We are used to living in the world of information. However, there are so many undisclosed pages in history and unpretentious paths on the planet! Researchers, filmmakers, and exotic lovers are trying to unravel the mystery of the Amazons - brave freedom-loving women living without men.
Who are the Amazons?
Homer first mentioned attractive but dangerous warriors in the eighteenth century BC. Then their life is described by the ancient Greek historian Herodotus and the playwright Aeschylus, and after them the Roman chroniclers. According to myths, the Amazons formed states that consist only of women. Presumably, these were territories from the shores of the Black Sea to the Caucasus and further into the depths of Asia. From time to time they selected men from other nations to continue the clan. The fate of the child born depended on gender - if it was a girl, she was raised in a tribe, the boy was sent to his father or killed.
Since then, the legendary Amazon is a woman who masterfully owns weapons and is an excellent rider who is not inferior to men in battle. Her patroness, Artemis, is a virgin, forever young goddess of hunting, capable of punishing in anger an arrow fired from a bow.
Etymology
There is still debate among researchers about the origin of the word "Amazon." Presumably, it was formed from the Iranian word ha-mazan - "woman warrior." Another option is from the word a masso - “inviolable” (for men).
The most common Greek etymology of the word. It is interpreted as "breastless", and according to legend, warriors cauterized or cut off their mammary glands for the convenience of using onions. This version, however, does not find confirmation in the artistic images.
Archaeologists in search of the Amazons
Archaeological excavations and burial sites found do not directly prove the existence of the Amazons. Some burials of women with weapons found in Ukraine may indicate their noble origin. To date, the 2000-year-old mounds located on the border between Russia and Kazakhstan are evidence. Archaeologists have found more than 150 graves of descendants of the Sarmatians, among whom were female warriors buried with weapons.
Skeptical scholars suggest that Amazons are a mythological image opposed to the growing role of men in ancient Greek society. He is trying to revive the memory of matriarchy and give value to the feminine nature. At that time, same-sex relationships between men were preferred. It was considered cleaner and indicated a special spiritual relationship between teacher and student. As an archetype, the Amazon is a woman equal to a man, and therefore worthy of respect and admiration.
The first mention of the Amazons of South America
Many centuries passed before this name became popular again. This time on the other side of the earth. The baptism of South American women in the Amazon happened with the light hand of the Spanish conquistadors.
In July 1539, royal officials who took part in the campaign of Gonzalo Jimenez de Quesada on the territory of Colombia, prepared a report describing the conquest of new colonies. It refers to the people of Indian women living without men. The Spaniards themselves did not see him, but wrote down data about him from the words of people who were slaves there to conceive children. Amazonian women formed a highly developed civilization led by Queen Harativa.
According to other sources, the Amazons became known thanks to the conquistador Francisco Aurelliani. His brigantine entered the waters of a full-flowing rapid river on February 12, 1542 (now there is a town near this place, named after the brave captain). After some time, hungry Europeans, many days on the road, were welcomed by the Indians in their settlements. It was they who said that the tribe of "great seniors" lives down the river, in the local dialect "cognapuyara", which the Spaniards nicknamed the Amazons.
Legends or stories
However, in these stories there is no direct indication of a meeting with fearless women. The following legend fills the gap. During the conquest of new lands by the Spanish crown, the conquerors led by Orellani faced fierce resistance from the local Indians. Among them, women of the Amazon tribes stood out with their courage. The conquistadors who entered into battle and were forced to retreat called them in memory of the girls from ancient Greek mythology. And the river, on the banks of which they fought, was called Rio de las Amazonas.
Modern researchers believe that there were no warriors. Amazonian women are Indians whose long hair misled the Spanish invaders. More romantically inclined people believe that they were lovers fighting alongside their men and ready to sacrifice their lives for them.
One way or another, wild girls, Amazons, continue to excite the imagination. This is indicated by the plots of adventure films and best-selling books, which retell the beliefs of the times of the Great geographical discoveries. In them, the Amazonian jungle is fraught with countless treasures, guarded by beautiful women warriors who are cruel and merciless to strangers. Many gold hunters perished in search of an easy way to enrich themselves. But from time to time there are brave men, ready to try their luck.
Amazon rainforest tribes
More than five hundred years have passed. And the Amazonian jungle still hides many unknown tribes. The Brazilian organization FUNAI has registered seventy-seven primitive settlements. Their lifestyle does not differ from that which their ancestors led many centuries ago: they fish, go hunting, pick fruit. These Amazon people have never been in contact with modern civilization. Moreover, any meeting can be fatal for them, since they do not have immunity from most diseases. Therefore, the natives are taken under state protection.
Among them, there are those that maintain a matriarchal order. But no one here fights or dominates.
Kun tribe
The most famous and accessible settlement for tourists is the Kuna tribe. It is located on the islands of San Blas. Wild girls, Amazons, are engaged in housework and make clothes incredible in beauty and subtlety - moles.
What is matriarchy manifested in? Here, not the groom chooses the bride, but the girl proposes to the young man. However, he has no right to refuse her. After that, the man moves to his wife’s house and works for several years under the supervision of his father-in-law. Marriages are possible only among fellow tribesmen. The birth of girls is considered preferable, since subsequently they bring additional labor to the house. The rest are families of an original culture with a typical distribution of responsibilities.
