Among the Eunuchs

Leyla Jagiella

£20.00

From an early age, Leyla Jagiella knew that her life would be defined by two things: being Muslim and being trans. Struggling to negotiate these identities in her conservative, small German hometown, she travelled to India and Pakistan, where her life was changed by her time among third gender communities. Known today as hijras in India and khwajasaras in Pakistan, these predominantly Muslim communities once held important political, social and spiritual positions. They were respected as agents of the supernatural, with powers to bless or curse, and often worked as eunuchs in the harems and palaces of the Muslim aristocracy. ‘Among the Eunuchs’ reveals a vast variety of interpretations of religion, gender and sexuality,illuminating how deeply culture informs our lifestyles and experiences.

In stock

Additional information

Weight 0.448 kg
Dimensions 21.6 × 13.8 × 2.7 cm
Author

Publisher

Imprint

Cover

Hardback

Pages

304

Language

English

Edition
Dewey

306.7680954 (edition:23)

Readership

General – Trade / Code: K

Description

A courageously personal exploration of gender identity across Muslim cultures, from the West to South Asia.

From an early age, Leyla Jagiella knew that she would be defined by two things: being Muslim and being trans. Struggling to negotiate these identities in her conservative, small hometown, she travelled to India and Pakistan, where her life was changed by her time among third-gender communities.

Known as hijras in India, khwajasaras in Pakistan, these marginal communities have traditionally been politically and culturally important, respected for their supernatural powers to bless or curse, and often serving as eunuchs in Mughal India’s palaces. But under British colonialism, the hijras were criminalised and persecuted, entrenching taboos they still battle today.

Among the Eunuchs reveals vastly varied interpretations of religion, gender and sexuality, illuminating how deeply culture informs our experiences. As identity becomes an ideological battlefield, Jagiella complicates binaries and dogma with her rich personal reflections. Her fascinating journey speaks to all who find themselves juggling different kinds of belonging.

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