Winkte facts for kids
Winkte (sometimes spelled wíŋkte) is a special word from the Lakota language. It comes from an older Lakota word, winyanktehca, which means 'wants to be like a woman'.
Historically, winkte referred to people who were born male but took on roles, clothing, and ways of acting that Lakota culture usually saw as feminine. These individuals were often seen as important members of the community. They were not looked down upon. In fact, some people believed winkte individuals were sacred. They were thought to have a special, unique role in the community, sometimes even fulfilling ceremonial duties that neither men nor women could do alone. Sometimes, the path to becoming a winkte was shown through dreams.
Today, the meaning of winkte can be a bit different. It is often used to describe a man who is attracted to other men. Some modern winkte people might also identify with wider communities like two-spirit people, or the LGBT community, but others might not. In today's Lakota communities, how people view winkte individuals can vary, from being very accepting to less understanding.
Understanding the Word "Winkte"
The word winkte has a deep meaning in the Lakota language. A famous Lakota scholar named Beatrice Medicine explained it. She said that when she was a child, everyone knew about this group of people called winkte.
The word can be broken down:
- win means "woman"
- kte can mean "to be like" or, in a deeper sense, "to kill"
So, the common way people understood winkte was "wants to be like a woman."
Beatrice Medicine also shared that children were taught: "There are these individuals – they are always males. They are different. They are winkte. Don't make fun of them. They are also Lakota." This shows that even from a young age, Lakota children were taught to respect and accept winkte people as part of their community.
See also
In Spanish: Winkte para niños
