Hijras: History And Characteristics Of This Community In India
Hijras are neither considered men nor women, but are a mix of both genders, what they themselves call the “third gender.” This community lives in India and its origins are very ancient; In fact, at the time when the Mughal Empire took over India (16th century) hijras were already documented holding important positions, such as caring for the emperor’s children and as state advisors.
In this article we will try to provide a brief profile of this community, one of the most stigmatized in India and which is currently vigorously demanding its rights. Since hijras use the feminine to talk about themselves, in this article we will also use it to refer to themselves.
As we have already mentioned, it is one of the oldest communities in India, and also one of the most underrated. It wasn’t always like this, however. During ancient times and later during the Mughal period, Hijras enjoyed enormous popularity and respect among Hindus, and also among Muslims. It was not until the arrival of the British that what had once been admiration and respect was transformed into stigma. Since then, hijra communities have survived with great difficulties, and many of them have had to engage in prostitution to survive.
Although we can also find women, the usual thing is that the members of hijra communities are men who do not identify with this gender. These hijras leave their hair long, put on makeup, use perfume and wear feminine clothes: beautiful saris and veils, and a great profusion of earrings, necklaces and bracelets. Most of them have suffered discrimination (and even mistreatment) within their families, who do not accept their identity, and have been forced to flee and form communities with other hijras.
Hijras live in communities (gharanas) run by a nayak, who is usually the oldest hijra. The nayak is the guru principal, but each of the hijras has its own teacher, and each can be the teacher of another hijra. The group of female disciples are cheelas (sisters).
Generally, hijras give their blessings in exchange for money so that they can have an income in their community. But, as the social stigma is still strong, they are often forced to beg to survive. Many others end up in the dark world of prostitution, with the terrible consequences that this entails: abuse and infections of venereal diseases, including HIV
Castration is an option that many of them carry out, but it is not mandatory to be part of a hijra community. Living in a community does not imply a renunciation of sexual life either: the practice of sex is completely free and a personal choice.
The third gender in Indian culture
If hijras currently experience clear stigmatization, this was not the case in ancient India, as we have already mentioned. In fact, The Hindu religion perfectly contemplates the third gender because their gods have, at the same time, masculine and feminine energy.
Indeed; In Hindu mythology, the male gods (the deva) always have at their side shakti or feminine energy. Gods and goddesses are not seen as separate figures, as is the case in other mythologies, but rather they are two sides of the same coin. A single male god, as well as a single female goddess, are theological errors Divinity is always masculine and feminine.
Krishna and the soldier Aravana, the origin of the hijras
In it Mahabharataone of the books of Hinduism (3rd century BC), hijras are mentioned as kinnars. The book also tells the story of god Krishna and the soldier Aravana The myth says that Aravana, son of Krishna’s cousin, lamented the night before going into battle that he was going to die without having slept with a woman. It was true that he could marry that very night, but what woman would want to marry a man who, the next day, could be dead?
Aravana cried inconsolably, and Krishna, moved by his pain, transformed into a woman, Mohini, and married him. When Aravana died the next day in battle, Mohini mourned her husband and dressed as a widow.
The hijras take that legend and make it their own. In fact, In southern India they are also called aravanis, in honor of the soldier Every spring, communities of hijras go on pilgrimage to Koovagam to celebrate a festival that commemorates history. There, the hijras dress up as brides, “marry” Aravana and celebrate the event with a lively and colorful party. Then, they break their jewellery, dress as widows and mourn the death of the soldier, just as Mohini mourned him.
Hijras in Indian popular culture
Despite the increasing marginalization that hijras have suffered since colonialism (and which, unfortunately, still exists today), these communities are held in high esteem by the people of India. Today, the admiration and respect that, in the past, was lavished on hijras, continue to prevail among the popular classes.
In fact, hijras are still called today to bless births, weddings and other events, since they are recognized as bearers of divinity by living with both genders. For the people, the hijras are the living expression of the gods, those who summarize duality in their being.
But be careful, because if hijras can give their blessing, it is believed that they can also curse. This is why people who require their favors are very careful to compensate them with food, saris or, directly, money.
What is the future of hijras?
Currently, hijra communities in India are strongly demanding their rights, so forgotten during the last centuries. The majority live very simply, often almost destitute; Their situation is worsened by the Indian government’s ban on street begging. Some, in order to live, continue to dedicate themselves to prostitution.
On September 6, 2018, a small-big step forward was taken. India finally decriminalized homosexuality and removed it from the Penal Code. A year later, at the Kumbh Mela (the sacred pilgrimage of Hinduism that takes place four times every twelve years), the hijras reclaimed the space they had lost in the Hindu religion and Indian society. Currently, it is estimated that there are more than 2 million hijras in India, fighting for real equality of rights and access to a dignified life free of stigma.
