If you like gender issues, you are probably wondering who are Las Muxes, Well, within sexual diversity, they are one of the genders marked since pre-Hispanic times in Mexico.
Given the boom in issues around the gender diversity It is interesting to know a little more about who the Muxes are and their impact on Mexican culture..
The term Muxes or "Mushe" refers to the genre given to those people born with male genitalia, but who adopt female roles either from the sexual, social or personal, within the Zapotec region of the isthmus of Tehuantepec, in Mexico.
This term is easily comparable to what in gender diversity is known as transgender, transvestite, or transgender people. However, as its birth alludes more to a cultural issue within the framework of one of the most important indigenous communities in Mesoamerica, the third Mexican gender is approached from a different perspective..
The name Muxe has been socially accepted since pre-Hispanic times. From an etymological trace it is believed that the word "Muxe" derives from the term "Woman" and it began to be used from the 16th century.
From the reception of the community, it can be said that the Zapotecs consider this third gender as something in between the feminine and the masculine, not being something neither good nor bad, but simply a different manifestation.
For this reason, since ancient times they are fully accepted and also considered as necessary for the harmony of the communities.
Their way of cohabiting within their social groups has remained in a similar way ever since. Some Muxes married men, others lived in groups, and still others mated with women and had children. This has always been well seen, because it should be clarified that the Zapotec culture it is clearly matriarchal.
The Roles of The Muxes within the community they were diverse in pre-Columbian times. Some of the things they did was participate in economic decisions and control trade, functions that were assigned to women, and in some cases they also participated in the rites of sexual initiation to men, Well, it was not seen well that the young women of the community lost their virginity for these purposes.
Today, Las Muxes continue to preserve many of the characteristics that they bring from pre-Hispanic times. However, as times progress, many of their traditional roles and roles have been permeated by cultural changes..
According to the statistics provided by ethnographic and anthropological studies, in the 20th century, at least 6% of the population were Muxes.
Considering that this Mexican third gender It is fully accepted, families have no problem with their children having this inclination, and that is why since they are children they understand the signs that make them understand that they have this nature, and help them to cultivate them so that they feel fully identified with their gender identity.
At present, it is extremely strange that the Muxes form couples with women and have children, in fact, the regular pattern is that they have relationships with men that do not last long, although there have also been cases of solid relationships, although this is not the common pattern.
Within traditional families, Las Muxes are considered the best of children, because generally they remain with their mother until the day of their death. Muxes accompany their parents in times of health, illness and difficulties, while heterosexual children generally marry and leave with their new families..
Due to the above condition The Muxes are symbol represent in many cases the financial and emotional security for families.
In many cases, when families are missing daughters and the sons do not show the aggressiveness and strength associated with the male gender, mothers train their sons to adopt the habits and behaviors of Las Muxes, such as embroidering or going to the market..
Some of the social tasks assigned to Las Muxes are taking care of children and the elderly, cooking, cleaning, learning crafts and other arts..
Given the close link with the matriarchal family nucleus, when the grandmothers, mothers or main female figure died, the Muxe of the house receives its authority and responsibilities.
As we have seen, Las Muxes are not only fully accepted in their communities, but they are also considered a unifying element from the same. This is why they have their own festival, called "The Candle of the True Dauntless Seekers of Danger"
The origin of this festival occurred in the 70s within the framework of a cooperation of common militancy with the Institutional Revolutionary Party, without any kind of political tinge, but with a common objective of union between the different people of the community.
The presence of this festival has had such an impact in Juchitán, that its strength has transcended borders and there have also been festivals of La Vela de las Authentic Fearless Seekers of Danger in Transvestite Shows in Mexico City and Los Angeles.
His name is also already part of universal literature, since in various literary works the third Mexican genre has been spoken of. One of the most representative cases is the work Bilopayoo Funk by the writer Ricardo Cartas Figueroa.
Now that you know who Las Muxes are, you will understand that they are not only a example of coexistence and inclusion within Mexico, but they are also people who work for society and communities.
This, through its preponderant role in family organizations and also many of them are strong activists against homophobia, discrimination and abuse, and they also carry out different HIV prevention campaigns and different courses to educate people on top issues of gender diversity issues.
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