Neiafu, Tonga
In complete cultural contrast to the King’s visit, for Pete and Gwyn’s last night we surprised them by taking them to a show….
The Faka Leiti show.
Yes, you say it just like that. And it’s a show put on by the Faka Leitis: the lady boys!
I haven’t been able to figure it out, but all through the Pacific there are a lot of ‘middle sex’ people – hard to say whether they are men or women, but basically they are the equivalent of ‘lady boys’. Some say that it’s the youngest child in a family of sons that is brought up as a girl; others say it’s a genetic anomaly prevalent in Polynesian cultures. Whatever, there are a lot of them around and there appears to be no discrimination against them by the rest of the population.
And the show was fantastic – absolutely hilarious and everyone – performers and participating audience (think tips tucked into bras) – had a blast.
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Sel Citron 