Editorial |
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Fa'afafine |
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The Fa’afafine photographs were first an assignment for the Pacific Journeys issue of TIME, South Pacific edition (August 1, 2005). The following piece was written for the spread by Michael Fitzgerald, TIME’s arts editor, and is copyright. “Some people call me a diva of cabaret; some call me the black queen of Samoa.” Alosina Ropati, 33, is one of a small community of fa’afafine, “like a woman,” who work everywhere from petrol stations to the Prime Minister’s office. “When I was six or seven, I realised I was a half girl, half boy,” says Blondie (her stage name), preparing for a night out. “I realised I had something different in me, which is the fa’fafine side.” It’s a sanctioned side of traditional Samoan society. As one cultural commentator says, “We tend to be a lot more accepting of what nature provides.” more ... |
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© Bruce Connew 2004 |
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