Into the Hearts of the Amazons : In Search of a Modern Matriarchy

Into the Hearts of the Amazons is part rousing travel adventure through a little-known world and part popular ethnography, exploring how Zapotec women earned their legendary status in a remote corner of southern Mexico. To satisfy his curiosity about this culture, Tom DeMott journeyed to the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, where he discovered a thriving modern-day matriarchy among the people of the Isthmus—a cultural crossroads, breeding ground for rebels, and home to a half-million Zapotecs. DeMott integrated himself into the culture by joining in the rites of spring (where women pelt the men with fruit); by interviewing the women who control the marketplace where men are rarely seen; and by honoring the saints with drink and dance at all-night ceremonies. Evoking these singular women and their culture, DeMott tackles a primal question: What would life be like if women, rather than men, had the advantage?'For centuries the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, like a magnet, has attracted travelers, adventurers, scholars, romantics, and rebels. Something about Oaxaca and the Zapotec culture appeals to the curious and restless. DeMott's fine memoir captures the spirit of this quest. It will be of interest to anthropologists and general readers alike.'—Howard Campbell, author of Zapotec Struggles'Driven by an unquenchable personal passion for his subject, Tom DeMott has produced an exceptional narrative that deconstructs the clichés of a Mexican region and a people shrouded in romance and myth. Acutely observed, richly experienced, Into the Hearts of the Amazons exposes issues of matriarchy and culture through intimate, often bizarre, and surreal yet indelibly moving close encounters with the people of Juchitán and Tehuantepec.'—Tony Cohan, author of On Mexican Time and Mexican Days Into the Hearts of the Amazons is part rousing travel adventure through a little-known world and part popular ethnography, exploring how Zapotec women earned their legendary status in a remote corner of southern Mexico. To satisfy his curiosity about this culture, Tom DeMott journeyed to the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, where he discovered a thriving modern-day matriarchy among the people of the Isthmusa cultural crossroads, breeding ground for rebels, and home to a half-million Zapotecs. DeMott integrated himself into the culture by joining in the rites of spring (where women pelt the men with fruit); by interviewing the women who control the marketplace where men are rarely seen; and by honoring the saints with drink and dance at all-night ceremonies. Evoking these singular women and their culture, DeMott tackles a primal What would life be like if women, rather than men, had the advantage? "For centuries the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, like a magnet, has attracted travelers, adventurers, scholars, romantics, and rebels. Something about Oaxaca and the Zapotec culture appeals to the curious and restless. DeMott's fine memoir captures the spirit of this quest. It will be of interest to anthropologists and general readers alike."Howard Campbell, author of Zapotec Struggles "Driven by an unquenchable personal passion for his subject, Tom DeMott has produced an exceptional narrative that deconstructs the clichs of a Mexican region and a people shrouded in romance and myth. Acutely observed, richly experienced, Into the Hearts of the Amazons exposes issues of matriarchy and culture through intimate, often bizarre, and surreal yet indelibly moving close encounters with the people of Juchitn and Tehuantepec."Tony Cohan, author of On Mexican Time and Mexican Days Into The Hearts Of The Amazons Is Part Rousing Travel Adventure Through A Little-known World And Part Popular Ethnography, Exploring How Zapotec Women Earned Their Legendary Status In A Remote Corner Of Southern Mexico. To Satisfy His Curiosity About This Culture, Tom Demott Journeyed To The Isthmus Of Tehuantepec, Where He Discovered A Thriving Modern-day Matriarchy Among The People Of The Isthmus - A Cultural Crossroads, Breeding Ground For Rebels, And Home To A Half-million Zapotecs. Demott Integrated Himself Into The Culture By Joining In The Rites Of Spring (where Women Pelt The Men With Fruit); By Interviewing The Women Who Control The Marketplace Where Men Are Rarely Seen; And By Honoring The Saints With Drink And Dance At All-night Ceremonies. Evoking These Singular Women And Their Culture, Demott Tackles A Primal Question: What Would Life Be Like If Women, Rather Than Men, Had The Advantage?--jacket. The Blue Mortuary -- The Politician -- Honoring San Vicente -- The Apologist -- Lavada -- The Russian -- Quintessential Isthmus Women -- The Kid -- Vela Zandunga -- The Spy -- The Other City Hall -- The Princess -- Purse Strings -- The Blaseña -- Tirada De Frutas -- The Radical -- Day Of The Dead -- The Italian -- Bloqueo -- The Journalist -- Marketplace Tehuantepec -- The Filmmaker -- Inventing Santa Inés -- The Grad Student -- Green Mangos -- The Investigator -- The General's Daughter. Tom Demott. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 259-262) And Index.

Into the Hearts of the Amazons is part rousing travel adventure through a little-known world and part popular ethnography, exploring how Zapotec women earned their legendary status in a remote corner of southern Mexico. To satisfy his curiosity about this culture, Tom DeMott journeyed to the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, where he discovered a thriving modern-day matriarchy among the people of the Isthmus—a cultural crossroads, breeding ground for rebels, and home to a half-million Zapotecs. DeMott integrated himself into the culture by joining in the rites of spring (where women pelt the men with fruit); by interviewing the women who control the marketplace where men are rarely seen; and by honoring the saints with drink and dance at all-night ceremonies. Evoking these singular women and their culture, DeMott tackles a primal question: What would life be like if women, rather than men, had the advantage?

Frontmatter Acknowledgments (page ix) The Blue Mortuary (page 3) The Politician (page 18) Honoring San Vicente (page 22) The Apologist (page 34) Lavada (page 37) The Russian (page 55) Quintessential Isthmus Women (page 58) The Kid (page 67) Vela Zandunga (page 70) The Spy (page 89) The Other City Hall (page 93) The Princess (page 99) Purse Strings (page 104) The Blaseña (page 121) Tirada de Frutas (page 126) The Radical (page 138) Day of the Dead (page 143) The Italian (page 157) Bloqueo (page 162) The Journalist (page 173) Marketplace Tehuantepec (page 177) The Filmmaker (page 196) Inventing Santa Inés (page 201) The Grad Student (page 219) Green Mangos (page 223) The Investigator (page 236) The General's Daughter (page 241) Epilogue (page 251) Bibliography (page 259) Index (page 263)