As part of the Case Studies in Cultural Anthropology series, edited by George Spindler and Janice E. Stockard, Sharyn Graham brings us CHALLENGING GENDER NORMS: THE FIVE GENDERS OF INDONESIA. This case study explores the Bugis ethnic group, native to the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, that recognizes five gender categories rather than the two acknowledged in most societies. The Bugis acknowledge three sexes (female, male, hermaphrodite), four genders (women, men, calabai, and calalai), and a fifth meta-gender group, the bissu. This ethnography presents individuals' stories, opinions and deliberations, grounding discussions of how gendered identities are constructed in a rapidly changing cultural milieu. The rich ethnographic material contained in this book challenges two types of Western theory ? queer theory, which tends to focus on sexuality, and feminist theory, which tends to focus on social gender enactment. Neither theory is well-equipped for articulating the complexities of multiple gender identities and a multifarious gender system. By unraveling social negotiations and examining both individual embodiment and the impact of global forces on localized identities, the book proposes a new theory of gender which incorporates appreciation of variously gendered subjectivities.

Davies (anthropology, Auckland U. of Technology) describes gender diversity among the Bugis, the largest ethnic group in South Sulawesi, Indonesia. After exploring the concept of gender in general and whether it is considered important in their society, she explains that there are five genders in their culture, including masculine man, feminine woman, masculine female, feminine male, and androgynous shamans. Certain characteristics define them, such as lifestyle, behavior, clothing, social and ritual roles, sexual practices, and erotic desires. Her ethnographic research consists of interviews, conversations, and observations. In addition, she considers gender and biological sex, bodies, identity, sexuality, and marriage. Annotation ©2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

See how gender identities are constructed in a rapidly changing cultural milieu with CHALLENGING GENDER NORMS: THE FIVE GENDERS OF INDONESIA! This case study in cultural anthropology explores the Bugis ethnic group, native to the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, which recognizes five gender categories rather than the two acknowledged in most societies. This ethnography presents individuals' stories, opinions, and deliberations and proposes a new theory of gender which incorporates appreciation of variously gendered subjectivities.

1. Conceptualizing Gender. 2. The Importance of Being Gendered. 3. Hunting Down Love: Female Transgendering. 4. Contesting Masculinity and Negotiating Femininity. 5. Androgynous Shamans and Rituals of Gender. 6. I Do, I Do: A Journey Through Two Indonesian Weddings. Conclusion: Rethinking Gender.