Les sociétés matriarcales: Recherches sur les cultures autochtones à travers le monde

by Heide Göttner-Abendroth, Camille Chaplain (Translator)

This book presents the results of Heide Goettner-Abendroth's pioneering research in the field of modern matriarchal studies, based on a new definition of �matriarchy� as true gender-egalitarian societies. Accordingly, matriarchal societies should not be regarded as mirror images of patriarchal ones, as they have never needed patriarchy's hierarchical structures of domination. On the contrary, matriarchal patterns are socially egalitarian, economically balanced, and politically based on consensus decisions. They have been created by women and are founded on maternal values. This new perspective on matriarchal societies is developed step by step by the analysis of extant indigenous cultures in Asia, Africa, and the Americas.

Genres: Feminism, Nonfiction, Anthropology, History, Womens, Relationships, Science

570 pages, Paperback

First published March 27, 2012

Reviews

[Elena Skoko · Rating 5 out of 5]

The cover of the English version of this important book doesn't match its mind blowing yet serious content: instead of a dull anonymous graphics there should be a colorful picture of a Mexican fiesta. This book has gained its status of the most important title on my shelves. It's a rigorous study of potentially one of the most revolutionary information today: matriarchy is not a myth and it is still alive and rocking! Forget about feminist angst, forget about gender studies - Matriarchal Studies is the new thing and it's got all the potential to change the world. There is so much still out there, and in this book we get to know most of it systematically and methodically organized. I have seen the light.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This worldchanging, mindblowing book shows the way home. Its exhaustive documented research demonstrates illuminates the widespread patterns of indigenous matriarchal cultures found across the globe. As a poet, I can say that this work resonates deeply with my inner awareness of how we can live most easily, how we can live most joyfully, and also how we must live if we are to survive as a species. Thank you Heide Gottner-Abendroth for illuminating such a clear, joyful, and necessary path.

[Eliza · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recommend to anyone interested in matriarchal studies. The book covers a vast set of matriarchal cultures across the world.

[Martina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ho acquistato questo libro per Natale e l'ho finito solo ieri sera, anche se in realtà pensavo di metterci di più. Il motivo per cui ci ho messo così tanto a finirlo non è tanto la sua lunghezza ma la grande mole di informazioni contenute e la complessità dell'argomento. "Le società matriarcali " di Heide Goettner Abendroth è un saggio di antropologia che analizza, come si evince dal titolo, le società di stampo matriarcale presenti storicamente nel nostro mondo. La trattazione è divisa in tre parti, una dedicata alle civiltà dell'Asia, una dedicata alle Americhe e l'ultima all'Africa, e all'interno di ogni partizione vengono analizzati nel dettaglio i singoli popoli, dalla localizzazione geografica ai rituali religiosi, dall'architettura delle abitazioni all'economia, dalle regole sociali alla storia. Vengono messi in evidenza i tratti comuni di queste civiltà, come i matrimoni di gruppo, la spiritualità incentrata su una divinità Madre, la distribuzione di potere fra uomini e donne e vengono comparate queste strutture con quelle delle civiltà patriarcali. Ne emergono civiltà molto più complesse di quello che si può pensare, basate su regole e principi sociali completamente diversi da quelli a cui siamo abituati. È una lettura nel complesso molto impegnativa, a tratti un po' ripetitiva dato che per l'appunto la maggior parte delle civiltà descritte condividono un impianto simile, ma tuttavia l'argomento trattato è molto interessante. In questo periodo, poi, che non è possibile viaggiare, questo libro ti regala un bel viaggio "virtuale" in giro per il mondo, dalle montagne dell'Himalaya al deserto del Sahara passando dal Rio delle Amazzoni. La tematica trattata è poco conosciuta e penso che con una maggiore divulgazione potrebbe portare dei bei cambiamenti positivi alle nostre società odierne. È sempre piacevole conoscere culture diverse e scoprire che aldilà dei nostri ristretti orizzonti ci sono tanti nuovi mondi affascinanti e che esistono tante alternative e percorsi di vita diversi.

[Al · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this one chapter a month as part of a book group which was a good way to split it up as it is an academic read and hard-going in places.
It provides a fascinating and well researched account of matriarchies across the globe and I learnt a lot about the themes and similarities between these cultures.
As other reviewers have said, it is a biased account. It reveres women and any society where women are in charge, arguing that these are entirely peaceful societies and not offering comment on difficult issues such as human sacrifice and infanticide.
I did enjoy it but due to the bias found it hard to trust what I was being told. I would have preferred more discussion about the inequalities of each set-up and would have liked to try to understand what it was like for outliers or rebels in each society, as we never heard differing voices, as if it was one cohesive whole in each area.

[Dounia Rezki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ce livre est une petite pépite on y apprend de nombreuses cultures peu connues et on se confronte à un autre point de vue. Contrairement à ce qu'on pourrait penser les sociétés matriarcales ne sont pas vraiment l'inverse des sociétés patriarcales les hommes ayant une place tout aussi valorisée que celle les femmes. Assez bien documenté avec beaucoup de liens entre les cultures, on voyage de pays en pays. Les résumés synthétiques à la fin de chaque chapitre sont très appréciables, j'ai rarement vu ce format.

[treelady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Groundbreaking. Lifechanging. Can't recommend highly enough.

[fausto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leí la versión en español del libro, traducido en 2017 por la editorial La Casa del Mago en Guadalajara, México, y es de esta versión de quien hago la siguiente reseña:
El libro de Göttner-Abendroth es un análisis sistemático de distintas sociedades que ella denomina como "matriarcales", debo enfatizar, en su mayoría de sociedades que existen hasta el día de hoy y de cuya fe de existencia está más allá de dudas, algunas de estas sociedades documentadas se encuentran en un peligro proceso de occidentalización. Göttner-Abendroth determina en la primera parte del libro aquellas características que identificarían como "matriarcal" a una sociedad: la matrilinialidad, la matrifocalidad, la tenencia femenina de la propiedad (o bien, del clan materno), la existencia de relaciones igualitarias entre los sexos y el énfasis en la espiritualidad de la diosa.
Sociedades como los mosuo, los kashi, los minangkabau, los arahuacos, los haudenosaunee, los bantú y los tuareg, parecen en efecto, reunir todos estos requisitos, la extensa docuemntación de Göttner-Abendroth nos señala sociedades que efectivamente han asegurado enormes posiciones de poder a los clanes maternos, donde la autoridad máxima reposa en las matronas de estos clanes y sus organizaciones, y donde generalmente la paternidad carece de función social.
Otras tantas de las sociedades documentadas presentan variaciones matriarcales, o más bien, sencillamente se organizan de manera matrilineal, mucha de esa evidencia nos muestra a mujeres que poseían distintos niveles de poder, pero donde éste era de carácter indirecto, virtualmente ilegítimo.
Tengo dos razones fundamentales para darle 4 y no 5 estrellas al libro: 1) la sucesiva repetición de las mismas ideas: particularmente su énfasis en formas de organización propiamente matriarcal que fueron especificadas en las primeras secciones y que la autora reitera hasta llegar al cansancio, 2) su forma idílica de retratar a estas sociedades, la mayoría de veces su enfoque parece acercarse más al de un cuento fantástico que al de un análisis antropológico, muchas de estas sociedades tienen evidentemente sus propios problemas y disputas, son sociedades que viven en la historia de la humanidad y constituidas por seres humanos complejos, no por caricaturas de un idilio.

El libro es un excelente acercamiento a los estudios matriarcales modernos, y evidentemente es producto de una exhaustiva y larga investigación, resulta genuinamente alarmante la defensiva contra los estudios de sociedad de derecho materno aún cuando tenemos kilómetros de evidencia sobre su existencia.

[Valentín Serrano García · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great review but biased and flawed.
Sometimes it is even comical and unreliable, due to its political commitment. Sometimes looks like a pamphlet.
Anthropologically there is much ideology blinding facts not easy to grasp.
The author belongs to a feminist trend committed with the divinization of women as mother, among other "obsessions".
Another feminist trends are more reliable.

Anyway, a good survey of "matriarcal" societies, if you are advised about its biases.

[Lina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Passionnant. Abendroth questionne nos structures sociales actuelles, très inégalitaires, et propose une vision alternative de l’organisation sociale, qui se veut plus équilibrée, coopérative, tout en appelant à une réévaluation des rapports de pouvoir dans le monde contemporain.

[Lilith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing and magnificent.

[Regina · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful book! Thoroughly researched and rich with information! The chapters on the Iroquois women, Amazon warrior women, and the Berber/Tuareg women are especially memorable. Highly recommend!