Gender System

Gender Roles

The Zapotec generally practice monogamy or serial monogamy (Stephen 2002). Though there are gender roles and other traditions within Zapotec societies, these traditions have changed through history in terms of work positions and clothing. Gender roles have also been challenged by the third gender in Zapotec culture.

 Work

          The Zapotec have been influenced by both egalitarian systems as well as male-dominated ones. Traditionally, women's roles have been outlined as primarily parenting duties whereas men's work is outside the home. Women and men are generally separated except when eating or at special get-togethers (Stephen 2002:41-59). However, some sources suggest that indigenous customs involved reversed roles and many men actually stayed at home while women worked. It was not until Catholic and male-dominated systems came to influence the Zapotec that the Zapotec adopted more typical gender roles (Zapotec Peoples 2012). Both egalitarian and male-dominated influences are in effect today and many women find work to support the family. The demand for textiles has created an opportunity for women to become major forces in the Zapotec economy. Many women have joined the large network of textile workers and many go to marketplaces to sell goods (Stephen 2002).

Textile worker (Hawthorne 2012)

 

Marketplace (Lindsay 2009)

Zapotec farmer (Mindling 2006)

Dress

         Zapotec women traditionally wear skirts, shawls and headpieces. Men wear trousers, loose shirts and occasionally hats. However, industrialization and globalization has brought various and more modern dress options to the Zapotec communities (Zapotec 2012).

Traditional Oaxaca dress

(Eagle Journey 2013)

Third Gender

          Within Zapotec culture, there is a third gender referred to as "muxe" (Rama 2012). The muxe gender usually involves biologically male members of Zapotec society. These individuals dress and act as Zapotec women typically would. It is stated that this gender was more accepted and valued before male-dominated and Catholic values influenced the Zapotec later on (Rama 2012). However, many still respect and value the muxe gender in Zapotec societies and regard these individuals as loving and admirably fearless (Rama 2012). There are even celebrations for the muxe gender (called "Vigil of the Intrepids") and some Catholic priests hold services for people that are of the muxe gender (Rama 2012).

 Alex Hernandez at a Vigil of the Intrepids Celebration

(Rama 2012)

Works Cited 

2013 Eagle Journey: A Journey Through Mexico's History. Journey Latin America.    
    Electronic Document. https://www.journeylatinamerica.co.uk/Holiday-Types/Classic- Tours/Holiday-List/Aztecs-And-Mayas---Cultura-(1).aspx?subtab=itineraryct&country=Mexico&page= Accessed April 8.

2012 Zapotec. Encyclopedia Britannica. Electronic Document.
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/655895/Zapotec    Accessed March 24, 2013.

2012 Zapotec Peoples. World News Network. Electronic Document. 2012 Zapotec. Encyclopedia Britannica. Electronic Document. Accessed March 24, 2013.  

Hawthorne, Norma
    2012 Chiapas Testile Company to Exhibit and Sell at Oaxaca Textile Museum.                 
        Oaxaca Culture Navigator, February 7.

 Lindsay, Robert
    2009 The Racial Makeup of Hispanics. Electronic Document. http://robertlindsay.wordpress.com/2009/02/28/the-racial-makeup-of-hispanics/ Accessed    
         April 8, 2013.

Mindling, Eric
    2006 Images From Out There. The Backcactus Word, Traditions Mexico, Fall 2006:Vol.1

Rama, Padmananda
    2012 In Mexico, Mixed Genders And “Muxes.” National Public Relations, June 5.

Stephen, Lynn
    2002 Sexualities and Genders in Zapotec Oaxaca. In Latin American Perspectives (Sage
        Publications, Inc.) 29 (2): 41–59.

 Posted By: Rachel DesRosier