The construction of other genders by means of personal appearance in medieval Islam: the case of mukhannathūn (effeminates) and kuntha (hermaphrodites)

Abstract

This article focuses on two variations from the Muslim patriarchal binary system of females and males: mukhannathūn (those who display female behaviour and appearance while having male sex organs) and khuntha (those with a lack of or confused sex organs). These two categories were tolerated and represent an extension of the normative expected sex-gender spectrum of Islam. Personal appearance, in its broad meaning, is used as a tool for analysing the social-religious existence of mukhannathūn and khuntha within the community. The article concludes that jurists imposed a whole set of regulations, mixing male and female appearance, for the purpose of defining and differentiating these groups. These laws also enabled the religious and social existence of mukhannathūn and khuntha within Muslim communities. The patriarchal system preserved its power and protected itself while widening the binary male-female spectrum to include variations such as medial sex. On cover: Late Roman wall, the portion immediately south of the West Gate (Porta Oea) with re-used blocks from first-century mausolea (Drawing by Francesca Bigi) and Tombstone of Regina from South Shields (Arbeia) (Tyne and WearArchives and Museums/ Bridgeman Images). E-ISSN (online version) 2611-3686 ISSN (print version) 0065-0900

Keywords

• adornment
• jewellery
• gender identities
• Middle Ages
• Islam
• makhannathūn