Artifact 2: Third Gender

Fa’afafine

Max Liebl

                The Fa’afafine of Samoa is a recognized gender in Samoan society where a person is assigned male at birth but embodies both male and female traits. Some males are assigned to be Fa’afafine due to the lack of a female presence in the household whether it is desired by the boy or not. It is often acceptable within the culture and amongst families. While acceptable, this does not mitigate discrimination and Fa’afafine males who don’t identify themselves as Fa’afafine face ridicule and seek to prove that they are either male or female. Fa’afafine is considered a separate gender, neither male nor female. While born a male, they exhibit traits of both sexes and often lead normal lives within society.

                The role of the Fa’afafine in Samoan society originates from a family having all male children and assigning a boy to take on the role of a female to establish a more female presence in the family. Currently, Fa’afafine lead seemingly normal lives and work traditional jobs. While some may exhibit traits of both male and female, some choose to fully adopt a female or male presence. In the case of Leo Tanoi, an ex-rugby who is the subject of a video by The Feed, was forced into being Fa’afafine because of the lack of a daughter in the family. As an adolescent, he was teased and made fun of and tried to break from the stigma that came from being Fa’afafine.

He desperately tried to prove his masculinity by playing sports such as rugby and eventually played as a professional. Upon achieving his goal of proving himself as a man to himself and others, he quit the sport after one season and now lives with only the memories of his past life. The opposite side of the spectrum is the case in which a Fa’afafine male chooses to live as a woman and in some cases, chooses to accept neither fully but live as just simply Fa’afafine.

                Samoan culture recognizes Fa’afafine as a third gender although there are a considerable number of laws that discriminate against it. Ridicule and discrimination still exists within their society especially Samoans living abroad in other countries. However, the tradition of Fa’afafine goes back many centuries and is generally accepted within families. Gender is a social construct and it is important to remember that sex does not define gender.

Help Received: Class resources on canvas