kemetically-ankhtified:

didyou-know:

Source 1 , 2

In Samoa, there is a third gender called the Fa’afafine, which literally means “in the manner of a woman.” The origin of it used to be that in families with too many boys, the young ones would be recruited to work in the house helping the wife. They would be raised as girls and would even be dressed in women’s clothes, even if their gender was well known.

Nowadays, Fa’afafine is considered a third gender, standing with the male and female gender. It’s not common for Fa’afafines to have sex with other Fa’afafines and it’s also not considered homosexual for males to have sex with Fa’afafines. 

They are known for their hard work and dedication to the family. It is said that while it may be tempted to call Fa’afafines crossdressers or homosexual, there is no cultural equivalent in the English language to describe this particular cultural phenomenon.

whaaaat

if this is true, it’s soo cool!