#wewha

October is LGBTQ History Month

For #LGBTQhistory Month, use our coloring book to supplement classroom discussions about LGBTQ historical figures! This page features We'Wha, an Indigenous Two-Spirit Zuni tribe member from New Mexico. Purchase copies of the coloring book for your classroom or GSA ➡️ https://shop.glsen.org/products/lgbtq-history-coloring-book

We'wha (1849–1896, various spellings) was a Zuni Native American from New Mexico, and the most famous lhamana on record. In traditional Zuni culture, the lhamana are male-bodied people who take on the social and ceremonial roles usually performed by women in their culture. They wear a mixture of women's and men's clothing and much of their work is in the areas usually occupied by Zuni women. They are also known to serve as mediators. Some contemporary lhamana participate in the modern, pan-Indian two-spirit community. In 1886, We'wha was part of the Zuni delegation to Washington D.C.. They were hosted by anthropologist Matilda Coxe Stevenson and, during that visit, We'wha met President Grover Cleveland. While We'wha is historically known mainly as a lhamana, as a notable fiber artist, weaver and potter, We'wha was also a prominent cultural ambassador for Native Americans in general, and the Zuni in particular. During this era, We'wha came in contact with many European-American settlers, teachers, soldiers, missionaries, and anthropologists. We'wha's friendship with Matilda Coxe Stevenson would lead to much material on the Zuni being published. Stevenson wrote down her observations of We'wha, such as, "She performs masculine religious and judicial functions at the same time that she performs feminine duties, tending to laundry and the garden" and referred to We'wha as "the most intelligent person in the pueblo. Strong character made his word law among both men and women with whom he associated. Though his wrath was dreaded by men as well as women, he was loved by all children, to whom he was ever kind". We'wha lived for part of their life in the role and dress usually associated with men in Zuni culture, and part of their life in roles associated with women. Friends and relatives have used both pronouns for them. -Wikipedia (artwork by @elijah.haswell) #PeopleOfPride #WeWha #octoberislgbthistorymonth #lgbthistorymonth #historymonth #EliHaswell #lgbt #lgbtq #gay #lesbian #transgender #bisexual #pansexual #asexual #intersex #genderqueer #male #female  #love #acceptance #diversity #lovewhoyouwant #youareamazing #youarebeautiful #hernandopride #hernandoflorida https://www.instagram.com/p/B4AO8UiB1JB/?igshid=1u14ltrl6pueq

We’wha was a Zuni Native from New Mexico. Identifying as a Lhamana, a traditional Zuni gender role now described as Two-Spirit. #FunFact We’wha met with President Grover Cleveland in 1886 as an ambassador from the Zuni Tribe. #Wewha #Zuni #NativeAmerican #NativeAmericanHistory #LGBTQHistory #TwoSpirit #Lhamana #Berdache https://www.instagram.com/p/BvSJvsQHJRH/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1h1nqyx5kew5a

While we wait for the history books to catch up... And in defiance of this past 'Columbus Day', or as we should be calling it 'Indigenous Peoples Day'. This #transhistorytuesday goes out to We'Wha. Among the Zuni tribe, We’Wha was lhamana, a term used to describe mixed gender or two-spirit. We’Wha filled both male and female roles but presented predominantly as a woman. As with many tribes, two-spirit was recognized as a third gender. The Zuni “princess” We’wha (WAY-wah), as the local papers dubbed her, was an instant celebrity. A cultural ambassador for the Zuni people. Throughout the spring of 1886 on a trip to Washington DC with anthropologist Matilda Stevenson, she mingled with government officials, politicians, and the local elite. She befriended the speaker of the house and called on his wife. She demonstrated Zuni weaving on the Mall and worked with anthropologists and was hired to make pottery for the Smithsonian. She even appeared in a charity event at the National Theatre before an audience of senators, congressmen, Supreme Court justices, and the president. We’wha grew up as an individual who combined male and female traits in a socially-recognized third gender role. Two-spirit people often held honored and influential positions. We’wha was an accomplished potter and weaver, and a recognized expert in Zuni religion. That such an individual could become a representative for the Zuni tribe underscores the degree to which individual differences in gender and sexuality were accepted by indigenous people at the time. In most tribes the ability to combine male and female skills and qualities was not viewed as a liability but as a gift. It came as no surprise to the Zunis that We’wha would travel thousands of miles, overcoming the obstacles of language and culture, to live and mingle with the leaders of a powerful nation. Someone like We’wha was expected to be extraordinary. Sourced from twospirit.org and Wikipedia #WeWha #twospirit #transisbeautiful #transhistorytuesday

Learn more LGBTQ history with Quist (http://www.quistapp.com) and make tomorrow’s history with the Point Foundation (http://www.pointfoundation.org/apply). #LearnLiveMakeHistory