Adaptation Or Exploitation? An Analysis of the Family Structure of the Hijra Community in Bangladesh


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DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29333/ejecs/1919

Keywords:

Family relations, social adaptation, economic exploitation, hijra community, Bangladesh

Abstract

This article examines the social and economic adaptation mechanisms practiced by the hijra community in Bangladesh, with a particular focus on the family structure and social relations. It posits that an analysis of hijra family dynamics may be effectively conducted by including theories of social adaptation and economic exploitation, drawing upon qualitative data. As the hijra children undergo maturation and manifest their sexual and behavioural distinctiveness, the familial outlook on the children experiences a transformation as time progresses. Hijra children are ultimately subjected to parental and societal neglect, rejection and discrimination, which in turn push them to establish an independent existence under hijra community. Within the community, the establishment and nurturing of the familial bond between the guruma, who serves as the head of the family, and the chela, who assumes the role of the disciple, is facilitated through a shared sense of affinity and unwavering loyalty. Furthermore, a significant correlation exists between hijra families and their economic system. The chela hijras, who have experienced separation from their biological families, seek shelter under the care of a guruma. Consequently, they endure processes of social and economic adaptation. However, they also experience economic exploitation from the guruma. This study applies a combination of primary and secondary sources of data, and Case Studies, In-depth Interviews and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) have been used to collect firsthand data. The research findings shed light on the process through which hijras are integrated into the community, as well as the various forms and degrees of economic exploitation they encounter. Thus, this article contributes to the existing body of literature on the issues of third gender and the vulnerabilities they face and what measures should be taken for their inclusive development.

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Author Biographies

Faruk Shah

Faruk Shah is an Associate Professor of Development Studies at the University of Dhaka in Bangladesh. He was a faculty member of Anthropology at Rajshahi University before joining this institution. Shah received his PhD in anthropology from the University of Auckland, New Zealand. His research interest includes sustainable development, health, medical anthropology, gender, ethnicity and social history.

Kazi K Shahidullah, Bangladesh University of Professionals

Kazi Shahidullah is an Assistant Professor at the Office of the Evaluation, Faculty, and Curriculum Development at Bangladesh University of Professionals. He earned his PhD in 2016 emphasized on Curriculum, Teaching, and Learning at the Faculty of College of Education, at University of Nevada, Reno, U.S.A. His research interests are academic program and curriculum development, professional development, quality assurance, and educational reformation in higher education.

Fahmida Sultana

Fahmida Sultana currently holds the position of Associate Professor in the Department of Development Studies, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. She has completed her BSS (Hons) and MSS (Economics) from the University of Dhaka. She further achieved Master Degree in 'International and Development Economics' from the Australian National University (ANU). Before joining the Department of Development Studies, she served in the Institute of Health Economics of the University of Dhaka as a lecturer for two years.

Mojahar Rahman Shah

Mojahar Rahman Shah works as a curatorial officer at the Bangladesh National Museum since 2019. He conducts research and works on preserving and exhibiting artifacts from various ethnic and socio-cultural arenas in Bangladesh. He has also worked on developing a national inventory of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) and has organized national and international fairs and exhibitions. Shah has published articles on state borders, biodiversity conservation, climate change, ethnic minorities, and art and craft in Bangladesh.

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Published

2024-07-30

How to Cite

Shah , F., Shahidullah, K. K., Sultana , F. ., & Shah , M. R. . (2024). Adaptation Or Exploitation? An Analysis of the Family Structure of the Hijra Community in Bangladesh. Journal of Ethnic and Cultural Studies, 11(3), 67–89. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejecs/1919

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Original Manuscript
Received 2023-11-19
Accepted 2024-04-12
Published 2024-07-30