awege

Sranan Tongo

Etymology

Possibly from Edo awuekia (“impotent man”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /aˈweɡe/, [a̠ˈwɪ̞ɟɪ̞], [ɑ̟ˈwe̝je̝]

Noun

awege

1. (dated, derogatory) male homosexual, effeminate man
   • [1936, Melville J. Herskovits, Frances S. Herskovits, Suriname folk-lore‎^[2] (in English), New York: Columbia University Press, page 32:

     It must not be understood that homosexuality is confined to women. Relationships of this type exist also among men, and in taki-taki are to be found words which are specific designations for male homosexuals, who are termed hantimąn, or awɛge.]

   • [1977, W.F.L. Buschkens, “Hoofdstuk IV. Districtsbewoners en stedelingen [Chapter IV. District dwellers and city folk]”, in Albert Helman, editor, Cultureel mozaïek van Suriname. Bijdrage tot onderling begrip. [Cultural mosaic of Suriname. A contribution to mutual understanding.]‎^[3] (in Dutch), Zutphen: De Walburg Pers, →ISBN, 4. De Creoolse bevolking [4. The Creole population.], page 265:

     De Creool veroordeelt en ridiculiseert sterk de homofilie van mannen, de awege of verwijfde man, doch is betrekkelijk tolerant ten aanzien van de homofilie van vrouwen.

     Creole men strongly condemn and ridicule homosexuality in men, the awege or effeminate man, but are relatively tolerant of homosexuality in women.]

   • 1980, Edgar Cairo, Jeje disi. Karakter's krachten. [This soul. Character's forces.]‎^[4] (in Dutch), Haarlem: In de Knipscheer, →ISBN, page 193:

     Ze heeft 'em tot awege gemaakt! Een verwijfde en slappe man zonder wil!

     She turned him into a pussy! An effeminate and feeble man without a will!

Derived terms

• uma-awege