning of "gender transcendent", as the bissu are commonly called.[3]
To be considered bissu, all aspects of gender must be combined to form a whole. That can include those who are born intersex. However, some bissu have fully-functioning male or female sexual organs. [4]
The bissu and the other gender roles not normally found in Western society exist in Bugis society because it is a cultural belief that all five genders must harmoniously co-exist.[citation needed]
The advice of bissu is typically sought when a particular approval from the powers of the batin (hidden) world is required. One example is Bugis who leave Sulawesi for the Hajj, the compulsory pilgrimage to Mecca. The bissu then seizes them and proceeds as an emissary of the batin.[citation needed]
That violates traditional Islam but has been tolerated by the regional Muslim establishment if no act is directly against Sharia.
In daily social life, the bissu, along with the calabai and the calalai, are authorized to enter women's places of dwellings and villages, besides men's.[citation needed]
Calabai
According to the Bugis gender system, a calabai is a 'false woman'. Therefore, these people are generally assigned male at birth but take on the role of a heterosexual female. The fashions and gender expression of Calabai individuals are distinctly feminine, but do not match that of the "typical" cis-gendered woman.
If there is to be a wedding in Bugis society, more often than not calabai will be involved in the organization. When a wedding date has been agreed upon, the family will approach a calabai and negotiate a wedding plan. The calabai will be responsible for many things: setting up and decorating the tent, arranging the bridal chairs, bridal gown, costumes for the groom and the entire wedding party (numbering up to twenty-five), makeup for all those involved, and all the food. Rarely did I attend a village wedding with less than a thousand guests. On the day, some calabai remain in the kitchen preparing food while others form part of the reception, showing guests to their seats.
— Sharyn Graham
Calalai
A calalai is a person who is assigned female at birth but takes on the roles of a heterosexual male. Calalai dress and present as men, hold masculine jobs, and typically live with female partners to adopt children.[5][page needed]
See also
References
- ^ Peletz, Michael G. (2009). Gender Pluralism: Southeast Asia Since Early Modern Times. Routledge. ISBN 978-0-415-93161-8. OCLC 351812201.
- ^ a b Graham Davies, Sharyn (2006). Challenging Gender Norms: Five Genders Among Bugis in Indonesia. Case Studies in Cultural Anthropology. Thomson Wadsworth. p. xi. ISBN 978-0-495-09280-3. OCLC 476076313.
- ^ "Sex, Gender, and Priests in South Sulawesi, Indonesia" (PDF). International Institute for Asian Studies. Retrieved 25 July 2011.
- ^ "Sulawesi's fifth gender". Inside Indonesia. Archived from the original on 28 July 2012. Retrieved 25 July 2011.
- ^ Carl, John D. (2011). Think Sociology (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River: Pearson. OCLC 663102354.
Further reading
- Graham Davies, Sharyn (2010). Gender Diversity in Indonesia: Sexuality, Islam and Queer Selves. ASAA Women in Asia Series. Routledge.
- Pelras, Christian (1997). The Bugis. The Peoples of South-East Asia and the Pacific. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-0-631-17231-4. OCLC 247435344.
External links
- Five Genders? (video). National Geographic Channel. 21 October 2008 – via YouTube.
- Perkins, Roberta (November 1994). Skinner, Craig (ed.). "Soft Minded Men: South-East Asian Gender Crossing". Polare (5).
