Photo essay: The Hijras of Delhi
Eunuchs, transsexuals, or transgender men are known as hijras in South Asia. They adopt feminine gender identity, women's clothing and other feminine gender roles. Etymologically, the word hijra is an Urdu word, seemingly derived from the Arabic root hijr or emigration in the sense of "leaving one's family, tribe or country", and it has been borrowed into Hindi.
Many "hijras" live their separate communities, and have sustained themselves over generations by "adopting" young boys who are rejected by, or flee their family. Many work as sex workers for survival. According to estimates by health organizations, only 10% of hijras are actually castrated.
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