Khusra

Khusra (in Punjabi , Hindi and Urdu ) is the name of around 10,000 transgender and transsexual people living in Pakistan who live as outsiders with a socially accepted gender role , some of whom are only viewed as transvestites by the population . In contrast to conventional Pakistani women in a strictly Muslim society, Khusras are allowed to put on bright make-up and wear flashy clothing. You see yourself as a third gender . Khusra are from effeminate onesA distinction is made between men who do not want to undergo gender reassignment measures and who call themselves Zenana (in Nepal also Meti, Kothi ).

Khusra usually live together in shared apartments under the guidance of a guru (teacher), who is usually also a khusra. Traditional khusras live Islam with regular prayer, giving alms and pilgrimages to the holy places of Islam. Khusras are often invited to family celebrations such as birthdays and weddings to dance there. According to Pakistani tradition, this should bring good luck.

A group comparable to the Khusra are the Hijra in Pakistan, India and Bangladesh .

See also

• List of gender (roles) worldwide

Web links

• Jürgen Wasim Frembgen : The third gender in Pakistan: dancers, singers and performers. In: Goethe-Institut (Ed.): Fikrun wa Fann . January 2011 (translated by Simone Falk).