Author(s): Elizabeth Parret
Mentor(s): Rebecca de Schweinitz
Institution BYU
Emerging from the waters of Lake Iguaque, the goddess Bachué cradles her child and, in doing so, gives birth to the entire Muisca people. In this foundational myth, women are not passive figures, but active life-bringers, creators of the world and society. This reverence for women as both spiritual and social leaders was woven into the fabric of Muisca civilization, where women held crucial roles in religion, politics, and the economy. Yet, despite their prominence in the mythology and structure of Muisca life, scholarly narratives have often minimized or overlooked the societal contributions of women. This study seeks to investigate how Muisca women, through clearly defined gender roles, found power and relevance across multiple spheres of their society. Scholarship of the Muisca people, particularly concerning gender, has evolved over the years. Early historians like William Prescott and Clements Markham focused on the exploits of Spanish conquistadors such as Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada, placing the Muisca in a passive role in their history and often characterized women as peripheral to the narrative. In contrast, mid-20th-century scholars like Martin Glassner and Mary Wilhelmine Williams noted the central role of women in Muisca society, not only as cultural symbols but as active participants in governance and trade. This study will build upon these foundational works and integrate primary sources such as writings from Juan de Castellanos, Juan Rodriguez Freyle, and Lucas Fernández de Piedrahita by examining the specific roles of women in Muisca society through four interconnected themes: religion, society, politics, and the economy. The first section will explore the role of goddesses in the Muisca religion, and women’s participation in religious practices. The second section will analyze the roles of women in family and community life, considering their responsibilities as caretakers, mothers, and social organizers. The next section will delve into the political landscape of the Muisca, examining legal frameworks that allowed women to hold property, and influence leadership. Finally, the economic contributions of women will be explored to reveal how they shaped the Muisca's economic success and resilience. Examining these various aspects of Muisca life, this study aims to offer a comprehensive view of how women not only offered support to the functioning of their society but also wielded power within it.