faafafine

Faʻafafine is a gender identity in Samoan culture. The term, often translated as “in the manner of a woman,” describes people who are typically assigned male at birth but identify with a feminine gender role and expression. Faʻafafine are regarded as a distinct third gender within Samoa and American Samoa, with social recognition that predates modern Western concepts of gender.

Traditionally, faʻafafine may take on feminine dress, mannerisms, and responsibilities such as caregiving, childrearing support, and other tasks associated with women. They can pursue a wide range of occupations and are integrated into family and community life. While many faʻafafine form intimate relationships with men, sexual orientation among faʻafafine is diverse, and identity is not reducible to sexuality alone.

Faʻafafine identity is culturally specific and not simply a variant of Western transgender or nonbinary categories. It encompasses a spectrum of experiences and expressions, with some individuals emphasizing feminine presentation and others balancing masculine and feminine traits. Cross-cultural parallels exist in other Polynesian societies, such as fakaleiti in Tonga, reflecting broader regional understandings of gender beyond a binary classification.

In contemporary contexts, faʻafafine are widely acknowledged within Samoan society and appear in academic research, media, and public life. They may face stigma or discrimination in some settings, but they also play visible roles in culture, advocacy, and community networks.