TRANSGENDERS ARE ACCCEPTED IN INDIA?

 

Is it true that transgenders are being accepted in India?

yup it is true, transgenders in India are being called as Hijra

In the culture of South Asia, hijras are physiological males who have feminine gender identity, women's clothing and other feminine gender roles.

In our beliefs, there are only 2 kind of different sex genders being born on the earth, male and female and   each sex has its own particular role in society. On the other hand, anthropologists have had noticed that several societies around the world have supernumerary (e.g. more than two) sexes.  Appropriate behavior for these “third-sex” groups is defined by a third gender role, which is distinct from traditional masculine and feminine identities

Hijra is define as a girl soul who had been trapped in male body.  Most of the Hijra do not change their gender or even go for plastic surgery. They keep their sex gender as a male but dressing like a woman by wearing sari and jewelry such as bracelets, rings and necklace.

In India, hijras are viewed as an institutionalized “third sex” that has always existed. They are particularly associated with the worship of Bahuchara Mata, a version of the Mother Goddess, for whose sake they undergo emasculation. In return, the Goddess gives them the power to bless people with fertility (Nanda ix).



Their presence in society is justified by many Hindu myths. For example, one of the forms of the god Shiva is that of Ardhanarisvara, half man, half woman, who represents Shiva united with his shakti, or female creative power (Nanda 20). Another mythological reference, often pointed to by hijras as the story of their origin, is contained in the epic Mahabharata. While in exile, the main character Arjun disguises himself as a eunuch and serves the ladies of the court. During this time, he participates in weddings and births, thus legitimizing the roles hijras play in ritual contexts (Nanda 30-31).

In South Asia, many hijras live in well-defined, organized, all-hijra communities, led by a guru. These communities have sustained themselves over generations by "adopting" young boys who are rejected by, or flee their family of origin.Many work as prostitutes for survival

Most hijras live at the margins of society with very low status, the very word "hijra" is sometimes used in a derogatory manner. Few employment opportunities are available to hijras. Many get their income from performing at ceremonies by dancing, begging, or sex work—an occupation of eunuchs also recorded in premodern times.

Hijras have an ambivalent place in Indian society. Because they undergo emasculation as part of the worship of the Mother Goddess. 

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 hijras are most often uninvited, the host usually pays the hijras a fee. Many fear the hijras' curse if they are not appeased or  bringing bad luck or infertility, but for the fee they receive, they can bless goodwill and fortune on to the newly born. Hijras are said to be able to do this because, since they do not engage in sexual activities, they accumulate their sexual energy which they can use to either bestow a boon or a bane.

Although there is no official statistics on Hijra in India, their population is said to be half to one million. However, recently, the number of such opportunities of cerebration by Hijra is rapidly decreasing. As Many Indian couple hold their marriage cerebration in hotels, Hijras are not asked for their participation.

a group Hijra performing their dancing

With the reduction of job opportunity, Hijras regularly go out to town to earn by blessing the prosperity of stores and families by visiting shops and common houses. Nowadays, some Hijras even beg for money or engage in prostitution in some urban areas.This vicious cycle is current situation for them. It seems to be inevitable for Hijras to change their lifestyle when the Indian society changes.

 

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