Femminiello
Encyclopedia
The femminiello or femmeniello (femminielli is the plural) in Neapolitan
culture is a male transvestite, not simply a male homosexual; it refers in Naples
to men who, in addition to their natural inclinations, have been, as they now say, "gendered" to dress and behave as women and who often engage in prostitution
.
But they are male; they know it and everyone else knows it. It bears emphasis that femminiello is not a derogatory term. The grammar is clear: the diminutive -iello is a term of endearment, and the masculine suffix, -o, is attached to the word for woman; roughly, it translates as "little man-woman". It is not an insult; that is, it doesn't mean "queer" or "faggot"; it is a description and term of acceptance for those who for many, many centuries have fit into the hidden echelons of Neapolitan culture in their own way.
are numerous: for example, Hermaphroditus
, who possessed the beauty of the mother, Aphrodite
, and the strength of the father, Hermes
; or Tiresias
, the blind prophet of Thebes, famous for being transformed into a woman for seven years. Both of these personages and, indeed, others in many cultures in the world are presumed to possess something that others do not: the wise equilibrium that comes from knowing both worlds, masculine and feminine.
, where the highest priests of the mysterious religion of the Uranian
s from all over Europe came to participate. The Asian cult of the Uranian religion was introduced into Europe from Persia shortly before the time of Christ, and by the time of the reign of Tiberius
this most ancient ceremony was celebrated in many secret temples in Rome.
The femminiello in Campania
, enjoy a relatively privileged position thanks to their participation in some traditional events, such as Candelora al Santuario di Montevergine, Candlemas at the Sanctuary of Montevergine
in Avellino
or the Tammurriata, performed at the feast of Madonna dell'Arco in Sant'Anastasia
.
Neapolitan
Neapolitan may refer to:* Neapolitan, of or pertaining to the city of Naples, Italy and sometimes its wider Duchy or Province of Naples** Previously a nationality, during the time of the Kingdom of Naples or the Neapolitan Republics* Neapolitan cuisine...
culture is a male transvestite, not simply a male homosexual; it refers in Naples
Naples
Naples is a city in Southern Italy, situated on the country's west coast by the Gulf of Naples. Lying between two notable volcanic regions, Mount Vesuvius and the Phlegraean Fields, it is the capital of the region of Campania and of the province of Naples...
to men who, in addition to their natural inclinations, have been, as they now say, "gendered" to dress and behave as women and who often engage in prostitution
Prostitution
Prostitution is the act or practice of providing sexual services to another person in return for payment. The person who receives payment for sexual services is called a prostitute and the person who receives such services is known by a multitude of terms, including a "john". Prostitution is one of...
.
But they are male; they know it and everyone else knows it. It bears emphasis that femminiello is not a derogatory term. The grammar is clear: the diminutive -iello is a term of endearment, and the masculine suffix, -o, is attached to the word for woman; roughly, it translates as "little man-woman". It is not an insult; that is, it doesn't mean "queer" or "faggot"; it is a description and term of acceptance for those who for many, many centuries have fit into the hidden echelons of Neapolitan culture in their own way.
History
The constant references in many sources to the ancient rituals behind the presence of the femminiello in Naples require little comment. The links to ancient Greek mythologyGreek mythology
Greek mythology is the body of myths and legends belonging to the ancient Greeks, concerning their gods and heroes, the nature of the world, and the origins and significance of their own cult and ritual practices. They were a part of religion in ancient Greece...
are numerous: for example, Hermaphroditus
Hermaphroditus
In Greek mythology, Hermaphroditus or Hermaphroditos was the child of Aphrodite and Hermes. He was a minor deity of bisexuality and effeminacy. According to Ovid, born a remarkably handsome boy, he was transformed into an androgynous being by union with the water nymph Salmacis...
, who possessed the beauty of the mother, Aphrodite
Aphrodite
Aphrodite is the Greek goddess of love, beauty, pleasure, and procreation.Her Roman equivalent is the goddess .Historically, her cult in Greece was imported from, or influenced by, the cult of Astarte in Phoenicia....
, and the strength of the father, Hermes
Hermes
Hermes is the great messenger of the gods in Greek mythology and a guide to the Underworld. Hermes was born on Mount Kyllini in Arcadia. An Olympian god, he is also the patron of boundaries and of the travelers who cross them, of shepherds and cowherds, of the cunning of thieves, of orators and...
; or Tiresias
Tiresias
In Greek mythology, Tiresias was a blind prophet of Thebes, famous for clairvoyance and for being transformed into a woman for seven years. He was the son of the shepherd Everes and the nymph Chariclo; Tiresias participated fully in seven generations at Thebes, beginning as advisor to Cadmus...
, the blind prophet of Thebes, famous for being transformed into a woman for seven years. Both of these personages and, indeed, others in many cultures in the world are presumed to possess something that others do not: the wise equilibrium that comes from knowing both worlds, masculine and feminine.
Ceremony
The figliata dei femminielli (marriage of the femminielli) was a sacred ceremony held in secret every year in Torre del GrecoTorre del Greco
-Main sights:*Roman archaeological remains, including the so-called "Villa Sora" , probably a property of the Flavians.*Monastery of the Zoccolanti, with a cloister housing 28 frescoed panels depicting the life of St...
, where the highest priests of the mysterious religion of the Uranian
Uranian
frame|right|From [[John Addington Symonds]]' 1891 book A Problem in Modern Ethics.Uranian is a 19th century term that referred to a person of a third sex — originally, someone with "a female psyche in a male body" who is sexually attracted to men, and later extended to cover homosexual gender...
s from all over Europe came to participate. The Asian cult of the Uranian religion was introduced into Europe from Persia shortly before the time of Christ, and by the time of the reign of Tiberius
Tiberius
Tiberius , was Roman Emperor from 14 AD to 37 AD. Tiberius was by birth a Claudian, son of Tiberius Claudius Nero and Livia Drusilla. His mother divorced Nero and married Augustus in 39 BC, making him a step-son of Octavian...
this most ancient ceremony was celebrated in many secret temples in Rome.
Tradition
Generally femminielli are considered good luck. For this reason, it is popular in the neighborhoods for a femminiello to hold a newborn baby, or participate in games such as bingo.The femminiello in Campania
Campania
Campania is a region in southern Italy. The region has a population of around 5.8 million people, making it the second-most-populous region of Italy; its total area of 13,590 km² makes it the most densely populated region in the country...
, enjoy a relatively privileged position thanks to their participation in some traditional events, such as Candelora al Santuario di Montevergine, Candlemas at the Sanctuary of Montevergine
Montevergine
thumb|250px|The Sanctuary of Montevergine.The Montevergine, also known as Partenio or Monti di Avella, is a limestone massif in Campania, central Italy, part of the Apennine chain. It is located near Avellino, in the comune of Mercogliano...
in Avellino
Avellino
Avellino is a town and comune, capital of the province of Avellino in the Campania region of southern Italy. It is situated in a plain surrounded by mountains 42 km north-east of Naples and is an important hub on the road from Salerno to Benevento.-History:Before the Roman conquest, the...
or the Tammurriata, performed at the feast of Madonna dell'Arco in Sant'Anastasia
Sant'Anastasia
Sant'Anastasia is a comune in the Province of Naples in the Italian region Campania, located about 13 km northeast of Naples....
.
Theatre
In a stage production called La Gatta Cenerentola (The Cat Cinderella), by Roberto De Simone, femmenielli play the roles of several important characters. Among the major scenes in this respect are the rosario dei femmenielli and il suicidio del femminiella.External links
Mythology of femminielli in Naples Back to flourish the old Neapolitan femmenella The femminielli, from the book "Le ragioni di della Ragione"- Videoclip: La Gatta Cenerentola - Il suicidio del femminella - theatre performance.
- Videoclip: Peppe Barra - Il Matrimonio di Vincenzella - theatre performance.
Sources
- de Blasio, Abele; (1897); Usi e costumi dei camorristi; Gambella, Naples. Reprint: Edizioni del Delfino, Naples, 1975
- della Ragione A. I Femminielli. On-line at Guide Campania. (retrieved: Nov. 12, 2009)
- Malaparte, Curzio. La Pelle. Vallechi editore. Florence. 1961
- Eugenio Zito, Paolo Valerio, Corpi sull'uscio, identità possibili. Il fenomeno dei femminielli a Napoli, Filema, 2010
See also
- LGBT rights in Italy
- List of transgender-related topics