The Woman Who Turned Into a Jaguar, and Other Narratives of Native Women in Archives of Colonial Mexico - by Lisa Sousa (Paperback)

The Woman Who Turned into a Jaguar is an extraordinary book that sheds light on the rich and complex history of indigenous women in Mexico during the prehispanic and colonial periods.

Through a meticulous analysis of archival, textual, and pictorial sources, Lisa Sousa uncovers the intricate lives of four native groups in highland Mexico - Nahua, Mixtec, Zapotec, and Mixe - revealing the unique position of women within these communities. The book delves into the various aspects of women's lives, including their names, age, social standing, identities, ethnicities, family, dress, work, roles, sexuality, acts of resistance, and relationships with men and other women.

Sousa masterfully weaves together these diverse strands to create a comprehensive portrait of gender relations in Mesoamerica, challenging the dominant narrative of patriarchal domination and revealing the complementary nature of gender roles in prehispanic and colonial societies. With a focus on household and individual agency in shaping sociocultural change, The Woman Who Turned into a Jaguar offers a groundbreaking contribution to our understanding of indigenous women's history.

Sousa's work is not only a testament to the resilience and creativity of these women but also a powerful tool for decolonizing gender analysis and challenging Eurocentric perspectives on Mesoamerican cultures. Whether you are an academic, a student, or simply a curious reader, this book is sure to captivate and inspire.

With its rich contents, The Woman Who Turned into a Jaguar restores a trend Sousa helped establish and provides access to a complex universe of preconquest and colonial women's lives, roles, and experiences.

So why wait? Order your copy today and discover the magic of indigenous Mexican women's history!