Pride in Indian Country: We'Wha

 Shiyo! Between December, 1885, and June, 1886, the city of Washington, D.C. was enthralled with and fascinated by a Zuni visitor named We’wha. Indigenous leaders had been visiting the capitol for years, but the society mavens and political powerbrokers of Washington had never met someone quite like We’wha. Born in 1849, We’wha was a Zuni Lhamana or Two Spirit. “Though born a male-bodied person,” Mariana Brandman wrote, “community members recognized that We’wha demonstrated traits associated with the lhamana as early as age three or four. In Zuni culture, lhamana (now more often described with the pan-Indian term “Two Spirit”) were male-bodied individuals who took on social and ceremonial roles generally performed by women. They usually, though not exclusively, wore women’s clothing and mostly took up labors associated with women. Lhamana constituted a socially-recognized third gender role within the tribe and often held positions of honor in the community.

” While in Washington, We’wha, “became the toast of the town on this trip and gained a degree of national celebrity.” We’wha met with legislators as well as President Grover Cleveland. The newspaper accounts of the visit refer to We’wha as “she” or “her,” “princess,” “priestess” “maiden,” or even “debutante.” During her time in Washington, We’wha learned to speak English. 

We’wha was brought to Washington by Matilda and James Stevenson, a married couple who were also anthropologists who had visited with and studied the Zuni. Ms. Stevenson described We’Wha as, “perhaps the tallest person in Zuni; certainly the strongest, both mentally and physically ... She had a good memory, not only for the lore of her people, but for all that she heard of the outside world ... She possessed an indomitable will and an insatiable thirst for knowledge. Her likes and dislikes were intense. She would risk anything to serve those she loved, but toward those who crossed her path she was vindictive. Though severe she was considered just.” We’wha was a brilliant potter, weaver, and took part in the Zuni men’s kachina society. 

 

Sadly, like Osh-Tisch, We’wha and the other Lhamana were persecuted by Christian missionaries. In the 1890s the Indian agent for the Zuni made it his goal to destroy the tradition of non-binary citizens of the nation. Also, like Osh-Tisch, We’wha was imprisoned along with other Zuni Lhamana. The Zuni protested and demanded their release, and the US government eventually relented, though the pressures of colonization and Christianization would not cease. 

 

We’wha died of heart disease in 1896 at the age of 49. Here is an excellent video from PBS on We’wha. Here’s another one. 

We'Wha

Plaque honoring We'Wha at San Francisco's 
Rainbow Walk of Honor