TRANSVESTITISM

Transvestitism: translation

Shamans in many culturesperformalternativegenderand other cultural, societal, and kinship roles different from those locally deemed “normal.” Some male shamans adopt thecostumeofwomen, while some female shamans adopt that of men. They may do so to indicate their difference from the rest of the community or to show that they have formed an intimate, even sexual and/or marital, relationship with anotherworld, other-than-human, orspiritperson of the same gender. Transvestitism may be temporary, a part of specific performances, or permanent, a sign of a distinctive everyday identity.