We’wha

We’wha was a Lhamana (Two Spirit*) from the Zuni tribe in modern-day New Mexico who was born male but wore clothing that mixed both men's and women's styles. They were skilled at tasks traditionally divided by gender, such as weaving, pottery-making, hunting, and leading spiritual ceremonies.

We’wha gained national attention after traveling to Washington, D.C. in 1886 and meeting President Grover Cleveland. However, the Zuni tribe faced difficulties, including imprisonment of Lhamana by Christian missionaries. We’wha eventually returned to their former life after being released from prison.

We’wha’s story is one of resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity. They lived at a time when non-heterosexual and non-binary individuals were not widely accepted by mainstream society. However, We’wha’s gender and sexual expression were not seen as unusual in Zuni culture, where Lhamana were respected members of society.

We’wha’s ability to navigate both Zuni and non-Zuni cultures made them an influential figure during their lifetime. They used their knowledge of both cultures to strengthen the relationship between Zuni and the United States government. In addition to meeting with President Cleveland, We’wha also met with other government officials, lobbyists, and anthropologists to advocate for Zuni rights.

We’wha’s fame spread beyond the United States as well. They were invited to participate in the 1898 Paris Expo, where they interacted with indigenous peoples from around the world. This international exposure brought attention to both Zuni culture and the concept of Two Spirit identity.

Today, We’wha is celebrated as a pioneering Two Spirit figure. Their legacy is a reminder of the vibrancy and resilience of indigenous cultures and communities. Moreover, their life shows that it is possible to exist as a gender-nonconforming person in multiple worlds, without sacrificing one’s own identity or community. We’wha’s story is therefore an example of the strength and adaptability necessary for survival in a rapidly changing world. It is a testament to the continuing resilience of indigenous cultures and the importance of cultural diversity.

* The term "two-spirit" is used by some Indigenous people as an umbrella term to describe their sexual, gender, and/or spiritual identity. It can include same-sex attraction and a wide variety of gender variance, and may also encompass relationships that could be considered poly. The term was created in 1990 by Elder Myra Laramee, in Winnipeg, Canada as a translation of the Anishinaabemowin term niizh manidoowag. Some Indigenous languages do not have terms to describe sexual identities and focus more on describing what people do rather than how they identify.

By John Gonzalez

Standing Bear Network

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We'wha -John K. Hillers Image Courtesy of Smithsonian Institute -End ID]