Abstract
Cross-gender behavior in Myanmar (formerly Burma) is reported. Western concepts of transsexualism, gynemimesis, transvestism, and homosexuality are not distinct categories by the Burmese. Males with cross-gender behavior are referred to as acaults. Although Myanmar is a profoundly Buddhist society, the people still have strong animistic beliefs with an elaborate system of 37 nats (spirit gods). One of these nats is a female named Manguedon who may take possession of males and impart femininity on them. The cross-gender status of the acaults is sanctioned by their spiritual marriage to Manguedon. The acaults, while not envied, are respected for their roles as shamans and seers.
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Versions of this paper were delivered at the 13th annual meeting of the International Academy for Sex Research, June 25, 1989, in Tutzing, West Germany, and at the 11th International Conference on Gender Dysphoria, September 20, 1989, in Cleveland, Ohio.
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Coleman, E., Colgan, P. & Gooren, L. Male cross-gender behavior in Myanmar (Burma): A description of the acault. Arch Sex Behav 21, 313–321 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01542999
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01542999