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Glite Dictionary
mahu community

mahu community

9.9
A group in Hawaii of people who see themselves as both male and female
  • noun
  • /ˈmɑːhuː kəˈmjuːnɪti/
translation icon : comunidad mahu
  • Many members of the mahu community engage in cultural practices that celebrate both masculine and feminine identities.

Examples

  • Many members of the mahu community work to educate others about Hawaiian traditions.

  • The mahu community plays an important role in Hawaiian culture.

  • The mahu community celebrated their heritage with a parade.

  • The contributions of the mahu community are recognized throughout the islands.

  • Many people admire the mahu community for its unique traditions.

  • The mahu community plays an important role in preserving Hawaiian culture and traditions.

  • The mahu community has a rich history that influences contemporary Hawaiian society.

Surface Forms

mahu community singular
mahu communities plural

Morphology

mahu + community

The phrase follows a simple compositional pattern: 'mahu' (a social/identity label) + 'community' (a group of people), so its meaning 'the community of mahu people' is directly derivable from the parts. Although 'mahu' is culture-specific and may be unfamiliar to many learners, given knowledge of both constituents the compound is transparent and follows a common 'X community' pattern.

Etymology

Mahu community comes from the Hawaiian word mahu, for people who stand 'between' the usual male and female roles and who often keep important cultural knowledge. So today mahu community means a group of people with 'both masculine and feminine characteristics' who have a special place in Hawaiian culture.