Ashtime

Ashtime is a term used in Maale culture that describes an AMAB individual who dresses as a woman, performs feminine tasks, cares for their own houses, and apparently had sexual relations with men. This could be homosexual/homoromantic men, transgender women who are attracted to men, transfeminine toric non-binary individuals, or similar identities.

History and discrimination
According to Donald Donham “In 1975 I was aware of only one ashtime in Maaleland, although informants asserted that more had existed in the 19th century. Indeed, part of the Maale kin’s traditional installation had consisted of a ritual ordination of an ashtime.” Nonetheless, by 1975, the Maale considered ashtime “abnormal” and looked down on them.