Editing Emasculation (section)

=== Religious ===
==== Skoptsy ====
{{Main|Skoptsy}}
[[File:Skoptsy man and woman.jpg|thumb|Emasculated Skoptsy male (left) and Skoptsy female with breasts cut off (right)|upright=1.1]]
Emasculation was one form of genital mutilation practiced by the Skoptsy, a Russian Christian sect. For males, the other form of mutilation available was castration. Females could remove their nipples, breasts, [[labia majora]], [[labia minora]] or [[clitoris]].{{Sfn|Engelstein|1997|p=6}} These practices may have begun sometime during the 1760s, after the sect was founded by Kondratii Selivanov, although they were only discovered by the broader community in 1772.{{Sfn|Engelstein|1997|p=2}} They continued up until the 1930s, when the sect was destroyed and its members sentenced.{{Sfn|Emeliantseva|2009|p=190}}

The Skoptsy practiced genital mutilation because they believed the genitals were the source of original sin, and that by removing them, they could attain salvation.{{Sfn|Engelstein|1999|p=13}} The aim of removing the offending genitalia was to purify the body.{{Sfnm|1a1=Engelstein|1y=1999|1p=12|2a1=Goldberg|2y=1930|2p=346}} Their belief was based on a literal reading of the verse of [[Matthew 19:12]], which states: "There are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake."{{Sfn|Wilson|2018|p=565}} In addition, the verses of [[Matthew 18]]:8,9 and [[Luke 23]]:29 were also cited as support.{{Sfn|Engelstein|1999|p=14}} Of the two types of genital mutilation available to men, emasculation was called the Greater Seal. Castration, by comparison, was called the Lesser Seal.{{Sfnm|1a1=Engelstein|1y=1997|1p=5|2a1=Goldberg|2y=1930|2p=348}} Emasculation was preferable because it rendered a recipient physically incapable of engaging in sinful sexual conduct, allowing them to attain a higher level of purity.

Originally, the emasculation procedure was performed by burning the testicles off with an iron.{{Sfnm|1a1=Engelstein|1y=1997|1p=5|2a1=Goldberg|2y=1930|2p=347}} Later, the genitals were tied at the base and removed using a knife or razor blade. The wound was then cauterised, or a [[salve]] was applied, to prevent bleeding. Many Skoptsy were peasants and were familiar with animal husbandry, which meant their emasculation procedures were often performed with "surgical precision."{{Sfn|Wilson|2018|p=566}} In some instances, members of the Skoptsy would perform the emasculation on themselves, in an act of [[self-surgery]], though it was more typical for the procedure to be performed by an elder during a ceremony.{{Sfn|Engelstein|1997|p=6}}

==== Hijra ====
{{Main|Hijra (South Asia)}}
Throughout the [[Indian subcontinent|Indian subcontinent tradition]], including India, Bangladesh and Pakistan, some members of the [[hijra (Indian subcontinent)|Hijra]] community reportedly undergo emasculation, or ''nirvan.''{{Sfnm|1a1=Bellringer|1y=2017a|1p=249|2a1=Stief|2y=2017|2p=74}}

Traditionally, emasculation was a [[rite of passage]] into the Hijra community.{{Sfnm|1a1=Nanda|1y=1984|1pp=59, 73|2a1=Nanda|2y=1999|2pp=26}} Today it remains an important ritual, though is not mandatory or universally practiced.{{Sfnm|1a1=Khan|1y=2017|1p=1284|2a1=Nanda|2y=1984|2p=73|3a1=Singh|3a2=Kumar|3y=2020|3p=84|4a1=Stief|4y=2017|4p=75}} When it is performed, it typically occurs several years after an individual has already participated within the Hijra community. While some Hijra are emasculated, others are intersex, undeveloped in puberty or impotent.{{Sfnm|1a1=Khan|1y=2016|1p=219|2a1=Khan|2a2=Khan|2a3=Rahman|2a4=Gourab|2y=2016|2p=2|3a1=Khan|3y=2017|3p=1284}}

Whether or not a Hijra undergoes emasculation is influenced by a range of considerations. Some people are not emasculated because they are fearful of surgical complications, are under financial constraints, or merely as a matter of personal choice.{{Sfnm|1a1=Nanda|1y=1984|1p=73|2a1=Singh|2a2=Kumar|2y=2020|2p=84}} For Muslim Hijra, emasculation may be avoided due to the belief that genital mutilation goes against Allah's will.{{Sfn|Hossain|2017|p=1420}}
Others see emasculation as necessary in order to be 'reborn' as a Hijra. In this view, emasculated Hijra are seen as more 'real' than those who are not.{{Sfnm|1a1=Hossain|1y=2017|1p=1420|2a1=Nanda|2y=1984|2p=73|3a1=Nanda|3y=1999|3pp=26, 37}} The decision to be emasculated may also be motivated by personal beliefs about whether a Hijra can have spiritual powers without undergoing the procedure. Amongst members of the Hijra community, this issue is subject to considerable debate.{{Sfn|Hossain|2017|p=1420}}

In the past, the emasculation procedure was performed by barbers or by the individual themselves (i.e. self-emasculation).{{Sfn|Nanda|1984|p=64}} Nowadays, the operation is performed by a Hijra elder, also called a ''dai ma'' (midwife).{{Sfnm|1a1=Nanda|1y=1984|1p=84, 73|2a1=Nanda|2y=1999|2pp=27}} They have no medical training, but believe they operate with the power of the patron goddess, [[Bahuchara Mata]].{{Sfn|Nanda|1999|p=27}} The operation takes place early in the morning, around 3{{nbsp}}a.m. or 4{{nbsp}}a.m.{{Sfn|Nanda|1999|p=27}} Anesthesia is not administered.  {{Sfn|Nanda|1984|p=73}} The penis and testes are tied together with a string, and the elder then makes two diagonal cuts with a sharp surgical knife to completely excise the organs.{{Sfnm|1a1=Nanda|1y=1984|1p=73, 73|2a1=Nanda|2y=1999|2pp=28}} The elder allows the blood to gush from the wound, which is considered necessary to completely cleanse the recipient of their male parts. This is one reason why the procedure is performed by an elder rather than a medical professional, who might try to stop the haemorrhage, thus interfering with the ritual's cleansing effect.{{Sfnm|1a1=Nanda|1y=1984|1p=84, 74|2a1=Nanda|2y=1999|2pp=28}} Afterwards, no stitches are taken and the wound is left exposed, although a small stick is inserted into the urethra to prevent [[urethral stricture]].{{Sfn|Nanda|1999|p=28}}