Day 4: We’wha of the Zuni - A Life of Spirit and Courage.

Day 4: We’wha of the Zuni – A Life of Spirit and Courage.

We’wha (c. 1849–1896) a 19th-century Lhamana, a traditional Two-Spirit person who embodies both masculine and feminine roles, was an indigenous Zuni diplomat, potter, weaver, and spiritual leader. We’wha was born and raised on the ancestral lands of the Zuni people in the Zuni River Valley, located in what is now also called New Mexico. Known for both their artistry and leadership, We’wha became a cultural ambassador to Washington, D.C.

Lhamanas in Zuni culture are individuals who are male-bodied but take on roles, clothing, and responsibilities associated with women, at least some of the time. This role is not simply about gender identity in the Western sense, but about fulfilling important social, ceremonial, and spiritual functions within Zuni society. Lhamanas often participated in both men’s and women’s work, engaged in religious societies such as kachina ceremonies, and acted as mediators between genders and communities.

Kachina Ceremonies

We’wha participated in kachina societies, honored ceremonial groups central to Pueblo spiritual life. Kachinas are considered intermediaries between the Pueblo people and their deities, and the word “kachina” literally means “life-bringer.” These ceremonies are crucial for community well-being, especially for bringing rain and supporting the growth of crops. We’wha performed sacred masked dances and engaged in both domestic tasks and ceremonial duties, reflecting the full scope of their lhamana responsibilities.

Cultural Ambassador and Diplomat

In 1886, We’wha traveled to Washington, D.C., as part of a Zuni delegation. During this visit, they met President Grover Cleveland and were received at the White House as a cultural ambassador. We’wha demonstrated Zuni weaving techniques and provided cultural insights to various officials and anthropologists, including Matilda Coxe Stevenson, the first woman ever employed as an anthropologist in the U.S. Despite being assigned male at birth, We’wha was perceived by many as a woman because of their appearance and demeanor. This visit highlighted the complexities of gender identity and the misunderstandings that arose when Indigenous gender roles were viewed through a colonial lens.

Legacy and Recognition

We’wha’s contributions to Zuni culture and their role as a lhamana have been subjects of scholarly interest. Their life challenges the binary understanding of gender and underscores the importance of recognizing Indigenous perspectives on gender diversity. In 2021, Google honored We’wha with a Doodle celebrating their legacy and contributions to Zuni culture. The interactive Doodle, created by Zuni artist Mallery Quetawki, included a weaving game to educate users about Zuni weaving traditions.

Learn More

Book: The Zuni Man-Woman by Will Roscoe – An in-depth exploration of We’wha’s life and the Zuni lhamana tradition.
Smithsonian Archives – Photographs and documents related to We’wha’s visit to Washington, D.C., and their interactions with anthropologists and officials.
We’wha Biography (Britannica)
Out of the past (PBS)
Zuni Cultural Resources Advisory Team: A resource for understanding the cultural heritage and traditions of the Zuni people.