An edition of The spirit and the flesh (1986)

The spirit and the flesh

sexual diversity in American Indian culture

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Last edited by MARC Bot
March 3, 2021 | History
An edition of The spirit and the flesh (1986)

The spirit and the flesh

sexual diversity in American Indian culture

  • 14 Want to read

Walter L. Williams's excellent research has produced one of the most extensive studies of the berdache culture among Native Americans. Unlike the larger American society, Native Americans historically have respected, and in many tribal nations venerated, homosexuals. Williams explains the berdache as a custom, its social roles, and the berdache history, including its introduction to the European concept of sin and intolerance of sexual diversity. The word berdache applies almost exclusively to males, mainly because historical records only relate dealings with aboriginal males, but Williams also includes a chapter on female sexual diversity, using the word amazon to describe these often warriorlike women.

Author's Note about the use of "berdache" and "Two-Spirit"

Shortly after the second revised edition this book was published in 1992, the term “Two-Spirit Person” became more popular among native people than the older anthropological term “berdache.” When I learned of this new term, I began strongly supporting the use of this newer term. I believe that people should be able to call themselves whatever they wish, and scholars should respect and acknowledge their change of terminology. I went on record early on in convincing other anthropologists to shift away from use of the word berdache and in favor of using Two-Spirit.

Nevertheless, because this book continues to be sold with the use of berdache, many people have assumed that I am resisting the newer term. Nothing could be further from the truth. Unless continued sales of this book will justify the publication of a third revised edition in the future, it is not possible to rewrite what is already printed, Therefore, I urge readers of this book, as well as activists who are working to gain more respect for gender variance, mentally to substitute the term “Two-Spirit” in the place of “berdache” when reading this text. — Walter L. Williams, Los Angeles, 2006

Publish Date
Publisher
Beacon Press
Language
English
Pages
344

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Previews available in: English

Edition Availability
Cover of: The spirit and the flesh
The spirit and the flesh: sexual diversity in American Indian culture
1992, Beacon Press
in English
Cover of: The spirit and the flesh : sexual diversity in American Indian culture
The spirit and the flesh : sexual diversity in American Indian culture
1992, Beacon Press
Paperback in English
Cover of: Spirit and the Flesh
Spirit and the Flesh
April 1992, Beacon Press
Paperback in English - Reissue edition
Cover of: The spirit and the flesh
The spirit and the flesh: sexual diversity in American Indian culture
1988, Beacon Press
- 1st Beacon pbk. ed.
Cover of: The spirit and the flesh
The spirit and the flesh: sexual diversity in American Indian culture
1986, Beacon Press
in English

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Book Details


Edition Notes

Includes bibliographical references (p. 317-333) and index.

Published in
Boston
Other Titles
Sexual diversity in American Indian culture.

Classifications

Dewey Decimal Class
306.7/66/08997
Library of Congress
E98.S48 W55 1992

The Physical Object

Pagination
xx, 344 p. :
Number of pages
344

ID Numbers

Open Library
OL1557283M
Internet Archive
spiritflesh00will
ISBN 10
0807046159
LCCN
91037980
Library Thing
411897
Goodreads
213109

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History

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March 3, 2021 Edited by MARC Bot import existing book
November 13, 2020 Edited by MARC Bot import existing book
July 27, 2020 Edited by MARC Bot import existing book
September 28, 2011 Edited by ImportBot import new book
April 1, 2008 Created by an anonymous user Imported from Scriblio MARC record