Matriarchal Societies: Studies on Indigenous Cultures Across the Globe

Heide Göttner-Abendroth

Peter Lang, 2012 - Social Science - 533 pages

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.

What people are saying

User Review -

This worldchanging and exhaustively researched book shows how prevalent, and how natural, are the widespread patterns of life in 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, and soon, if we are to survive as a species. Thank you Heide Gottner-Abendroth for illuminating such a clear and necessary path.  

About the author

Heide Goettner-Abendroth is a German philosopher and researcher of culture and society who is focused on matriarchal studies. She taught at the University of Munich and was visiting professor at the University of Montreal, Canada and the University of Innsbruck, Austria. She organized and guided two World Congresses on Matriarchal Studies in 2003 and 2005. She was nominated as one of the «1000 Women for the Nobel Peace Prize» in 2005.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Matriarchal Societies: Studies on Indigenous Cultures Across the Globe
• Author: Heide Göttner-Abendroth
• Edition: illustrated
• Publisher: Peter Lang, 2012
• ISBN: 1433113376, 9781433113376
• Length: 533 pages
• Subjects: Social Science / Women's Studies