SA 101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Bahuchara Mata, Ethnocentrism, Critical Thinking
19 Jun 2018
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Module 3 (Week 3): Group compilation responses
1. Do you think it is more effective for anthropologists to do research among people who they
are “like” or among people from whom they are very “different”? Why?
2. Nanda states that the hijras inhabit a third sex, neither man nor woman. What are some of
the aspects of Hindu culture that make a place for this third sex? Why do you think that trans-
gendered people living in North America have espoused such confusion and fear from those
around them?
1. Both of us all believe that it is more effective to do anthropological research among those
who are different from the researcher. Since anthropology is the study of human, doing research
with people who are different from one another would be much more effective.
Reason being that being “different” contributes to the various culture, belief and values that each
researcher has. Ideally from different backgrounds: cultural, religiously, financially, and even
different races. When coming from different backgrounds, it allows for a more varied point of
view on each situation. This will most likely open up various ideas from different researchers,
creating a much more interesting research than the intended . Critical thinking towards the study
would be thought out differently through each person’s minds since they different views from
their own unique backgrounds. This will allow for a wider view of the world, as people only
experience a small percentage of the infinite possibilities in one lifetime.
More specifically we do not think being “different” from the research population is enough
criteria, the researcher must go as far as to be very self-aware of their own culturally influenced
lives and any bias’ that may have formed as a result. We believe people need these differences
because, to say one understands the uniqueness of cultures is one small notion, compared to
being able to grasp a full non-judgmental comparative view not only between but within
cultures. Going back to the self-awareness, Ravi believe that if you have the ability for self-
introspection you will have a better sense of your own underlying bias’ that you may not always
be consciously aware of. This ability to understand your own bias, in turn can assist in
uncovering some prejudice misconceptions you may hold about other culture(s). In this weeks
online reading Boas explains the importance of an inductive approach when understanding
cultural differences. Constructing interpretations and assumptions from abundant quantities of
data over a long period of time encompasses this approach Boas explains (p. 33). The concepts
of cultural relativity and ethnocentrism both emphasize the importance of individual cultural
factors, with the former maintaining the absence of our own culturally-biased judgments. Boas
seemed to reside with cultural relativity explaining that vital importance must be applied to
“diversity and historical contextualization” (p. 34). Without being able to separate yourself from
your own assumptions, it can become difficult to understand another's cultural routines/traditions
unless you put them into the appropriately related context in time, and understand the
progression from there on out.
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2. The idea of a third sex in the Hindu culture would not have been able to progress without the
religion Hinduism. Because, in Hindu culture, these men who are born or “made” hijras are
ambiguous sexual nature, through which they reflect the power of generatively of goddness,
became their traditional occupation. Ravi mention: Nanda explains that although there is some
ridicule about the Hijras on part of the society, there is also a bit of a legitimate prosperous
ritualism about them that seems to be followed during weddings, and births. In chapter 3 of
Neither Man Nor Woman she discusses the importance of mythological tales and spiritual
themes that tend to be abided by in the Hindu culture. Within this culture, this alternative-gender
group speaks to the large belief focused following surrounding the possibilities of growth and
progression from one gender to the next. This not only makes a place for this third sex, but also
seems to bring a sense of good -fortune and blessing along with it. This is because they possess
both male and female characteristics as the God Shiva. Without religion, people might not be as
accepting Hijras as a third gender category. Religion plays a huge role in a place for a third sex
in the Hindu culture, as a ritual performer who bestows blessing on babies and marriages.
Meanwhile, I noted that because of religion, some people who worshipping Bahuchara Mata, and
try to get the connection, they will experience an exmasulation operation in which their genitals
are removed, and become the Hijras. Thus, we think that without religion, people might not be as
accepting Hijras as a third gender category.
Also, Tiffany and Jeffrey both mention that through mythological stories from The Laws of
Manu, it raises interests and awareness to the beliefs and values towards differences of what
other cultures see gender and sex as. This makes the Hindu culture accept the concept of a third
sex.
In North America, we think trans-gendered people “espoused such confusion and fear from those
around them” because being trans-gendered is seen “abnormal” or is conflicting their own beliefs
and perspectives. Ravi think the reason so much confusion and fear for a lack of better words has
been aroused by the trans-gender community is due to the genuine ignorance and pre-judgments
that tend to get made about this group. Although there is some progression being made in our
society concerning such groups, the truth of the matter is that for numerous individuals in North
America this continues to be a novel concept. Beside, both Jeffrey and Tiffany feel that North
Americans are confused and fear trans-gendered people because it is very unfamiliar with them,
and the North Americans society has only grasped an acceptance to being different only recently.
People in America are following the social idea of accepting people’s differences, they feel the
unknown and change, as in the past being trans-gendered is a more hidden fact, there was less
exposure. Moreover, they do not have mythological stories to follow and change their values that
they have. Therefore, people feel fear when they see something “abnormal” or is conflicting their
own beliefs and perspectives.
To cite Boas from the previous question “Cultural changes come from multiple converging and
diverging trends” (p. 34). Ethnocentric individuals in society can be so quick to apply their own
assumption to situations, based off their own subjective experiences. As frustrating as this can be
for others, it just so happens to be the structure society has set up until now, and due to this we
must give all these people with their incorrectly preconceived notions, time to gain
understanding and acceptance towards the trans-gender societies and start preaching cultural
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relativism. Now in modern society, we aim to be more open and accepting of others personal
choice, it scares those are are unwilling to accept.
1) Our group had various opinions regarding the relative effectiveness of anthropologists either
studying among people with whom they are "like," or among those whom are "different." Isabel
overwhelmingly concluded that for the anthropologist, it is most effective to study among those
whom you are "like." For example, she discusses how it can be an advantage to study among
those whom are similar, because this can prevent the objectification of others as "primitive," or
being less than a "dominant culture." On the contrary, Mikaela and Justin came to the conclusion
that there was a greater advantage to being an "outsider," as long as the research was conducted
in an ethical manner. It was also discussed that being an "outsider" may allow the researcher to
make critical observations and eliminate potential biases. On the contrary, Olivia and myself
agreed that is is most effective to conduct research with those whom are both "like" us, and those
who are "different" from us. For example, we discussed how studying among people who are
like oneself can benefit one's research, by understanding the cultural practices and traditions of
the group being studied. However, there was also an understanding that this method of research
may bias one's research and observations, if the researcher were to have ethnocentric beliefs
regarding their own culture. Conclusively, although many of us had various opinions regarding
the most effective way to conduct anthropological research, there was an emerging theme, which
was that both methods of research had both advantages and disadvantages.
2) Each group member brought up some interesting points regarding Hindu culture, and how this
culture incorporated the Hijras. For example, there was an overwhelming conclusion that the
hijras had an important role with regards to Hindu tradition. For example, as Justin mentions,
they attend sacred events such as weddings and childbirths. There was also discussion about
religion, and how the Hijras were recognized in Hindu culture as vessels for several deity's. For
example, Isabel discusses that the Hijras within Hindu culture, represent vessels that extend the
blessings of the goddess Buhuchara Mata. Mikaela also discusses how the hijras posses special
powers, because of their identity as neither man nor woman. On the contrary, Olivia discusses
that because Hindu culture incorporated the Hijras within their culture and traditions, they are
able to live out informal and formal roles (p.43). Overall, there was an understanding among
group members, that the hijras were more or less incorporated into Hindu culture, given their
special identity as neither man nor woman.
In contrast to Hindu culture, transgender individuals have had less of a role within the contexts
of North American culture. In our group discussion, everyone concluded to some extent that
North American culture espouses fear and confusion surrounding transgender individuals and
issues, through a lack of education and open discussion. Furthermore, that the confusion
surrounding transgender individuals may stem from a lack of understanding, and ignorance to
acknowledge that gender identity extends beyond the constructs created by society. Overall, our
group had a very informative and thoughtful discussion about the issues surrounding the hijras
and transgender individuals living in North America.
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Document Summary
Why: nanda states that the hijras inhabit a third sex, neither man nor woman. Since anthropology is the study of human, doing research with people who are different from one another would be much more effective. Reason being that being different contributes to the various culture, belief and values that each researcher has. Ideally from different backgrounds: cultural, religiously, financially, and even different races. When coming from different backgrounds, it allows for a more varied point of view on each situation. This will most likely open up various ideas from different researchers, creating a much more interesting research than the intended . Critical thinking towards the study would be thought out differently through each person"s minds since they different views from their own unique backgrounds. This will allow for a wider view of the world, as people only experience a small percentage of the infinite possibilities in one lifetime.
