ANTH 1003 Chapter : Chapter 8
Document Summary
Ambiguous or intersex (1 in 1500 to 2000 births) may be physical and/or chromosomal. The hijras of india: hijras are an ambiguous gender role in india, hijras born male undergo an operation in which their genitals are surgically removed. Cultural acceptance of biological hermaphrodites: hijras consider the operation a rebirth carried out as an act of devotion to the hindu mother goddess, hijras are believed to incorporate the goddess" powers of procreation. They play an importat role at celebrations of fertility (weddings, birth of a child) The way we stand: body modification, ex. Male circumcision, piercings, tattoos: body adornment, activities, ex. 1935, sex and temperament in three primitive societies. Culture and personality: gender as a cultural construct. Compared to each other and to u. s. culture: arapesh: both sexes acted feminine caring, nurturing, mundugamor: both sexes acted masculine assertive, tchambuli: men acted in ways considered feminine and women acted masculine .
