The suppression of non-heterosexual identities has been a consistent practice throughout the colonization process across different societies around the world. Many historians have documented how imperial powers used religion to justify their violent campaigns against those who did not fit into their binary conceptions of gender and sexuality.
There is also evidence to suggest that these repressed forms of identity were once vibrant and central to many religious traditions. This raises the question: Can a postcolonial re-reading of religious history uncover suppressed queer narratives that once thrived before missionary intervention?
I will examine some of the ways that religious practices and beliefs about sexuality and gender have changed under colonial rule and explore whether there are still traces of pre-colonial queerness hidden within them today. By looking at examples from different cultures and religions, I hope to show how this type of analysis can help us better understand the complexities of postcolonial societies and create more inclusive spaces for diverse identities.
Before diving into the main topic, it's important to define what exactly we mean by 'queer' or 'non-heteronormative'. Queer refers to any sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression that does not conform to traditional norms of masculinity and femininity. Non-heteronormativity includes people who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, asexual, transgender, non-binary, etc., but also anyone whose gender or sexuality deviates from societal expectations in any way.
Throughout history, non-heterosexuals have been subjected to violence and oppression both by colonizers and local authorities seeking to uphold conservative values.
During the Spanish Inquisition, thousands of women accused of witchcraft were burned alive because they were suspected of engaging in homoerotic relationships with other women. These persecutions were justified by Catholic doctrine, which condemned same-sex attraction as a sin against God. Similarly, Muslim rulers often punished transgender people severely for challenging established gender norms. But even before these religious interventions, many pre-colonial societies had their own complex systems of beliefs about sex and gender.
One such society was the Aztecs of Mexico, whose culture has been heavily influenced by Western interpretations. Yet evidence suggests that the Aztecs had a rich tradition of same-sex love and eroticism.
They practiced ritual sodomy between priests and warriors, believing it helped bring fertility and prosperity to their city-states. They also held festivals celebrating homosexual relationships and allowed individuals to change their gender at will. Some scholars argue that this fluidity persisted into colonial times, despite attempts by missionaries to suppress it.
African cultures like those of the Yoruba and Igbo peoples have been misunderstood and misrepresented due to European colonialism. Both groups celebrated homosexuality and cross-dressing, viewing them as essential elements of spiritual life. The Yoruba believed that male deities could inhabit both genders and that all humans had masculine and feminine aspects, while the Igbo recognized third-gender individuals who played important roles in society.
Christian missions worked hard to eradicate these customs, labeling them 'pagan' and 'unholy'.
This suppression of non-heteronormative identities continues today in many postcolonial contexts around the world. In some cases, it is driven by conservative religious forces seeking to maintain traditional values; in others, it reflects wider social attitudes towards difference. But there may be traces of pre-colonial queerness hidden within contemporary practices if we look closely enough.
Some Hindu communities in India still practice transgender worship and see it as integral to their faith. And certain Muslim societies allow for temporary marriages between men, which can include same-sex partnerships. By studying these traditions, we gain a better understanding of how religion interacts with identity politics and how they shape our present-day experiences.
Rethinking religious history through a postcolonial lens allows us to uncover lost narratives of non-heteronormativity that were once central to various cultures. These insights can help us create more inclusive spaces for diverse sexualities and gender identities and challenge dominant conceptions of power and oppression.
Can a postcolonial re-reading of religious history uncover suppressed queer narratives that once thrived before missionary intervention?
The question of whether a postcolonial re-reading of religious history can uncover suppressed queer narratives that once thrived before missionary intervention is complex and multifaceted. While there are certainly instances where this approach has been successful in providing new insights into historical practices and beliefs, it is not necessarily a straightforward endeavor.