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Source Record

Two-Spirit We'wha Demonstrates Zuni Weaving Techniques

Why this source is used

Smithsonian Institution Archives page on We'wha's weaving demonstrations and cultural significance.

Start with the answer

Start with the answer What do gender-diverse historical lives show? They show that people have crossed, rejected or reworked gender categories across many centuries, cultures and institutions. Read the topic guide Gender-Diverse Historical Lives Gender-diverse lives appear throughout history, from religious leaders and soldiers to Indigenous cultural ambassadors, surgeons and early transition pioneers.

Source Status

Publisher
Smithsonian Institution Archives
Type
archive
Reliability
high
Cited by
3 pages

Source Links

Open original source https://siarchives.si.edu/collections/siris_arc_389209 Accessed 5 June 2026 Open archived copy https://web.archive.org/web/*/https://siarchives.si.edu/collections/siris_arc_389209

Used by Topics

Gender-Diverse Historical Lives

Used by Questions

What do gender-diverse historical lives show?

Used by Timeline Events

24 June 1886 CulturalInternational

We'wha, Zuni Lhamana, Meets President Cleveland

We'wha (c.1849–1896), a Zuni lhamana — a traditional gender role for those assigned male at birth who take on both male and female social and ceremonial roles — travelled to Washington, D.C. and met President Grover Cleveland, presenting a handcrafted gift. Washington society assumed We'wha was a cisgender woman. The visit demonstrated the existence of respected gender-diverse roles in Indigenous cultures long before Western LGBTQ+ movements.