Engendering Mayan History: Kaqchikel Women as Agents and Conduits of the Past, 1875-1970

Description

Presenting Mayan history from the perspective of Mayan women–whose voices until now have not been documented–David Carey allows these women to present their worldviews in their native language| adding a rich layer to recent Latin American historiography| and increasing our comprehension of indigenous perspectives of the past.
Drawing on years of research among the Maya that specifically documents women’s oral histories| Carey gives Mayan women a platform to discuss their views on education| migrant labor| work in the home| female leadership| and globalization. These oral histories present an ideal opportunity to understand indigenous women’s approach to history| the apparent contradictions in gender roles in Mayan communities| and provide a distinct conceptual framework for analyzing Guatamalan| Mayan| and Latin American history.