We'wha was a prominent Zuni Indian who died in the late 19th century. Born a man, he was among the small group of Native Americans known as berdache, or men-women. This group consisted of either men or women who served both the roles of men and women in the daily social and economic roles of their tribes. Berdache have been documented in approximately 130 North American Indian populations over the course of written history. The berdache held roles in their tribes that were neither less or more prominent than those of other tribal members even though they were often referred to with such pejorative names as sodomites by early Eurpean settlers in America. We'wha was a particularly prominent member of his tribe , acting as an emissary to several religious and other exploratory parties traveling through the Southwestern parts of the United States. When We'wha was buried, he was clothed in both a dress and pants.
We'wha
