A tribal group living in Osaka, southern Mexico, has a majority third sex. Those who identify themselves are called ‘muxe’. ‘Mushe’ is a people of a different gender, who have maintained this ‘unique’ identity for thousands of years. People who live in the Istmo de Tehuantepec in the southern Mexican state of Osaka are divided into three groups: male, female and male.
Mushe! Surely you are wondering, what is he again? Mushe is a man from the Zapotec tribe living in the Ishtemo de Teantepec area of Osaka who feels comfortable dressing as a woman. That is, even if he is born a man, he prefers to live in the guise of a woman.
People in Zapotec culture all speak the same language. Just as there is no diversity in their language, there is no gender diversity in their language. Just as English, Bengali or other languages require different nouns for different genders, so does Zepotech. In their language, everyone is human. Are they male, female or third gender? People in their culture don't have too many headaches about this.
Because Mushera lives in the guise of women, they are as diverse as women. Variety in everything from clothes, makeup, style. Some may wear traditional dress like the women there, some may imitate Western women, some may wear unique outfits. Sometimes they behave like women, but some of the boys also wear normal clothes.
What or who is Mushe? The answer to this question can never be known correctly if they do not have a good idea about the culture. In our language, it may be said, feminine men or gay men or transgender men. But these words are not enough to explain Mushed. Mushe is a Zapotec word. Therefore, the correct interpretation of this word or tribe is found in Zapotec culture.
Only in the Ishtomo de Teontepec region of Mexico can the Mushes live in the world. Here Musheder is considered an important part of Zapotec society. According to legend, ‘The Lord sent Vicente Ferrer, the Jupiter guru, to earth with the seeds of a bag full of homosexuality. In every country in the world where this religious leader travels, he leaves one seed at a time. But when Ae Zepotech arrives in the town of Jusitan, his bag leaks and all the seeds from the bag fall to the ground. That's why there are so many Mushes in this area. "
Of course, the number of Musheds in the region is not large. Here they have social recognition. So they can live independently. Among the Zepotecs, Mushera can live like normal social people. They have their own kinship environment, their own rituals.
The strict nature and self-esteem of Zepotech women is a unique aspect of their society. The women, men and musheras of the Zepotech society live in harmony. Yet many call this society a matriarchal society. Because, the money of the family or the dominant aspects are in the possession of women. Men earn by sweating. And women control them. Men farm and produce fish and women make money by selling them in the market. That money is used to market and meet all the needs of the family.
When the women of the Zapotec society are in the market and the men are planting crops in the fields or fishing in the sea, the responsibility of looking after the household is in the hands of the Mushes. That's when Mushe's usefulness became apparent. In Zapotec society, many mothers consider it a privilege to have a baby. There is a man in the house to help the mothers, there is also a man in the house to take care of the small children. Mushes, however, cannot have long-term relationships with anyone like other women. They are not allowed to get married and build a house. The society has laid down such rules for them so that they can come to work in the care of their parents in old age.
Many of the Musheds are reluctant to follow the rules of being tied up in these houses of society again. They go out to earn a living on their own initiative. Nowadays Mushed is seen taking part in all kinds of activities. They set up shop in the market and opened beauty salons. He also designed and made costumes for various socio-religious festivals. They even participate in teaching, acting and directing. They have established a unique and important position in their society.
Mushed also has a stake in religion. Decorating the local Catholic Church is always their responsibility. Traditionally, people of the three genders (women, men and mushes) in this region of Mexico are bound by a wonderful combination of cooperation and sympathy. Mushed also has his own religious ceremonies. They go to the synagogue and pray to the Creator,
“The Lord creates men and women and He creates their character. Forgive me, Lord, if I am angry with you. The nature of the Creator determines what kind of person we are. "
Mushera believes so. And homosexuality is taken for granted in their society.
Mushera played the role of organizer in the traditional festival raft. They also come in different colors and styles. Participating in their varied outfits makes the festivities colorful. Mushera is dressed in flowers, balloons and various colored clothes and make-up. On the night of the festival, a big party is organized somewhere outside the city. The party was attended by women, men, children and all kinds of people from Zapotec culture.
The stage is set for the night party. And standing on that stage, he greeted everyone with a Mushe and his companion. Homosexuality is common in many western countries. However, the difference between homosexuals and Mexicans in those countries is that a man has sex with a man in homosexuality. But in Mushed's society Mushes are different from their own men.
They claim themselves as a distinct gender. They show themselves as women. Men do not dress. And they want to fall in love with men who are interested in Mushed. Mushera is not interested in men who claim to be gay. Mushera does not get involved with other Mushede. In general, Zepotecars do not force homosexuality tags on men who have an affair with Mushe. They think they are normal people too, only their preferences are different. All people have different tastes and preferences.
Another characteristic of mushes is that not all mushes are attracted to men only. Some Mushes are also attracted to women. Again, some men and women are not attracted to anyone. According to the Zapotec, Mushera is a blessing given by the Creator. Mushera is the soul of a woman in the body of a man.
Although this area of Mexico is called a gay paradise. Yet there are still many inequalities. Mushed still has to accept discrimination in education, employment or politics. Moreover, despite Mushe's social recognition among the Zapotec in the Mexican state of Osaka, he is still not well-received in other parts of the country. Yet the Mushes have become a separate ethnic group in that country.
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