A study of transvestites: The self-presentation of bissu

Abstract

The objectives of this research were to determine how the front and backstage behind a bissu is and to investigate the self-presentation of bissu among societies in South Sulawesi. This research applied qualitative explorative with dramaturgy approach with 9 bissu as the informants disseminated in four regencies in South Sulawesi. The data were collected through observation, interview and documentation, and were analyzed using an interactive model with data validity checking techniques and triangulation. The result shows that based on their physical appearance, behaviour, and attitude within social environment in the front stage, bissu are loyal and obedient towards norms and values prevailed within societies through their roles as a priest of ancient Bugis. Meanwhile, their backstage which gets less attention of values and norms enables them to meet their financial needs, sex, and self-existence as calabai (waria) who still desire for a guy. Self-presentation as a bissu and beyond "calabai" (waria) shows the difference of each informant in managing roles and self-impression they want to display and perceive both in the front and in the back stage.