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?

Contents......Page 8 Acknowledgments......Page 10 The Blue Mortuary......Page 16 The Politician......Page 31 Honoring San Vicente......Page 35 The Apologist......Page 47 Lavada......Page 50 The Russian......Page 68 Quintessential Isthmus Women......Page 71 The Kid......Page 80 Vela Zandunga......Page 83 The Spy......Page 102 The Other City Hall......Page 106 The Princess......Page 112 Purse Strings......Page 117 The Blaseña......Page 134 Tirada de Frutas......Page 139 The Radical......Page 151 Day of the Dead......Page 156 The Italian......Page 170 Bloqueo......Page 175 The Journalist......Page 186 Marketplace Tehuantepec......Page 190 The Filmmaker......Page 209 Inventing Santa Inés......Page 214 The Grad Student......Page 232 Green Mangos......Page 236 The Investigator......Page 249 The General’s Daughter......Page 254 Epilogue......Page 264 Bibliography......Page 272 Index......Page 276