I got an email from a German student doing research on the Hijras. He could use some help from experts or Hijras themselves. The email had been edited as bit for length and spelling.
my Name is David, I'm a student of History of India in Berlin/Germany.
I'm close to finishing my studys with a final essay: Hijras- From the Mythologie till Today.
I'm trying an overview from the first stories about Hijras in Mythology, to the means of Islam, to the British and finally to modernity.
I would love to ask some Hijras, or people who stand close, a few questions.
One of my Thesis is, that most Hijras are homosexual or transgendered- which is nothing new, but that there are so many because the sexual education in India is no good and people who are homosexual and transgendered, just don't know about this things. They only know Hijras are the ones to live with if you don't desire woman and don't feel like becoming a father.
And the second Thesis is, that there will be less Hijras in future, because of the growing of sexual education and the following awareness of gender differences.
So, to put it straight:
-Would you agree that Hijras are going to vanish because of sexual education or do you think Hijra is a lifestyle more than only being homosexual or transgendered?
-Do you think heterosexual man also follow Bahuchara Mata, after dreaming of her and emasculate themself?
-Why do you think ist Bahuchara Mata the main goddess, I cant find the link between cutting of the penis and getting the power to curs or bless.
- What is the impact of islam on the hindu huijra cult? Is castration maybe a heritage from Islam?
Are you able to help David? If so, contact him directly at: captain-dave@web.de and make sure you mention that you saw his email on the blog.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Monday, September 14, 2009
Making some changes
Clearly, I can't up with this blog as much as I would like. There has been tons of news coming out about the Hijra community, I just haven't been able to post it. I have a solution thanks to RSS feeds. I have set up 2 feeds for anyone to use.
1) Google News feed: This is what I have been using for years and getting the emails about news. This feed will post when a news article mentions Hijras. Keep in mind, it's not perfect, but it will get the news posted faster than me. These are typically free newspapers from around the world.
2) Academic Research feed: I pulled from an American research database, Academic Search Premier, to get articles from newspapers, magazines and journal articles ABOUT Hijras. This will post the most recent 5 articles.
There may be some overlap, but better than slow poke Sara.
1) Google News feed: This is what I have been using for years and getting the emails about news. This feed will post when a news article mentions Hijras. Keep in mind, it's not perfect, but it will get the news posted faster than me. These are typically free newspapers from around the world.
2) Academic Research feed: I pulled from an American research database, Academic Search Premier, to get articles from newspapers, magazines and journal articles ABOUT Hijras. This will post the most recent 5 articles.
There may be some overlap, but better than slow poke Sara.
Monday, December 01, 2008
Request for Help
I have received a request from Italian photographer, Chiara Goia.
Chiara is looking for organizations that work with the Hijra community in Calcutta.
Please email Chiara if you know of any organizations that can help
Chiara is looking for organizations that work with the Hijra community in Calcutta.
Please email Chiara if you know of any organizations that can help
Monday, February 25, 2008
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Eunuchs may be licensed in Madhya Pradesh
This article has been posted from a variety of sources this morning. It features a plan in Bhopal to create a license program for the hijra community living in the area. It is noted that 5,000 hijras live in Bhopal.
The city is claiming they want to do this to be able to know who is a real hijra and is not. The aim is to cut down on the fake hijas who harass people. I am all for protecting real hijras, but I am concerned that this is the first step on a path that could lead to segregation and government sanctioned harassment for the hijras. It's something to keep an eye on, especially for those who consider themselves activists on behalf of the hijra community.
The city is claiming they want to do this to be able to know who is a real hijra and is not. The aim is to cut down on the fake hijas who harass people. I am all for protecting real hijras, but I am concerned that this is the first step on a path that could lead to segregation and government sanctioned harassment for the hijras. It's something to keep an eye on, especially for those who consider themselves activists on behalf of the hijra community.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Eunuchs Do Their Bit
This article is from the Statesman an English language paper from India. It seems the Hijra community is working with the state to deal with the various issues of welfare in India. It's not much more than a blurb, but an interesting development for the community and a positive change.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
News: Kidnappers seal deal on stamp paper
Kidnapping stories are frequently heard in relation to the Hijra community. Here is another one. A young boy was kidnapped and found with a group of Hijras. The group reportedly made the father sign an agreement that he would not go to the police if the community was able to kidnap the boy again.
Here is what I am reading. Yes, a boy was kidnapped. It seems to happen frequently in the area and the cops seem useless. By useless, I mean uninterested. The article says the Hijras bought the boy from someone else. This simply insinuates the Hijras are buying kidnapped children, not kidnapping the boys themselves. While this is not a great association for the community, it clarifies these stories a bit. Also, I am not saying this activity is appropriate, but I have little room to judge. I am simply saying the constant charges of kidnapping are inaccurate and unfair in many circumstances.
Lastly, the article mentions nobody has been able to find this community of Hijras. Thus, the story is only from the father and is not confirmed by anyone else.
Here is what I am reading. Yes, a boy was kidnapped. It seems to happen frequently in the area and the cops seem useless. By useless, I mean uninterested. The article says the Hijras bought the boy from someone else. This simply insinuates the Hijras are buying kidnapped children, not kidnapping the boys themselves. While this is not a great association for the community, it clarifies these stories a bit. Also, I am not saying this activity is appropriate, but I have little room to judge. I am simply saying the constant charges of kidnapping are inaccurate and unfair in many circumstances.
Lastly, the article mentions nobody has been able to find this community of Hijras. Thus, the story is only from the father and is not confirmed by anyone else.
News: Memoirs of a Rebellious Volunteer
First, let me address the source of this article- CounterPunch. This newsletter and website are known for muckrack journalism. It is not unbiased, but neither is it obviously conservative or liberal. The point is to be deeply investigative. Take this source as you will.
Our article today comes from Michael Dickinson. He shares a story of his time volunteering in Calcutta with Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity. He makes a brief reference to an encounter he had with the Hijra community.
This article may not provide much in the way of research on the Hijras, but it may give you an idea of the life of other religious orders in India.
Our article today comes from Michael Dickinson. He shares a story of his time volunteering in Calcutta with Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity. He makes a brief reference to an encounter he had with the Hijra community.
This article may not provide much in the way of research on the Hijras, but it may give you an idea of the life of other religious orders in India.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
A Flurry of Activity
I got a Google Alert today with a ton of different articles.
1) Homosexuality and The Indian: This article deals with the paradox in the sexual culture of India. That is that many men engage in sex with other men, but do not identify themselves as homosexual. The Hijra community gets mentioned, in my interpretation, as a more acceptable way for men to exhibit more flagrant behavior. They justify their homosexuality with the idea that they are neither men nor women. It is an interesting article.
2) Varanasi Actor Living With Eunuchs for Real-Life Experience: This article is about an actor who is preparing for a movie role by living with the Hijra community.
3) We Have Come To Earn Salvation: This article deals with an effort to convert Hijras to Christianity during the Sitalsasti festival. There was no insinuation that they missionaries were trying to get the hijras to reconsider their life-style. It seems they just wanted to spread the word of Jesus.
4) Pakistan's Window of Opportunity to Prevent HIV: This article talks about the World Bank and Pakistan's chance to prevent the spread of HIV. It is well known that the Hijra community experiences high levels of HIV and AIDS due to unprotected sex. Pakistan currently has low numbers of people infected and the World Bank want to use this as the opportunity to educate and prevent.
5) Zombie Nation: This is a fun article about Bollywood horror movies. Zibahkhana or Hell's Ground is a horror movie in Pakistan that includes a bit of pop culture from rock music to the hijras. Sounds like a fun movie.
1) Homosexuality and The Indian: This article deals with the paradox in the sexual culture of India. That is that many men engage in sex with other men, but do not identify themselves as homosexual. The Hijra community gets mentioned, in my interpretation, as a more acceptable way for men to exhibit more flagrant behavior. They justify their homosexuality with the idea that they are neither men nor women. It is an interesting article.
2) Varanasi Actor Living With Eunuchs for Real-Life Experience: This article is about an actor who is preparing for a movie role by living with the Hijra community.
3) We Have Come To Earn Salvation: This article deals with an effort to convert Hijras to Christianity during the Sitalsasti festival. There was no insinuation that they missionaries were trying to get the hijras to reconsider their life-style. It seems they just wanted to spread the word of Jesus.
4) Pakistan's Window of Opportunity to Prevent HIV: This article talks about the World Bank and Pakistan's chance to prevent the spread of HIV. It is well known that the Hijra community experiences high levels of HIV and AIDS due to unprotected sex. Pakistan currently has low numbers of people infected and the World Bank want to use this as the opportunity to educate and prevent.
5) Zombie Nation: This is a fun article about Bollywood horror movies. Zibahkhana or Hell's Ground is a horror movie in Pakistan that includes a bit of pop culture from rock music to the hijras. Sounds like a fun movie.
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