Nádleehi

Nádleehi refers to the Two-spirit identity in Diné (Navajo) culture.[1] Nádleehi, in Diné culture, refers to an individual who is an "effeminate male" or "male-bodied person with a feminine nature".[2][3] However, the nádleehi identity is also fluid and cannot be described in only terms of the traditional, rigid binary.[2] Diné culture has four genders; asdzáán (feminine female), hastíín (masculine male), nádleehí (feminine male), and dilbaa (masculine female).[2] Traditionally, nádleehi people expressed their gender differently depending on the day and acted in both male and female roles.[1] One notable person that identified as nádleehi was Fred Martinez who was killed at the age of 16 in June 2001.[3]

Fred Martinez

Fred Martinez lived in Cortez, Colorado on a Navajo reservation, with his mother Pauline Mitchell.[4] Friends of Martinez said that he was often harassed for his identity in school by their peers.[4] Martinez's mother was supportive of his identity as nádleehi as well as his friends in the community.[4] Navajo society is traditionally matrilineal, and Mitchell's open support of her child reflects the respect and understanding found traditionally in Navajo society.[2]

Fred Martinez was killed by Shaun Murphey in June 2001 and it was determined that Murphey's motives were linked to Martinez's identity, Murphey was arrested and sentenced, though it was not ruled as a hate crime.[4][5] There is a documentary that discussed Fred Martinez's case called "Two-Spirit" that explores both Fred Martinez's life and the nádleehi identity in Navajo culture.[5]

Role in Navajo society

Traditionally, a nádleehi person could choose to take on female roles in society, wear traditionally female clothes and do traditionally female work.[1] Some would also choose to also have sexual relations with men and this was accepted by their tribe.[1] A nádleehi person's role and identity could be described as depending on their contextual surroundings, meaning that their identity could change when with different groups of people or in different cultural contexts.[1] The nádleehi identity differs from other two-spirit identities that are specific to other indigenous tribes.[1]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Epple, Carolyn (1998). "Coming to Terms with Navajo "nádleehí": A Critique of "berdache," "Gay," "Alternate Gender," and "Two-Spirit"". American Ethnologist. 25 (2): 267–290. doi:10.2307/646695. JSTOR 646695.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Estrada, Gabriel (2011). "Two Spirits, Nádleeh, and LGBTQ2 Navajo Gaze" (PDF). American Indian Culture and Research Journal. 35: 167–190 – via Native Out.
  3. 1 2 "PBS Documentary Explores Navajo Belief in Four Genders - Indian Country Media Network". indiancountrymedianetwork.com. Retrieved 2017-11-19.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Barrett, Jon (October 2001). "Getting Along in Cortez". Advocate (848): 26–28 – via Google Books.
  5. 1 2 Goldberg, Leslie (November 19, 2009). "Teen Spirit". Advocate.
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