num_pages: 533
description: 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.
language: English
title: Matriarchal Societies: Studies on Indigenous Cultures Across the Globe
publisher: Peter Lang Inc., International Academic Publishers