Quote: "Two-spirit (originally termed Two Spirit and also known as two spirit or occasionally twospirited) is a modern, pan-Indian umbrella term used by some Indigenous North Americans to describe Native people in their communities who fulfill a traditional third-gender (or other gender-variant) ceremonial and social role in their cultures."
A term used by anthropologists to describe gender-variant individuals in Native American cultures, who may assume roles and dress traditionally associated with the opposite gender.
Cultural Anthropology: Berdache is a concept that emerged from cultural anthropology, and therefore it is necessary to understand the discipline to grasp the concept of Berdache.
Gender: An understanding of what is meant by gender and how it has been defined in different cultures is essential to understand the concept of Berdache.
Sexuality: The study of sexuality is integral to the study of Berdache as it is a representation of a different sexual orientation.
American Indian cultures and traditions: Berdache was primarily focussed in American Indian cultures where there is a cultural understanding of this gender and sexual orientation. Therefore, knowledge about these cultures and traditions is necessary.
Historical context: Berdache has been present throughout history in different cultures; understanding their interplay and influence is a crucial part of learning about Berdache.
Colonialism and its effects: Colonialism had a significant impact on the representation of Berdache, and it is important to understand its effects.
Religion and Spirituality: The role of religion and spirituality in the emergence and continuation of Berdache concepts should be studied.
Legal considerations: Legal considerations for the recognition of Berdache in modern society is a critical topic to cover.
Health and well-being: Berdache individuals may experience health and well-being issues due to discrimination and stigma in society. So, it is essential to consider their health and well-being.
Transgender and Queer Theory: Berdache has been associated with queer and transgender theories as it plays a role in redefining gender and sexual orientation.
Anthropological fieldwork: Ethnographic research provides an excellent perspective to understand Berdache more fully.
Representations in popular media: Berdache has been represented in mainstream media, which has influenced contemporary views of it.
Anthropological methods and ethics: Studying Berdache requires considering anthropological methods and ethics that work for the betterment of the community.
Mental Health: The mental health of Berdache people is also an important topic to be considered.
Critiquing representations of Berdache in anthropological studies: Berdache representation in anthropological studies should be critically reviewed for audience reception and unintended impacts.
Quote: "Coined in 1990 as a primarily ceremonial term, requiring community recognition..."
Quote: "In recent years more individuals have taken to self-identifying as two-spirit."
Quote: "Two-spirit, as a term and concept, is neither used nor accepted universally in Native American cultures."
Quote: "The initial intent in coining the term was to differentiate Indigenous concepts of gender and sexuality from those of non-Native lesbians and gays..."
Quote: "To replace the offensive, anthropological terms that were still in wide use."
Quote: "The term has experienced more academic and social acceptance than the derogatory anthropological term it replaced."
Quote: "Early adopters say two-spirit identity 'does not make sense' unless it is contextualized within a Native American or First Nations framework and traditional cultural understanding."
Quote: "It is frequently co-opted by non-Natives."
Quote: "Not all of these cultures have historically had roles for gender-variant people..."
Quote: "The gender nonconforming or third-gender, ceremonial roles traditionally embodied by some Native American and Indigenous peoples in Canada..."
Quote: "The roles varied widely, even among the Native individuals or cultures that use the term."
Quote: "Indigenous cultures that have traditional roles for gender-nonconforming people have names in their own, Indigenous languages for these people and the roles they fill in their communities."
Quote: "…no one Indigenous culture's gender or sexuality categories apply to all Native people."
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Quote: "While 'two-spirit' has been controversial since its adoption..."
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Quote: "The initial intent in coining the term was to differentiate Indigenous concepts of gender and sexuality from those of non-Native lesbians and gays..."
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Quote: "Coined in 1990 as a primarily ceremonial term, requiring community recognition..."