The zuni man woman by will roscoe5/24/2023 ![]() ![]() In Zuni culture, lhamana (now more often described with the pan-Indian term “Two Spirit”) were male-bodied individuals who took on social and ceremonial roles generally performed by women. Though born a male-bodied person, community members recognized that We’wha demonstrated traits associated with the lhamana as early as age three or four. ![]() Their position gave We’wha opportunities to gain special ceremonial knowledge and take part in revered cultural rituals. ![]() We’wha’s adopted family was wealthy and influential among the Zuni. We’wha remained part of their mother’s clan but maintained lifelong ceremonial ties their father’s clan. Orphaned as an infant (possibly the result of a smallpox epidemic) We’wha and their brother were adopted by a paternal aunt. We’wha’s mother was a member of the donashi:kwe clan (Badger People) and We’wha’s father was part of the bichi:kwe clan (Dogwood People). We’wha was born into the Zuni tribe around 1849 in what is today New Mexico. Also a spiritual leader, We’wha endeavored to preserve the history, traditions, and knowledge of the Zuni people. We’wha, a Lhamana (Zuni Two Spirit) individual, took on both male and female tasks as a Zuni cultural ambassador and pottery and textile artist. ![]()
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