Hi all,
I am actually new to this forum, and joined specifically to comment on this post. Being Samoan descendant, and transgendered(MTF), my input may be of some use to anyone who would read this thread.
The Fa'afafine (pron: fah-ah-fa-feeneh)
For those of you who are not familiar with this term.. It is the word that is popularly used to describe a person who is of a "third gender" as apposed to describing ->-bleeped-<- as it is known in the West. Usually, it is used in reference to a boy, who exhibits particularly effeminate mannerisms, and behaviours, and one who would seek assimilation into the Samoan woman's role. The reason why the fa'afafine has such a prominent role in Samoan society, is because pre-christian Samoa, through its family traditions, learned to recognize these traits in a person, and utilize them to the benefits of the most important thing in Samoan culture, which is family.
The role of the woman in Samoan culture is of the utmost importance, and there is a clear line drawn between what is the role of the woman, and what is the role of the man. And because each gender is pre-associated with these roles, there is a consensus of course with the samoan people, to assimilate each person into their cultural role, so as to keep, and maintain a productivity within the family group, and to uphold pride, and respect in doing so(as Samoan families are often measured, and judged in society, by their productivity with money, the church, business dealings, land ownership, overall prosperity and so on).
Because Samoan culture is so heavily steeped in tradition, as apposed to the western idea of "I will make what of it, when I get to it", we will see that Samoan culture is, for the most part, discarding of the western view of ->-bleeped-<- in relation to the fa'afafine. Just like we seek the knowledge in study of society in scientific findings, Samoan culture does the same with it's tradition. And tradition tells them that 'yes, a male may be born with effeminate behaviours', but that they still must have a place in society that is fitting to their identity as fa'afafine.
The fa'afafine is not treated, as such, for dysphoria, and that is simply because they are assimilated at the first signs of effeminacy.. which happens to be at a young age. Though a varying percentage of fa'afafine will seek to transition in countries like the US, and NZ, a good deal of fa'afafine will stay in Samoa, where transgendered persons services are not nearly as available, as they are in the West. The reasons may vary from financial, and family difficulties or responsibility, to other hardships, but there is a definite consensus that because the fa'afafine is so well assimilated into Samoan society, that the fa'afafine themselves accept their physical state, and have a contentment in themselves, because their role is so well defined, and outlined to them from a young age, and very rarely experience rejection of the sorts found in Western families.
Because the lines between what a male does, and what a female does, is not nearly as blurred in Samoan culture, as it is in the West, the ability to 'tell' that your child is fa'afafine is very obvious early on in childhood. Because the fa'afafine is not uncommon, or unknown to Samoan society, the approach taken in dealing with the fa'afafine child is widely known. Or at the least, the information is available through many family, and tribal sources throughout the community.
You might notice that when referencing the word "fa'afafine", that I use it in a descriptive sense, similar to the way that we use "the female...", and "the male..." fa'afafine is used in very much the same way.
As for comments of "If there aren't enough girls to do the chores, make one from a boy in the family". This is obviously sensationalistic generalization from a western point of view.
None of this is resulted of scientific study of the fa'afafine, and it's surrounding traditions, but has been found, and learned through the traditional knowledge that was passed from my mother, a direct descendant(chiefs daughter[Taupo]) of the Manono chieftain, down to me.
Best wishes, kindest regards, and big kudos to all participants of this forum! There is clearly some great work, between great thinkers being done here, and this place has my ovation!
Thanks, Lea
