Vakasalewalewa
| Classification | Gender identity | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other terms | |||||
| Associated terms | Fakaleiti,Two-spirit,Trans woman,Akava'ine,Māhū,Pinapinaaine,Palopa | ||||
| Demographics | |||||
| Culture | Fijian | ||||
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| Part ofa serieson |
| Transgender topics |
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 Category |
Vakasalewalewaare people fromFiji,who were assigned male at birth but who have a feminine gender expression. In Fiji, this is understood as a traditionalthird genderidentity, culturally specific to the country.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
Etymology
[edit]The term comes from Fijian and translates as "acting in the manner of a woman"; it has connotations of a traditional cultural way of life. A related modern term isqauri,which is used to collectively describe all non-heteronormative male-bodied people in Fiji.[7]Another related term isviavialewa,which translates as "wanting to be a woman".[8]
Vakasalewalewa is included in the acronym MVPFAFF+ (mahu,vakasalewalewa,palopa,fa'afafine,akava'ine,fakaleitior leiti,fakafifine,and other), coined byPhylesha Brown-Acton,to "enhance Pasifika gender diversity awareness in addition to the term LGBTQI".[9][10]
History and culture
[edit]Colonial historical records are silent on the role of vakasalewalewa in Fijian society.[11]However, like many other gender identities in Oceania, such asakava'inein theCook IslandsorFa'afafineinSamoa,that these identities existed and were valued in pre-modern Fiji.[12][11]ActivistShaneel Lalargues that prior to colonisation, vakasalewalewa were integral to native Fijijan society.Lalclaims that colonisation stripped Fijians of their rich queer identities and conditioned them with homophobia, transphobia and queerphobia.[13]
According toJoey Joleen Mataele,many vakasalewalewa work in hospitality industries.[3]
Reception
[edit]InGeir Henning Presterudsten's study ofqauricommunities, they reported that many rejected the label of vakasalewalewa, believing it to be "old-fashioned" or "restrictive". However, people who ascribed to vakasalewalewa found greater acceptance in Fiji, than those who identified asqauri.[11]
Notable vakasalewalewa
[edit]- Kalisito Biaukula- broadcaster and human rights activist.[14]
- Shaneel Lal- queer and indigenous rights activist.[15]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^Frequently Asked Questions: Sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status in the Pacific(PDF).United Nations. 2015.
- ^Sears, James Thomas (2005).Youth, Education, and Sexualities: K-Z.Greenwood Publishing Group.ISBN978-0-313-32755-1.
- ^ab"Governments have failed to protect trans people from murder -and from COVID-19".Amnesty International.2020-11-20.Retrieved2021-08-25.
- ^Gender-affirming care in Canterbury - Simplifying the complexity(PDF).Health Quality & Safety New Zealand. 2019.
- ^Global Trans Perspectives on Health & Wellbeing(PDF).Dorset Healthcare. 2018.
- ^Johnston, Lynda (2018-10-25).Transforming Gender, Sex, and Place: Gender Variant Geographies.Routledge.ISBN978-1-317-00825-5.
- ^Presterudstuen, Geir (2020-06-11).Performing Masculinity: Body, Self and Identity in Modern Fiji.Routledge.ISBN978-1-000-18116-6.
- ^Thompson, Tulia (2014)."Queer Lives in Fiji".researchspace.auckland.ac.nz.Retrieved2021-08-25.
- ^"From Fa'afafine to Fakaleitī: Understanding Pacific gender diversity".www.abc.net.au.2019-08-30.Retrieved2021-06-21.
- ^Motuga, Ann-Tauilo (2022-02-23)."National health survey for Pasifika Rainbow+ is now open".TP+.Retrieved2023-01-07.
- ^abcBesnier, Niko; Alexeyeff, Kalissa (2014-12-31).Gender on the Edge: Transgender, Gay, and Other Pacific Islanders.University of Hawaii Press.ISBN978-0-8248-4019-8.
- ^Brown, Terry (2006-04-01).Other Voices Other Worlds: The Global Church Speaks Out on Homosexuality.Church Publishing, Inc.ISBN978-0-89869-793-3.
- ^Lal, Shaneel."The Genderless Void: A review of ATUA".Pantograph Punch.Retrieved2022-01-26.
- ^"Youth".Make Your Voice Count.Retrieved2021-08-25.
- ^Magazine, Viva (18 December 2021)."People Of The Year: Shaneel Lal Is A Powerful Voice Of A Generation - Viva".www.viva.co.nz.Retrieved2022-01-21.