INTERNATIONAL

News from other countries; translations and selections from homophile magazines abroad.

India's Hijras by

Harry Otis

D.F

An HIJRA, male or female? To all outward appearances, a female; anyone hearing one of his names-Sakina, Hashina, Chameli, Seethra would be reminded of a Muslim woman. In his brilliant, floral patterned sari, the gold bracelets, rings and bangles on his dark skin, the mark of a moon or a star on his forehead and his long hair pinned behind his head it is often difficult to distinguish him from a woman. Altho his feet are unmistakably masculine, the languorous grace in his slender hands and wrists is definitely feminine, his ever undulating hipsHijra.

Is he mild-tempered, shy? Hardly. On a street car he definitely refuses to pay his fare, nor dare the conductor demand it. No Indian has a sharper tongue nor knows more abusive words which an Hijra uses unsparingly

whenever a birth occurs in a village and he dances in front of the infant's home. It is the same at other festivals throughout India. In Bombay at the of the DEEPALI every house is lighted with many candles and oil lamps. In small groups Hijras dance in the houses and in front of shops. They demand money and get it.

There is a pooja called Chat which is for the people of Biharana and Utter Pedesge. With push carts piled with bananas they march to the Ganges to bathe in its holy waters and invariably an Hijra dances in front of the cart, and for money.

According to an old superstition, if you are going on a mission and an Hijra crosses your path you must turn back or evil will befall you.

Where does he live? Generally in the bastis-the slum area. The govern-

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