Samoan culture recognizes a third gender distinct from women
In short: In Samoa, faʻafafine are not simply men who dress as women or a byproduct of a lack of daughters. They are a distinct third gender whose femininity emerges in early childhood. While Western labels like gay or transgender overlap, they do not fully capture the unique cultural role faʻafafine play in Samoan society.
The term faʻafafine translates to 'in the manner of a woman.' Unlike some Western misconceptions, these individuals are not assigned this role at birth, nor are they raised as girls. Instead, their feminine identity often manifests early in life. While most faʻafafine self-identify as a third gender rather than as women, they maintain a clear distinction from females. In Samoa, this identity is so well-integrated that most people report having friendships with at least one faʻafafine, and they are visible across all sectors of society, from government work to caregiving.
Samoa's history provides a foundation for this acceptance. Evidence suggests the islands were under matriarchal rule for centuries before European contact. For example, Queen Salamasina ascended the throne in the 16th century through the maneuvering of female chieftains. Today, the culture continues to value the leadership of women and third-gender people; there are no restrictions on transferring chiefly titles to women or faʻafafine, and a substantial list of such chiefs exists in the historical record.
The role of faʻafafine is also tied to the tradition of tautua, or service to the family. They traditionally follow the training of women's daily work within the aiga (family group). From an evolutionary psychology perspective, some researchers suggest that androphilia—attraction to males—may have been societally advantageous. This hypothesis proposes that non-traditional roles provided 'avunculate support,' allowing families with faʻafafine and other non-traditional members more resources to dedicate to the success of their kin.
Legal and social dynamics remain complex. While the Crimes Act 2013 decriminalized 'female impersonation' to affirm faʻafafine rights, sodomy remains criminalized for two people assigned male at birth, carrying a maximum penalty of 5 years imprisonment. Furthermore, while faʻafafine are widely accepted, they still face pushback from some fundamentalist Christian groups and traditional leaders, and the slang term 'mala' (devastation) persists as a derogatory term rooted in homophobia.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Faʻafafine
- Also: Wikidata — faʻafafine · CC0
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/entertainment-fa-afafine.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Magazines · More in Entertainment · Latest · A–Z · All topics
