Vakasalewalewa
Classification | Gender identity | ||||
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Other terms | |||||
Associated terms | Pinapinaaine | ||||
Demographics | |||||
Culture | Fijian | ||||
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Vakasalewalewa are people from Fiji, who were assigned male at birth but who have a feminine gender expression. In Fiji this is understood as a traditional third gender identity, culturally specific to the country.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
Etymology
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 is qauri, which is used to collectively describe all non-heteronormative male-bodied people in Fiji.[7] Another related term is viavialewa, which translates as "wanting to be a women".[8]
Vakasalewalewa is included in the acronym MVPFAFF+ (
History and culture
Colonial historical records are silent on the role of vakasalewalewa in Fijian society.
According to Joey Joleen Mataele, many vakasalewalewa work in hospitality industries.[3]
Reception
In Geir Henning Presterudsten's study of qauri communities, 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 as qauri.[11]
Notable vakasalewalewa
- Kalisito Biaukula - broadcaster and human rights activist.[14]
- Shaneel Lal - queer and indigenous rights activist.[15]
See also
References
- ^ Frequently Asked Questions: Sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status in the Pacific (PDF). United Nations. 2015.
- ISBN 978-0-313-32755-1.
- ^ a b "Governments have failed to protect trans people from murder -and from COVID-19". Amnesty International. 2020-11-20. Retrieved 2021-08-25.
- ^ 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.
- ISBN 978-1-317-00825-5.
- ISBN 978-1-000-18116-6.
- ^ Thompson, Tulia (2014). "Queer Lives in Fiji". researchspace.auckland.ac.nz. Retrieved 2021-08-25.
- ^ "From Fa'afafine to Fakaleitī: Understanding Pacific gender diversity". www.abc.net.au. 2019-08-30. Retrieved 2021-06-21.
- ^ Motuga, Ann-Tauilo (2022-02-23). "National health survey for Pasifika Rainbow+ is now open". TP+. Retrieved 2023-01-07.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-8248-4019-8.
- ISBN 978-0-89869-793-3.
- ^ Lal, Shaneel. "The Genderless Void: A review of ATUA". Pantograph Punch. Retrieved 2022-01-26.
- ^ "Youth". Make Your Voice Count. Retrieved 2021-08-25.
- ^ Magazine, Viva (18 December 2021). "People Of The Year: Shaneel Lal Is A Powerful Voice Of A Generation - Viva". www.viva.co.nz. Retrieved 2022-01-21.