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| [[File:lighterstill.jpg]][[File:Winged-goddess.jpg|right|frame]] | | [[File:lighterstill.jpg]][[File:Winged-goddess.jpg|right|frame]] |
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− | *Date: [http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/19th_Century 1885] | + | *Date: [https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/19th_Century 1885] |
| ==Definitions== | | ==Definitions== |
| *1 : a [[family]], [[group]], or [[state]] governed by a ''matriarch'' | | *1 : a [[family]], [[group]], or [[state]] governed by a ''matriarch'' |
| *2 : a [[system]] of [[social]] [[organization]] in which descent and inheritance are traced through the [[female]] line | | *2 : a [[system]] of [[social]] [[organization]] in which descent and inheritance are traced through the [[female]] line |
| ==Terminology== | | ==Terminology== |
− | The [[word]] ''matriarchy'' is coined as the [[opposite]] of [[patriarchy]], from Greek matēr "mother" and archein "to rule". According to the [[OED]], the term "matriarchy" is first attested in 1885, building on an earlier matriarch, formed in [[analogy]] to patriarch already in the early 17th century. By [[contrast]], gynæcocracy "rule of women" has been in use since the 17th century, building on an actual [[Greek]] γυναικοκρατία found in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aristotle Aristotle] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plutarch Plutarch]. | + | The [[word]] ''matriarchy'' is coined as the [[opposite]] of [[patriarchy]], from Greek matēr "mother" and archein "to rule". According to the [[OED]], the term "matriarchy" is first attested in 1885, building on an earlier matriarch, formed in [[analogy]] to patriarch already in the early 17th century. By [[contrast]], gynæcocracy "rule of women" has been in use since the 17th century, building on an actual [[Greek]] γυναικοκρατία found in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aristotle Aristotle] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plutarch Plutarch]. |
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| The near-synonyms matrifocal and matricentric "having a mother as head of the [[family]] or household" are of more recent coinage, first used in the mid 20th century. Matriarchy can be [[understood]] as the public formation, in which [[woman]] occupies ruling position in a [[family]] (a primary [[cell]] of [[society]]). Some [[authors]] depart from the premise of a mother-child dyad as the core of [[human]] [[group]] where the grandmother was the central ancestress with her [[children]] and grandchildren clustered around her in an extended family. | | The near-synonyms matrifocal and matricentric "having a mother as head of the [[family]] or household" are of more recent coinage, first used in the mid 20th century. Matriarchy can be [[understood]] as the public formation, in which [[woman]] occupies ruling position in a [[family]] (a primary [[cell]] of [[society]]). Some [[authors]] depart from the premise of a mother-child dyad as the core of [[human]] [[group]] where the grandmother was the central ancestress with her [[children]] and grandchildren clustered around her in an extended family. |
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| Other 20th century formations are gynocentric, gynocentrism (simplified by using the reduced prefix gyno- for gynæco-) is the "dominant or exclusive focus on women", as opposed to androcentrism. | | Other 20th century formations are gynocentric, gynocentrism (simplified by using the reduced prefix gyno- for gynæco-) is the "dominant or exclusive focus on women", as opposed to androcentrism. |
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− | A recent school of "[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matriarchal_Studies Matriarchal Studies]" led by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heide_G%C3%B6ttner-Abendroth Heide Göttner-Abendroth] is calling for a more inclusive redefinition of the term: Göttner-Abendroth defines "Modern Matriarchal Studies" as the "[[investigation]] and presentation of non-patriarchal societies", effectively defining "matriarchy" as "non-patriarchy". Similarly, Peggy Reeves Sanday (2004) favors redefining and reintroducing the word matriarchy, especially in [[reference]] to contemporary matrilineal societies such as the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minangkabau Minangkabau]. | + | A recent school of "[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matriarchal_Studies Matriarchal Studies]" led by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heide_G%C3%B6ttner-Abendroth Heide Göttner-Abendroth] is calling for a more inclusive redefinition of the term: Göttner-Abendroth defines "Modern Matriarchal Studies" as the "[[investigation]] and presentation of non-patriarchal societies", effectively defining "matriarchy" as "non-patriarchy". Similarly, Peggy Reeves Sanday (2004) favors redefining and reintroducing the word matriarchy, especially in [[reference]] to contemporary matrilineal societies such as the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minangkabau Minangkabau]. |
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− | According to her, the Island of Sumatra (Indonesia) and in Mosuo, the province of Sichuan (China), live within a matriarchal society. The prefix ama is used for [[Greek]] [[female]] [[warriors]], the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazons amazons], in Africa and among the mosuo society, having the same [[meaning]]: In the [[language]] of the Moso the word Ama has the meaning Mother. This is a striking [[analogy]] to the name of the warlike [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazons Amazons]. Well-fitting to this the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berbers Berbers] in North Africa, which had been matriarchal in the past, call themselves Amazigh in their own [[language]]. Because of this we [[reason]] that the very ancient word Ama has the meaning »Mother« in its narrow sense. In the figurative sense it stands for »Matriarchal Culture. | + | According to her, the Island of Sumatra (Indonesia) and in Mosuo, the province of Sichuan (China), live within a matriarchal society. The prefix ama is used for [[Greek]] [[female]] [[warriors]], the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazons amazons], in Africa and among the mosuo society, having the same [[meaning]]: In the [[language]] of the Moso the word Ama has the meaning Mother. This is a striking [[analogy]] to the name of the warlike [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazons Amazons]. Well-fitting to this the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berbers Berbers] in North Africa, which had been matriarchal in the past, call themselves Amazigh in their own [[language]]. Because of this we [[reason]] that the very ancient word Ama has the meaning »Mother« in its narrow sense. In the figurative sense it stands for »Matriarchal Culture. |
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− | The prefix is also linked to the Babylonian [[mythology]] and its supreme goddess [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiamat Tiamat]: some sources identify her with images of a sea serpent or [[dragon]]. In the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/En%C3%BBma_Elish Enûma Elish], the Babylonian epic of [[creation]], she gives [[birth]] to the first [[generation]]. The [[heavens]] and the [[earth]] are formed from her divided [[body]]. Thorkild Jacobsen and Walter Burkert both [[argue]] for a [[connection]] with the Akkadian word for sea, tâmtu, following an early form, ti'amtum. Tiamat could also have been derived from the Sumerian ti, life, and ama, [[mother]].; the many synonymous and [[translations]] of the word mother also point to ama: Maa, Amma, Mata is used in India and sometimes in neighboring countries, originating from the [[Sanskrit]] matrika and mata; Ma, Mam or Mammy is used in Ireland and Northern areas of the UK; it is also used in some areas of the US. | + | The prefix is also linked to the Babylonian [[mythology]] and its supreme goddess [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiamat Tiamat]: some sources identify her with images of a sea serpent or [[dragon]]. In the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/En%C3%BBma_Elish Enûma Elish], the Babylonian epic of [[creation]], she gives [[birth]] to the first [[generation]]. The [[heavens]] and the [[earth]] are formed from her divided [[body]]. Thorkild Jacobsen and Walter Burkert both [[argue]] for a [[connection]] with the Akkadian word for sea, tâmtu, following an early form, ti'amtum. Tiamat could also have been derived from the Sumerian ti, life, and ama, [[mother]].; the many synonymous and [[translations]] of the word mother also point to ama: Maa, Amma, Mata is used in India and sometimes in neighboring countries, originating from the [[Sanskrit]] matrika and mata; Ma, Mam or Mammy is used in Ireland and Northern areas of the UK; it is also used in some areas of the US. |
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− | According to Britannicca Encyclopedia, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiamat Tiamat] (the [[personification]] of the salt waters), is a major mythological figure described in the Babylonian mythological text Enuma elish, the [[sacred]] [[scriptures]] of this [[civilization]], and she is one of the most popular [[influences]] of the [[pagan]] [[culture]] on the [[Bible]]. Some have suggested that she [[inspired]] the biblical serpent and its symbolism from Pre History to all ancient civilizations. | + | According to Britannicca Encyclopedia, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiamat Tiamat] (the [[personification]] of the salt waters), is a major mythological figure described in the Babylonian mythological text Enuma elish, the [[sacred]] [[scriptures]] of this [[civilization]], and she is one of the most popular [[influences]] of the [[pagan]] [[culture]] on the [[Bible]]. Some have suggested that she [[inspired]] the biblical serpent and its symbolism from Pre History to all ancient civilizations. |
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− | Within Babylonian mythology, scholars, including [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Graves Robert Graves], considered Tiamat´s [[death]] by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marduk Marduk] an outstanding example of how occurred the shift in [[power]] from matriarchy to [[patriarchy]]. The [[Greek]] [[mythology]] also presents Apollo's killing of the female monster Python as a [[necessary]] [[action]] to take over the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delphic_Oracle Delphic Oracle]. In both mythologies, Tiamat and Python, have their body divided into two halves. | + | Within Babylonian mythology, scholars, including [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Graves Robert Graves], considered Tiamat´s [[death]] by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marduk Marduk] an outstanding example of how occurred the shift in [[power]] from matriarchy to [[patriarchy]]. The [[Greek]] [[mythology]] also presents Apollo's killing of the female monster Python as a [[necessary]] [[action]] to take over the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delphic_Oracle Delphic Oracle]. In both mythologies, Tiamat and Python, have their body divided into two halves. |
| ==Description== | | ==Description== |
| '''Matriarchy''' (from the [[Greek]] μητριαρχία) or gynecocracy (from the Greek γυναικοκρατία) refers to a gynecocentric [[form]] of [[society]], in which the leading role is taken by the [[women]] and especially by the [[mothers]] of a [[community]]. | | '''Matriarchy''' (from the [[Greek]] μητριαρχία) or gynecocracy (from the Greek γυναικοκρατία) refers to a gynecocentric [[form]] of [[society]], in which the leading role is taken by the [[women]] and especially by the [[mothers]] of a [[community]]. |
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− | There are no known [[societies]] that are unambiguously matriarchal, although there are a [[number]] of attested [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matrilinear matrilinear] , matrilocal and avunculocal societies, especially among [[indigenous]] peoples of Asia and Africa, such as those of the Minangkabau, Mosuo, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berber_people Berbers] or Tuareg, and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basques Basques] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sardinian_people Sardinian] people in Europe. Strongly matrilocal societies sometimes are referred to as matrifocal, and there is some [[debate]] concerning the terminological delineation between matrifocality and matriarchy. Note that even in [[patriarchical]] systems of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Male-preference_primogeniture male-preference primogeniture] there may occasionally be [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_regnant queens regnant], as in the case of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_I_of_England Elizabeth I of England] or [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria_of_the_United_Kingdom Victoria of the United Kingdom]. | + | There are no known [[societies]] that are unambiguously matriarchal, although there are a [[number]] of attested [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matrilinear matrilinear] , matrilocal and avunculocal societies, especially among [[indigenous]] peoples of Asia and Africa, such as those of the Minangkabau, Mosuo, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berber_people Berbers] or Tuareg, and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basques Basques] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sardinian_people Sardinian] people in Europe. Strongly matrilocal societies sometimes are referred to as matrifocal, and there is some [[debate]] concerning the terminological delineation between matrifocality and matriarchy. Note that even in [[patriarchical]] systems of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Male-preference_primogeniture male-preference primogeniture] there may occasionally be [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_regnant queens regnant], as in the case of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_I_of_England Elizabeth I of England] or [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria_of_the_United_Kingdom Victoria of the United Kingdom]. |
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− | According to ''The Cambridge Ancient History'': "the predominance of a supreme [[goddess]] is probably a reflexion from the [[practice]] of matriarchy which at all times charactherized [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elam Elamite] civilization to a greater or lesser [[degree]]". Elam is the first high-[[culture]] of Iran and, along with the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumerians Sumerians], is considered one of the most [[developed]] [[societies]] of the ancient history. | + | According to ''The Cambridge Ancient History'': "the predominance of a supreme [[goddess]] is probably a reflexion from the [[practice]] of matriarchy which at all times charactherized [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elam Elamite] civilization to a greater or lesser [[degree]]". Elam is the first high-[[culture]] of Iran and, along with the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumerians Sumerians], is considered one of the most [[developed]] [[societies]] of the ancient history. |
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− | In 19th century western [[scholarship]], the [[hypothesis]] of matriarchy [[representing]] an early [[stage]] of [[human]] [[development]] — now mostly lost in prehistory, with the exception of some "[[primitive]]" societies — enjoyed popularity. The hypothesis [[survived]] into the 20th century and was notably advanced in the [[context]] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feminism feminism] and especially [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_wave_feminism second wave feminism], but this hypothesis of matriarchy as "merely" an early stage of [[human]] [[development]] is mostly discredited today. However, [[scholars]] and [[archeologists]] such as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marija_Gimbutas Marija Gimbutas] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riane_Eisler Riane Eisler] describe their notion of a "woman-centered" [[society]] [[surrounding]] goddess [[worship]] throughout Pre History ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paleolithic Paleolithic] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neolithic_Europe Neolithic] Europe) and [[ancient]] civilizations, by using the term matristic "[[exhibiting]] [[influence]] or [[domination]] by the [[mother]] figure". The notion of such a "woman-centered" society is also [[confirmed]] by major archeologists [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._J._Bachofen J. J. Bachofen], whose three-volume ''Myth, Religion and Mother Right'' (1861), impacted the way classicists such as Jane Harrison, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sir_Arthur_Evans Sir Arthur Evans], looked at the [[evidence]] of pre-Hellenic societies, Walter Burkert and James Mellaart: "The goddesses of [[Greek]] [[polytheism]], so different and complementary," Walter Burkert has observed, in Homo Necans (1972) 1983:79f, "are nonetheless, consistently similar at an earlier [[stage]], with one or the other simply becoming [[dominant]] in a [[sanctuary]] or [[city]]. Each is the Great Goddess presiding over a [[male]] [[society]]; each is depicted in her attire as Mistress of the Beasts, and Mistress of the [[Sacrifice]], even [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hera Hera] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demeter Demeter]".[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matriarchy Source} | + | In 19th century western [[scholarship]], the [[hypothesis]] of matriarchy [[representing]] an early [[stage]] of [[human]] [[development]] — now mostly lost in prehistory, with the exception of some "[[primitive]]" societies — enjoyed popularity. The hypothesis [[survived]] into the 20th century and was notably advanced in the [[context]] of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feminism feminism] and especially [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_wave_feminism second wave feminism], but this hypothesis of matriarchy as "merely" an early stage of [[human]] [[development]] is mostly discredited today. However, [[scholars]] and [[archeologists]] such as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marija_Gimbutas Marija Gimbutas] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riane_Eisler Riane Eisler] describe their notion of a "woman-centered" [[society]] [[surrounding]] goddess [[worship]] throughout Pre History ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paleolithic Paleolithic] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neolithic_Europe Neolithic] Europe) and [[ancient]] civilizations, by using the term matristic "[[exhibiting]] [[influence]] or [[domination]] by the [[mother]] figure". The notion of such a "woman-centered" society is also [[confirmed]] by major archeologists [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._J._Bachofen J. J. Bachofen], whose three-volume ''Myth, Religion and Mother Right'' (1861), impacted the way classicists such as Jane Harrison, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sir_Arthur_Evans Sir Arthur Evans], looked at the [[evidence]] of pre-Hellenic societies, Walter Burkert and James Mellaart: "The goddesses of [[Greek]] [[polytheism]], so different and complementary," Walter Burkert has observed, in Homo Necans (1972) 1983:79f, "are nonetheless, consistently similar at an earlier [[stage]], with one or the other simply becoming [[dominant]] in a [[sanctuary]] or [[city]]. Each is the Great Goddess presiding over a [[male]] [[society]]; each is depicted in her attire as Mistress of the Beasts, and Mistress of the [[Sacrifice]], even [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hera Hera] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demeter Demeter]".[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matriarchy Source} |
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| [[Category: Sociology]] | | [[Category: Sociology]] |