The Suppressed Histories Archives: Women in Global Perspective, compiled by Max Dashu, aims to uncover the realities of women's lives, internationally and across time, asking questions about patriarchy and slavery, conquest and aboriginality. About mother-right, goddess veneration, shamanic arts and philosophies of spirit -- and the historical chemistry of their repression. Even more important, their role in resisting oppression.
A global perspective on women’s history offers fresh and diverse conceptions of women's power, as well as of men and gender borders. It overturns stereotypes of race and class, and the structures of domination that hold them up. It digs under the usual story of lords and rulers, looking for hidden strands, and reweaves knowledge from the divided fields of history, archaeology, linguistics and folk tradition. So we cast a wide arc, looking for patterns and gaps and contradictions which, where vested power interests are at stake, are trigger points for controversy. Some of the flashpoints are neolithic female figurines; women's power; goddess reverence; gender-egalitarian mother-right cultures; patriarchy; witch-hunts; and the rise and fall of empires, with all their doctrines of supremacy and inferiority.
The female cultural record is far richer than textbooks or the media let us know. Let's get to the juicy stuff: the creative, inspired, valiant women; and cultures that honor their female achievers, wisewomen, artists, leaders...
Max Dashu's articles and presentations include:
Women's Power DVD: A panoramic view of female leadership, creativity, wisdom, and courage, around the world and for thousands of years.
Rebel Shamans: Indigenous Women Confront Empire
Matrix Cultures: In the Web of Life
Secret History of Witches
Shamanic Priestesses of East Africa: Nyabingi Priestesses
Articles, and much more!
Visit Max Dashu's website here: http://www.suppressedhistories.net/
