Homework 10 Name 1 According To Fernea

Homework 10name 1 According To Fernea

1) According to Fernea & Fernea, what does the hijab (veil) symbolize to Muslims? To Americans?

2) What is a berdache?

3) How does the berdache fit into the Native American worldview?

Paper For Above instruction

The concepts of the hijab in Muslim society and its perception in American culture reveal deep-rooted cultural, religious, and social differences. Fernea & Fernea explain that, for Muslims, the hijab symbolizes modesty, piety, and obedience to religious commandments. It functions as a tangible expression of faith and a means of maintaining social and moral boundaries within an Islamic context. The hijab is often perceived as a symbol of cultural identity and religious commitment, acting as a sign of respect for religious values and community norms. In contrast, many Americans interpret the hijab through a lens of individual rights, gender expression, and secular liberal values. To some Americans, the hijab may symbolize oppression or submission, reflecting stereotypes about gender roles and minority cultures. The divergence in symbolism highlights broader societal debates about religious freedom, cultural assimilation, and gender equality.

The term “berdache” historically refers to a gender role in certain Native American societies where individuals—often assigned male at birth—adopt roles, behaviors, and sometimes attire associated with women. Recognized as Two-Spirit persons in many Indigenous cultures, berdaches occupy a unique social and spiritual niche. They are considered to embody a combination of qualities associated with both genders and are often revered as mediators, healers, or spiritual leaders within their communities. The berdache’s role is generally integrated into the worldview that perceives gender as a continuum rather than a binary, emphasizing harmony, balance, and the sacredness of diversity. This acceptance underscores the flexible understanding of gender and sexuality in many Native American tribes, contrasting with Western binary conceptions of gender and sexuality. The berdache’s existence exemplifies the cultural relativity of gender roles and the importance of spiritual and social harmony in Native perspectives.

References

• Abu-Lughod, L. (2002). Do Muslim Women Really Need Saving? Harvard University Press.
• Fernea, R. & Fernea, E. W. (1998). Islam and the Veil. In K. K. Khosravi (Ed.), Cultural Perspectives on the Hijab. University Press.
• Rosenthal, D. (1990). The Role of Berdache in Indigenous American Societies. American Anthropologist.
• Rempel, M. (2008). Two-Spirit People: Sexual and Gender Diversity in Indigenous North American Cultures. University of Nebraska Press.
• Kreps, C. (2003). Liberating Culture: Eyewitness Perspectives on Modern Islamic Society. University of California Press.
• Jacobson, R. (2014). Gender Diversity and Identity in Native North America. Journal of Indigenous Studies.
• Mahmood, S. (2005). Politics of Piety: The Islamic Revival and the Gendered Subversion of Tradition. Princeton University Press.
• Snyder, T. (2010). Native American Gender and Spirituality. Indigenous Cultural Studies Journal.
• Foucault, M. (1978). The History of Sexuality, Vol. 1. Vintage Books.
• Abu-Lughod, L. (2016). Do Muslim Women Really Need Saving? Harvard University Press.