The Hijras

In this paper, I explore the culture of the Hijras to learn how an outcast group that is looked down up on still has its role in traditional society. The Hijras are a transgender social group who are located amongst southern and mid-eastern Asia. They are a group of males who portray themselves as females in society and survive by engaging in begging and prostitution. They are also considered performers for special occasions in different societies. This group focuses on beliefs that are different from the beliefs of many other India cultures. Gender does not play a big role in their culture because they believe that there is no such thing as man or woman. Religion plays a major role in the construction of the Hijras, and it is one of the main reasons they still play a role in South Asian society. Even though they are looked down up on through out society, the Hijras are just one of many marginal groups in society that have unique social roles, and play a part in tradition society.
The Hijras acceptance with their feminine side makes them stand out from the rest of the social groups. The ancestors of past generations offered unique beliefs that set up the modern societies for the Hijras belief. The concept of making their ancestors proud carried on through our generations and it one of their religious beliefs. It was nothing but tradition that led the Hijras to making the decisions they did, and decisions that changed their views up on society. This was just a prime example of following tradition and sticking to the beliefs of their ancestors. Religion was one of the things that led them to their beliefs of gender.
Religion plays a major role in the construction of the Hijras. Most Hijras are of Hindu faith. Their beliefs from the Hindu faith are that sex is the key to everything. Having sex was like a blessing to the Hijras. The Kama Sutras are an example of third nature, which is similar to the Hijras. These beliefs through out the Hindus society shows the