In various Native American tribes, a berdache was a man who dressed and lived entirely as a
woman, fulfiling that
cultural role within the tribe. In the native language, he was sometimes referred to as a "would-be woman," and was sometimes thought of as a third or separate sex. Common among the tribes of the Americas, these men-women had both social and religious powers. They might be givers of
sacred names; first to strike the sun-dance pole; leaders of ritual dances; good luck bringers to war parties;
visionaries and
predictors of the future;
matchmakers; artisans in beadwork, quillwork, hide-tanning and making clothing; creators and
singers of songs. Understood as
following a sacred vision by most Indians, they were not well-tolerated by whites. They persist today, discreetly.