#aravanis

[ginazmemeoir]

before i go on a hiatus for two weeks here's my opinion

hijra is not a slur. neither is kinnar or aravani. respect hijras, kinnars and aravanis. they are transfolk and intersex people. no they are not non binary. yes they have existed for centuries. yes some people use the word like a slur in the same way some people try to use queer or gay as a slur, but that doesn't mean the word itself is a slur. please stop saying that its a slur. this pride month, please educate yourself on these communities if you're trying to learn more about historical trans communities, trans poc or in general support trans rights.

[goffjames]

Spotlight Art - Sailing in the Sea - Painting of the Day by Nidhi Patankar - Sea Glass - A Poem by Oliver Tearle - Waltzing on the Sand - Music video by Nikos Aravanis

Thoughts about the Painting “Sailing in the Sea” (Blue Water Sea) is a captivating contemporary expressionist abstract painting created by the talented artist Nidhi Patankar. The artwork features a mesmerizing colour palette consisting of various shades of blues, whites, yellows, reds, pinks, purples, and turquoise. These colours beautifully depict the reflections in the ocean and the sky,…

[rrcraft-and-lore]

In addition to my Monkey Man post from earlier, the always kind & sweet Aparna Verma (author of The Phoenix King, check it out) asked that I do a thread on Hijras, & more of the history around them, South Asia, mythology (because that's my thing), & the positive inclusion of them in Monkey Man which I brought up in my gushing review.

Hijra: They are the transgender, eunuch, or intersex people in India who are officially recognized as the third sex throughout most countries in the Indian subcontinent. The trans community and history in India goes back a long way as being documented and officially recognized - far back as 12th century under the Delhi Sultanate in government records, and further back in our stories in Hinduism. The word itself is a Hindi word that's been roughly translated into English as "eunuch" commonly but it's not exactly accurate.

Hijras have been considered the third sex back in our ancient stories, and by 2014 got official recognition to identify as the third gender (neither male or female) legally. Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and India have accepted: eunuch, trans, intersex people & granted them the proper identification options on passports and other government official documents.

But let's get into some of the history surrounding the Hijra community (which for the longest time has been nomadic, and a part of India's long, rich, and sometimes, sadly, troubled history of nomadic tribes/people who have suffered a lot over the ages. Hijras and intersex people are mentioned as far back as in the Kama Sutra, as well as in the early writings of Manu Smriti in the 1st century CE (Common Era), specifically said that a third sex can exist if possessing equal male and female seed.

This concept of balancing male/female energies, seed, and halves is seen in two places in South Asian mythos/culture and connected to the Hijra history.

First, we have Aravan/Iravan (romanized) - who is also the patron deity of the transgender community. He is most commonly seen as a minor/village deity and is depicted in the Indian epic Mahabharata. Aravan is portrayed as having a heroic in the story and his self-sacrifice to the goddess Kali earns him a boon.

He requests to be married before his death. But because he is doomed to die so shortly after marriage, no one wants to marry him.

No one except Krishna, who adopts his female form Mohini (one of the legendary temptresses in mythology I've written about before) and marries him. It is through this union of male, and male presenting as female in the female form of Mohini that the seed of the Hijras is said to begun, and why the transgender community often worships Aravan and, another name for the community is Aravani - of/from Aravan.

But that's not the only place where a gender non conforming divine representation can be seen. Ardhanarishvara is the half female form of lord Shiva, the destroyer god.

Shiva combines with his consort Parvarti and creates a form that represents the balancing/union between male/female energies and physically as a perfectly split down the middle half-male half-female being. This duality in nature has long been part of South Asian culture, spiritual and philosophical beliefs, and it must be noted the sexuality/gender has often been displayed as fluid in South Asian epics and the stories. It's nothing new.

Many celestial or cosmic level beings have expressed this, and defied modern western limiting beliefs on the ideas of these themes/possibilities/forms of existence.

Ardhanarishvara signifies "totality that lies beyond duality", "bi-unity of male and female in God" and "the bisexuality and therefore the non-duality" of the Supreme Being.

Back to the Hijra community.

They have a complex and long history. Throughout time, and as commented on in the movie, Monkey Man, the Hijra community has faced ostracization, but also been incorporated into mainstream society there. During the time of the Dehli Sultanate and then later the Mughal Empire, Hijras actually served in the military and as military commanders in some records, they were also servants for wealthy households, manual laborers, political guardians, and it was seen as wise to put women under the protection of Hijras -- they often specifically served as the bodyguards and overseers of harems. A princess might be appointed a Hijra warrior to guard her.

But by the time of British colonialism, anti-Hijra laws began to come in place folded into laws against the many nomadic tribes of India (also shown in part in Monkey Man with Kid (portrayed by Dev Patel) and his family, who are possibly

one of those nomadic tribes that participated in early theater - sadly by caste often treated horribly and relegated to only the performing arts to make money (this is a guess based on the village play they were performing as no other details were given about his family).

Hijras were criminalized in 1861 by the Indian Penal Code enforced by the British and were labeled specifically as "The Hijra Problem" -- leading to an anti-Hijra campaign across the subcontinent with following laws being enacted: punishing the practices of the Hijra community, and outlawing castration (something many Hijra did to themselves). Though, it should be noted many of the laws were rarely enforced by local Indian officials/officers. But, the British made a point to further the laws against them by later adding the Criminal Tribes Act in 1871, which targeted the Hijra community along with the other nomadic Indian tribes - it subjected them to registration, tracking/monitoring, stripping them of children, and their ability to sequester themselves in their nomadic lifestyle away from the British Colonial Rule.

Today, things have changed and Hijras are being seen once again in a more positive light (though not always and this is something Monkey Man balances by what's happened to the community in a few scenes, and the heroic return/scene with Dev and his warriors). All-hijra communities exist and sort of mirror the western concept of "found families" where they are safe haven/welcoming place trans folks and those identifying as intersex.

These communities also have their own secret language known as Hijra Farsi, which is loosely based on Hindi, but consists of a unique vocabulary of at least 1,000 words.

As noted above, in 2014, the trans community received more legal rights.

Specifically: In April 2014, Justice K. S. Radhakrishnan declared transgender to be the third gender in Indian law in National Legal Services Authority v. Union of India.

Hijras, Eunuchs, apart from binary gender, be treated as "third gender" for the purpose of safeguarding their rights under Part III of our Constitution and the laws made by the Parliament and the State Legislature. Transgender persons' right to decide their self-identified gender is also upheld and the Centre and State Governments are directed to grant legal recognition of their gender identity such as male, female or as third gender.

I've included some screenshots of (some, not all, and certainly not the only/definitive reads) books people can check out about SOME of the history. Not all again. This goes back ages and even our celestial beings/creatures have/do display gender non conforming ways.

There are also films that touch on Hijra history and life. But in regards to Monkey Man, which is what started this thread particularly and being asked to comment - it is a film that positively portrayed India's third sex and normalized it in its depiction. Kid the protagonist encounters a found family of Hijras at one point in the story (no spoilers for plot) and his interactions/acceptance, living with them is just normal. There's no explaining, justifying, anything to/for the audience. It simply is. And, it's a beautiful arc of the story of Kid finding himself in their care/company.

[teaah-art]

Desi LGBT Fest 2023 (hosted by @desi-lgbt-fest)

Day 2 : Legacy

Ghoonghat : A Portrait of The South Asian Third Gender

CW : Colonialism, Transphobia, Homophobia, Casteism

TW : Transphobia, Homophobia, Slur usage

South Asian history has ALWAYS been queer. We have ALWAYS had gender nonconformity as an integral part of our society. Yet, the modern Indian "conservative" view somehow points fingers to alleged western influence or modernization when it comes to queer visibility, fabricating a fundamental disconnect between South Asian culture and queer identities that was never supposed to be there. Why? What may have caused this mental divide? The answer might lie in systemic barriers built during the British Raj and the lasting consequences of that.

Third Gender identities such as the Kothi, Hijra, Khwaja Sira, Aravanis, and more are queer identities native to South Asia. No existing lgbtq label in usage in the Anglosphere describes them accurately and while 'Transgender' does serve as a viable umbrella term, it doesn't quite catch all the nuances. The term 'Third Gender' as a phrase does come close to distinguishing the identity as its own unique label, despite the term 'Third Gender' once again, being a western terminology tracing back to the 1860s which was once again proposed in a non-South Asian context and would still only serve as a broad umbrella term. Having said that, I will still continue to use 'Third Gender' to refer to these communities here because most of the names have been and do get frequently used as a slur. While much gets discussed in the anglosphere about slur reclamation in lgbtq+ spaces, South Asian queer dialogues aren't that well organized and not being a Third Gender person myself, I am hesitant and unsure of the appropriate use for community specific terms, which again vary from region to region.

History of South Asian Third Gender communities traces back to AT LEAST medieval era, if not farther back. While roots are hard to trace back and South Asian queer history may not be as linear and resolved as one may want to think, stigmatization of Third Gender communities along with other queer labels can certainly be traced back to colonial times. Section 377 of the British Colonial Penal Code, enforced in 1862 criminalized any sexual acts that were deemed 'against the order of nature' and was meant to systemically target homosexuality, sodomy, and any sexual nonconformity in the British colonies of the time. The Criminal Tribes Act of 19th and 20th century British regime in South Asia, that set out to profile hundreds of castes, tribes, and communities as 'hereditary criminals' (237 communities as of 1931), also included Third Gender communities and likely reinforced the queerphobia in society that Section 377 may have already established.

At the time of independence, when the Criminal Tribes Act was scrapped from the Indian constitution, but Section 377 remained. This means, as of 1950, you could legally present as a Third Gender individual, you could be in Third Gender communes in public and would no longer be arrested for it! But if you came out of the closet for say, being gay, or bi, you could still end up in jail. Not to mention that about 200 years of queerphobia, systemic queerphobia, does not change in a day despite legal reforms. So in 1950, when we were in a position where being gnc had legal immunity but being non-heteronormative didn't, Third Gender folks were put in a unique position where they could push for change. And push, they certainly did! I should note here that my discussion here of any legal reforms past 1950 would be limited to India since I am an Indian citizen and know Indian systems the best.

In 1994, India recognized Third Gender communities as a legal sex separate from the gender binary. This came with voting rights, right to contest in elections as a Third Gender person, right to legally LIVE as a third gender person, and more. On the state level, Third Gender activism ensured affirmative action for trans people not only for government jobs but also corporate jobs. Pension plans, welfare coverage, medical insurance, and even systemic changes towards establishing legal measures against gender discrimination. Despite the social stigma, despite their community names being used as literal slurs, Third Gender people have been at the forefront of every single South Asian queer activism and they have been WINNING!

I wish they got the recognition they rightfully deserve outside of South Asia as well. Current global queer activism is at a crossroads where trans exclusion has taken roots even in parts of the community. A lot of the exclusionary activism stems from the regimes and mentality that have a history in South Asia of erasing and colonising queer history. Is it so surprising then, that these regimes elevated bigots to power who further the same narrative they've been peddling since as far back as the 19th century? Shouldn't, then, Third Gender voices and activism inspire persevering and continuing to persevere against those very same barriers?

Third Gender erasure, reclamation, and activism is South Asian legacy, a story of resisting colonial structures, status quo, and systemic oppression. It is high time it gained visibility in international queer spaces.

Some articles to read under the cut (likely far more credible than my rant). Heavy TW for Transphobia and Homophobia for nearly all of the articles.

Shabnam Mausi - India's first trans Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA)

The whole debacle with the 2019 Trans Rights Bill

The Hijra community and their plight during the pandemic

A Tamil Third Gender perspective on community labels

The Khwaja Siras of Pakistan and their legislative battles

A Bangladeshi ally's conundrum on what term to use for Third Gender communities

[bhosdi-wala-ladka]

Mural by Aravani Art Project in New Delhi, India, celebrating Transgender community of India.

[ladyimaginarium]

𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐄𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐬𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠

𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: Use your intuition and scroll to the bottom to receive your message based on this lovely spread by Labyrinthos!

𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐫: take what resonates, leave the rest of what doesn't & don't force anything if it doesn't fit your situation, keep in mind that energy and outcomes can always change & nothing is forever set in stone, you have free will in every choice you make !! keep in mind that this is a general collective reading so the messages here may not apply to everyone. as a general message: my readings are for entertainment purposes only and don't replace professional medical/legal/business help. feedback and a review after a reading is given, whether public or private, is obligatory. you can do that by reblogging, dming or emailing us privately on the matter. if you do not provide this, you will be added to my greylist and won't be given anymore readings, free or paid, until you give feedback which you can fill out in the form listed down below. don't just leave this in the likes, reblog and support your tarot readers, my time and labour aren't for free. while it isn't necessary, if you'd like to tip, my paypal's below. I have personal paid readings available which you can fill out the form below so tips, bookings & feedback are highly appreciated considering i plan to do this for a living!

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𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐤𝐬 𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝: Tarot Of The Divine: Inspired By Deities, Folklore & Fairytales From Around The World.

Four Of Wands: You may be getting some goods news, y'all !! The Four Of Wands is generally a very happy card. Whatever this is, this is gonna be different for all of you, whether it's a reunion with an old friend, a lover or a family member you've been wanting to reconnect with, a success, going to a cool party or a cool place, maybe even for some of y'all I'm& getting that y'all could even be getting engaged or married & whatever this is, that's awesome !! I& feel like a lot of y'all feel like you won't deserve this, but I'm& telling you, you absolutely do. You don't need to "earn" happiness no matter what anybody tells you, that's your birthright. I& need you to cherish that moment, fuck the past, fuck the future, this is YOUR moment. This is pure happiness. You deserve this. Rejoice. India could be significant to you, Indian culture could be significant to you, you yourself could be Indian or have Indian ancestry, the deity Mohini (the only female avatar of the deity Vishnu) and Aravan (he appears in the Hindu epic Mahabharata, the son of Pandava prince Arjuna one of the main heroes of Mahabharata & the Naga princess Ulupi, he is the central deity of the religion of Kuttantavar & plays a major role in the sect of Draupadi, he's worshipped in the form of his severed head as an offering to the goddess Kali to ensure the success of the Pandavas & is believed to cure diseases & induce pregnancy in childless women, & is worshipped as a village deity, a patron god of well known trans and/or intersex and/or eunuch communities in India called Alis, Aravani in Tamil & Hijra throughout South Asia such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh & Nepal although the Hijra community in India prefer to call themselves Kinnar or Kinner while in Pakistan, they are called Khawaja Sira, that originated in ancient Hinduism & evolved during the Delhi Sultanate from 1226-1526 to the Mughal Empire from 1526-1707 where they were servants for elite households, manual laborers, military commanders, political advisors, & guardians of the harem, most of whom are AMAB though occasionally intersex & have a feminine gender expression; on the night before the battle, Aravan expressed a desire to get married before he died, no woman was willing to marry a man doomed to die in a few hours, so Mohini married him, hijras claim Aravan as their progenitor and call themselves aravanis) could be significant (I&... IF THIS APPLIES TO A LOVE SITUATION ARE Y'ALL T4T), you yourself could be a Hijra, you could be Hindu or follow deities from Hinduism. The number 4 could be significant, but then again, this IS the 4th month of the year. The Suit of Wands represents the Fire element so Aries, Sagittarius & Leo could be important. Whatever it is, have fun !

The Moon: This is extremely ironic considering this question represents the moon & your subconscious. I& feel like you may have a lot of hidden feelings about this situation or a person. I& think you spent so long thinking everything isn't going to work out that when finally something or someone that does come around that makes you happy, you're afraid. I& feel like for a lot of y'all, y'all are some real melancholic anguished people. Maybe it's because of a past wound, a mistake, insecurity or for some of you maybe even a trauma that tells you don't deserve happiness especially regarding this situation or you feel like it's gonna be torn & ripped away from you & that's honestly really sad. You deserve to feel good about yourself & your life. I& ironically enough get a lot of traumatized people who come to my& readings & I'm& a DID system so that shouldn't be too surprising, I& guess. The number 18 could be significant, whether it's a day, a lifepath or a birthday. Japan could be significant, Japanese culture could be significant, you yourself could be Japanese or have Japanese heritage yourself, the Princess Kaguya from either traditional Japanese folklore and/or Naruto could be significant, tanukis could be significant, too. The Moon is ruled by Cancer so you could be a Cancerian or have those placements.

King Of Cups: You need to address your compassion for yourselves my& loves. See, how this story goes with the Boy & The Dragon Pearl is that this fierce, powerful dragon was once a little boy. I& think you have to delve into your past wounds & ask yourself why you feel this way & why you feel the ways that you do. Dragons are highly sacred creatures in Chinese mythology & they are powerful & wise, but instead of controlling & breathing fire like their Western counterparts, these dragons manipulate water. Your consciousness wants you to address your life & what brought you here & have patience & compassion for yourself above all else. You already have the potential to become this glorious dragon. You deserve devotion, loyalty, & faithfulness & generosity towards yourself & if you have a partner or for the ones who could be getting engaged or married, let them in. If they love you, they'll be there. You don't have to do this alone anymore. Let this person (or people) help you. China could be significant, Chinese culture could be significant, you yourself could be Chinese and/or have Chinese ancestry, dragons may be significant to you, you or someone significant to you could've been born on the Year of The Dragon (1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, for some people I'm getting you or someone you know could even be pregnant & your baby or the baby of someone you know will be born in 2024) you yourself could be dragonkin if you resonate with the otherkin or alterhuman label, if you're a system you could have dragon system members, and the Suit of Cups controls the Water element so Cancer, Scorpio & Pisces may be significant, which is ironic because I'm& both a Cancerian & a Dragon so I& needed that too, ehehe.

The Tower: This just confirmed my& suspicions, yeah. The Tower represents a massive change, an upheaval, a catastrophe, a revelation or sometimes even trauma. I& feel like for a lot of you, you need to let whatever this traumatic incident go in order to advance in your life. Believe me&, I& know how hard that is, I'm& not saying this is gonna happen overnight, & this isn't me& saying "shut up & get over it", this is me& saying "if you're going to see everyone the way you did this situation, it's not going to end well & you may end up pushing people who are genuinely trying to help you away" but you're going to need to at least try & work on whatever this incident was. Whatever it was, this was unfair to you & it didn't deserve to happen to you. It's okay to leave this behind so you can move forward in your life. But you don't have to face this alone, okay? There are people who are willing to help you. If you need it & have the means, contact a therapist and/or a medical professional. The number 16 could be significant, the Tower is ruled by Aries so that could be significant which is ironic because this is Aries season, Germany may be significant to you, German culture could be significant, you yourself could be German or have German ancestry, the Princess Rapunzel could be significant as well (for some of you, maybe you even have long hair, whether it's natural or wigs ehehe!), I'm& getting for some of y'all, the movie Tangled could be significant & it may have some subliminal messages for you.

The Sun: With the tower crumbling down, the sun will always rise again & again. You can begin a new life for yourself. As Ethel Cain once said, "if it's meant to be, it will be". I& know it's hard but you can do it. Your path can have illumination, satisfaction, optimism & enthusiasm. You can feel joy again. Everything is going to be okay. The number 19 could be significant to you, Egypt could be significant to you, Egyptian culture may be significant, you yourself could be Egyptian, the Egyptian sun deity Ra could be significant or you may even work with him as a devotee or he may be reaching out to you & want to work with you, you yourself could be a Kemetic.

The Hierophant: The Sun, Moon, Past & Future want you to know that you have to balance yourself in order to walk this new path & grow from your experiences. The Hierophant represents tradition, compassion & legacy; there is a place for everyone & everyone has a place in the world. I& can confirm this. As an indigenous person, I've& been taught by my& elders that everyone & everything has a place in the world. Connect to your community & likeminded people, connect (or reconnect if applicable) to your culture(s) & if you have a faith with a spiritual leader that you trust, seek their advice. Help people out & especially those in need if you have the means to do so. Let your loved ones know you love them & how much they mean to you. The number 5 could be significant, you yourself could be indigenous to Turtle Island / North America or have indigenous ancestry (hi bestie!!!!), some of you may be Lakota yourselves, & the White Buffalo Woman could be significant to you. If you're Native, do me& a favor & smudge the shit out of your space besties. For the rest of you, protect Native women & hold Native girls, women & Two Spirits in your hearts.

[queermuslimarchives]

Hijra (ہیجڑا)

Hijra is a pejorative term, mostly used in South Asia for transgender woman, eunuch, transvestite, androgynous, non-binary & intersex individuals. They lives in well-organized households and communities, led by a guru. Hijra community have a distinct subculture, secret language, cults and traditions. Hijra individuals maintain non-binary & matrilineal kinship within their community. Not all south asian trans femme, non-binary, queer folks are part of Hijra subculture.

Traditionally, the hijra are known as individual of “separate gender” in South Asian society. Most hijras are born as male and very few are born as intersex. Most Hijras present themselves in feminine attire, while other may present themselves in masculine or androgynous attire. The hijra use feminine name & pronoun for themselves. While other may use masculine & gender-neutral name & pronoun. The hijra are officially recognized as ''Third gender'' in Bangladesh, Pakistan, India & Nepal.

The word “Hijra” came from the Arabic word Hijr. While others argue that the word came from the Farsi word Hīj. In Arabic, Hijra literally means migration, leaving own tribe/clan. In broadest definition it means spiritual transformation, transcending boundaries. Despite having a sacred meaning, the word hijra has become a slurr in most parts of South Asia.

In India, many transgender folks like to avoid hijra for themselves. Instead they prefer Kinnar/Kinner, Shiv-shakti, Aravani, Mangala-mukhi, Moonaam Lingam, Kothi, Thritiya Linga, Tirunangais, Thirunangai, Tirunaṅkai, Thirunambi, Khwaja sira, Trans man, Trans Woman, Non-binary, Brihannala, Shikandi, etc for themselves. In Pakistan, hijra term is mostly used in a derogatory manner. This is why, non-hijra transgender & hijra transgender folks preferred Khawaja sara/Khwajasira, Mukhannath, Mutajannas, Moorat for themselves.

History

The existence of hijras or eunuchs first documented in the royal harems of Delhi Sultanate.In the 7th century, Hijras became trusted servants in the Mughal courts. (Please note:The term eunuch in reference to hijras or transgender in southeast asia is now considered pejorative; however, historical research finds the terms eunuch and hijra used interchangeably).

In those days, Hijras or transgenders were allowed to travel freely between men’s quarter and women's quarter, administrate the royal harem, & take care of the harem's children. Different travelogues documented that Hijras were also “intimate servants” and “beloved” of kings, princes, queens & princesses. During the mughal era, Hijra community played important roles in royal court,in royal households,in diplomatic and military affairs.

During the colonialism:

Mass Persecution of hijras/gender variants & gays in Indian subcontinent started during the British colonialism. In early 1850s, British colonial authorities deployed various strategies to eradicate India's gender & sexual minorities, whom they saw as "a breach of public decency." Further Britishers viewed hijras as incapable of moral transformation & assimilation. Therefore, they were subjected to eliminatory policies. In 1860, hijras became subjected to anti-sodomy law Section 377 which allowed British authorities to prosecute hijras (for their existence).

In 1861, authorities of the North-Western Provinces (NWP) sought to enact a 'Special law' against hijras/gender variants. By 1870, no high-ranking British officials argued against the implementation of special legislation to address the 'hijra problem; thus solidifying a violent anti-hijra campaign all across the Indian subcontinent. Anti-hijra laws were enacted; whereas a law outlawing castration, a central part of the hijra community (although not required for community membership), crossdressing, community gathering, ritual practices. The hijra were included in the Criminal Tribes Act of 1871 and labelled a "criminal tribe", now subjected to compulsory registration,strict monitoring, and stigmatization. Because of economic costs, which were the main impetus behind British colonialism, Hijras and other so-called "criminal tribes" were unable to be collectively sequestered from colonial society. This act forced the hijra community to go underground. British authorities considered “eunuchs” responsible for sodomy, kidnapping, and castrating male children (Hinchy 2019). Although the Criminal Tribe Act was rescinded in 1952, a collective memory still paints hijras as historical gender deviants with a criminalized sexual variance. After independence, hijras survived these barbaric colonial extermination attempts.However, the centuries-old stigma & shame continues as transphobic legacy in Southeast Asia.

Culture & Lifestyle

Transgender, MTF transvestite, effeminate/kothi, non-binary, and intersex individuals who live in Hijra community must undergo an initiation rite. Through this initiation rite, one can be a part of hijra community. Many hijras practice castration & emasculation, for attaining a high level of spirituality & sacredness. Not all hijras do castration.

The hijra gharanas are symbolic units of lineage, called a house, guiding the overall schematic outlining of the social organization of the hijra community in Indian Subcontinent. Hijras community follow a guru-chela kinship system, in which guru leads her chelas, provide them money, foods,shelter & other resources. This kinship originally developed on the basis of sufi discipleship of Pir-Mureed. In hijra community guru called their chelas daughters or son & chelas called their guru mother. Guru's guru are called nani guru (sometimes grandma). Nani gurus has the highest rank within hijra community.

They usually earn their money by collecting donations, ritual blessings (badhai), begging in streets, singing & dancing in social occasions, sex work. Collecting donations or alms, ritual blessing, sex work are common sources for their income. But now they are quitting such professions & doing various works for living.

[crossdreamers]

Trans Women add Beautiful Murals to Metro Stations in India

In a bid to create environment-friendly green zones, transgender women working for the Transgender Art Project have been painting murals in metro stations across Chennai, in Tamil Nadu in India.

News 18 reports that one artist, Kanchana, danced in stage performances for many years and received mural training from her group. She said that she has painted in many cities:

She explained how transgender people continue to experience numerous taunts and exclusions from the society and that with these paintings, they are demonstrating their ability to overcome these obstacles.

The Aravani Art Project is using the medium of murals to empower India’s transgender community all over the country. 

Below see some trans women painting a mural on a wall in the car parking lot of Chennai Central Metro Rail station (Photo S.R.Raghunathan).

[worldnewsindex]

Campaign launched to shape new Museum of London – Interview with Digital Curator Foteini Aravani https://worldnewsindex.com/entertainment-news/campaign-launched-to-shape-new-museum-of-london-interview-with-digital-curator-foteini-aravani/2022/11/29/

[frenchbulletin]

De Wind Hellas à Toyota Hellas, avec pour objectif de conserver la 1ère position

De Wind Hellas à Toyota Hellas, avec pour objectif de conserver la 1ère position

De Foti Fotinos Changement de « bâton » chez Toyota Hellas, qui a annoncé hier la nomination de M. Hermann Riedl au poste de directeur général de l’entreprise, suite au départ à la retraite de M. Aristidis Aravani. M. Riedl débutera chez Toyota Hellas en tant que MD Designate le 1er novembre et, après une période d’intégration, assumera le rôle de PDG à partir du 1er janvier 2023. M. Riedl…

[444names]

tolkienesque and dutch forenames + the entire telerin dictionary BUT excluding "j"

Aaldog Aardan Aardush Aarnouk Abandrie Abathatta Abelepempë Abelingol Abrandin Aclas Adelion Affelaróf Alace Alada Alambë Alcara Aldad Aldog Alimb Alingwë Alink Almaradin Ambadia Amrahamûl Amrodel Ancis Andil Andle Andreal Andreder Anfaug Anguage Annacë Annempë Antar Anthien Antië Anárin Aplador Aradia Aragoround Aragund Aragundate Arand Arander Arandor Arandur Arantius Araphoris Arath Aravanie Areth Argeleriën Argond Ariam Arnound Arnouser Artinutive Artips Arwendil Asfallory Assarant Assion Asticë Athingol Ausirion Aways Baldacil Balimil Balinen Baranname Bards Bastreat Batta Belem Belendur Berena Betweendor Blung Bombar Bomburin Borhook Boromas Brasp Breca Bregil Broth Bryttacë Calatan Calcaras Calet Calide Calls Calmir Calmothe Canarmane Canatelu Carcil Cardan Castiaan Catharo Celendur Celer Chrish Christ Ciril Cirimb Cirya Class Clima Climon Closefien Colaas Conso Consta Coppen Coppenya Copperik Cornel Corneliaan Cottongue Cound Crooch Crown Curufing Curufinwë Círda Círdaned Damir Delion Derion Deórwin Dimilzôr Dimin Dreth Duine Duitatan Eatrid Ecthor Eduardse Elang Elegon Elegortha Elerion Elfhil Elfwing Elmoth Elronwë Elven Elwindex Elwindil Emmaith Enedhros Eneke Eneter Eneth Engon Eorliminda Eregiond Ereth Esméago Estefan Eärens Eärwended Falla Fally Farathori Ferumorgon Fielservi Fienewed Fifthak Finard Findárin Fivelya Folcwingwë Forman Forsakalta France Frecht Friel Frienna Fundómie Futurge Fëanountar Galatárion Galdaron Galmo Gampë Gerardané Gerondour Gildur Gimloth Girim Girlies Glanairë Glandis Glandreat Glanguage Glaurindil Gluin Goelendir Goldo Goldor Goldórin Goroth Gothe Grambel Grathôr Greatriden Grimbe Grist Gwine Gáial Habita Habition Hadonna Halber Halda Haldary Haldor Handatel Handor Hannatar Hannes Harena Harpen Hastrick Heconsta Helineke Hengerard Hereth Highth Holdor Huberries Hubert Hyarm Idrict Iends Ilúvata Iminutive Iminyata Inded Indir Inglir Inund Inzilas Iriaan Isilmar Isilmart Isumbrahil Ivrind Kúviene Landacil Landir Langue Leecht Leentië Lenata Lephine Limandalf Limon Lindomiek Lothends Lotton Lucalentë Léodwyn Lúthir Maart Maarth Maarticle Mablue Mablunga Maianybody Maitë Malland Mandré Mandurinie Mantinglor Marion Mattârik Maximinyë Meldur Menderik Menemir Michem Mieldur Minalca Mindil Mindor Minite Minundacar Minutive Namedical Narth Nearlas Neigh Neight Neighth Nelegold Nelies Neterion Niendur Nimber Néthar Nólimë Ohtantar Ordse Ornen Orondor Orophing Orothendil Paladoc Palambë Palat Parthumo Particulo Passa Passion Pendalgrim Pendo Pendur Pengoldog Penia Penya Perion Piendia Pienke Pienor Pools Professa Purposepha Ratancis Rather Reflecthor Refuse Refuserion Regolla Rence Rench Rendil Renduimë Rened Renetya Ressa Restive Riendil Rolled Rollittle Ruinus Rómenna Sabitation Saerin Sakalta Sakenbram Samuelia Sarumavia Sarumbrant Scath Scathain Seria Serin Severt Shadrie Shagramba Shelemnard Silmacil Snowmantir Someborin Sowned Splendur Stamir Substamir Taraharman Telebrind Telperië Telpë Telum Tentë Therumb Thien Thineke Thorish Thoronding Thrandur Thrant Threes Théod Tilind Timehtar Tollo Tolodelia Tolodelwë Tolodh Tolody Tonguage Trace Trach Treal Treatrict Tredhelish Truud Tweendire Túrion Uftharo Ulfangue Urgon Urgoth Urung Urunga Urwendor Valachim Valadon Valaróf Valenaat Valeth Vania Vaniel Vanna Vanne Vannempë Vardanga Vigor Vigorbag Vigorn Volaas Volas Vorot Wally Whoeven Wilheid Wilhel Willepen Wounda Woundir Wountius Yavalemir Yavarë Yáviel Yúnec Zimrapher Zimras Éomebor Íries

[glendaportfolio]

For my first Mumbai video feature, I spent time with transgender women artists who are part of the Aravani Art Project an art collective enpowering transgender people in public spaces across Indian cities where they face harassment and abuse 

[beyondthepunchlines]

In India, there is a belief to take blessings from transgender people, often referred to as Hijras, Kinner, Aravani, Aravuni, Jogappa, etc. You will be astonished to know that, besides giving blessings, some of the trans people in India are actively involved in social activities which actually are blessing our whole nation and ultimately making this world a better place. https://www.beyondthepunchlines.com/indian-trans-people-who-are-making-this-world-a-better-place/ #india #people #lgbtq #lgbtcommunity #equalrights #socialwelfare #betterindia #contentwriting #articlewriting https://www.instagram.com/p/CdahpgRKbPz/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[gerardbillet]

Un séminaire d’actualité brulante. #fondationhellenique #ciupparis #universiteparis1 #pantheonsorbonne #patrimonialisation #batiments #réfugiés #1922 #mariagravaribarbas #kotsaki #polyzos #tournikiotis #amygdalou #aravanis #belavilas #trova #vazakas #volos #ierapetea #hastaoglu #architecture #instapic #photooftheday #parismaville (à Fondation Hellenique de la Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cb--xaUruCk/?utm_medium=tumblr

[ushagold-blog]