We’wha was a Lhamana individual.

In Zuni culture, Lhamana were male-bodied people who took on social and ceremonial roles of men and women. We’wha was celebrated as a potter, weaver, and spiritual leader. They trained for years to master the elements of the pottery, many of which held ceremonial importance.

As a spiritual leader, We’wha had privileged status within and outside the community. We’wha was a negotiator of cultural differences and built relationships with people in power. This was risky at the time because European colonizers did not agree with We’wha’s gender identity.

We’wha worked hard to preserve and share the history, traditions, and knowledge of the Zuni people and became a skilled weaver, learning different looms in order to make blankets, belts, and sashes. From 1848-1880, We’wha became known for their talent as a craftsperson and was among the first Zuni to sell their pottery and textiles for money, helping raise the status of Native American art.

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