Indian Women of Early Mexico – Susan Kellogg – 1995
Indian Women of Early Mexico
Susan Kellogg’s Indian Women of Early Mexico examines the lives of Nahua women in the decades following the Spanish conquest. The work moves beyond a simplistic narrative of colonial oppression to reveal a complex picture of adaptation, resistance, and continuity in the face of profound cultural upheaval. Kellogg focuses on a specific region – the modern-day state of Puebla – and utilizes a rich array of archival sources, including legal documents, church records, and indigenous-language texts, to reconstruct the experiences of women from different social strata.
Historical / Cultural Context
Published in 1995, Kellogg’s book was a significant contribution to the growing field of gender studies in colonial Latin America. Prior scholarship often focused on the experiences of Spanish women or on elite indigenous men. Kellogg’s work explicitly centered Nahua women, giving voice to a previously marginalized group. The book addresses a crucial period of transition in Mexican history, the early colonial era (roughly 1550-1650), when Spanish institutions were being imposed upon existing indigenous societies. It challenges the notion of a complete cultural break, highlighting how Nahua women navigated and reshaped colonial structures while simultaneously maintaining elements of their traditional roles and beliefs. The study’s emphasis on legal documents offers insights into how colonial power was exerted and how women attempted to assert their rights within that system. This involved legal battles over inheritance, property, and marriage, revealing their agency within a constrained context.
Who This Book Is For
This book is primarily aimed at readers with an academic or serious interest in colonial Latin American history, gender studies, and indigenous studies. However, Kellogg’s clear writing style and compelling narratives make it accessible to a broader audience interested in understanding the complexities of cultural contact and the lives of women in early colonial societies. Readers interested in the intersection of law, religion, and gender will also find this work valuable.
Further Reading
- The Broken Spears: Aztec Account of the Conquest of Mexico by Miguel León-Portilla: Provides indigenous perspectives on the Spanish conquest.
- Women of the Conquest by Rolena Adorno: Explores the lives and roles of Spanish women in the colonial period.
- Inventing Gender: Gender, Power, and the Construction of Gender Identity in Colonial Latin America edited by Vera Candian: A collection of essays exploring various aspects of gender in the colonial context.
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