Synopsis:

This anthropological perspective sets the post-classic scene in the central valleys of Oaxaca (Etla, Tlacolula and Ocotlán / Valle Grande) on the eve of the Spanish conquest. Then, the changing scene due to the changes brought by the Spanish conquest in demography, social and economic impacts. But not the least are the ancient continuities, and on-going resistance by the original peoples of the valleys. The presentation finally considers how the memories of these events and changes resonate in what we see in the valleys today. 

Presenter:

Martha Rees, An anthropologist with 50 years of experience in Mexico, mostly in Oaxaca, I specialize in women’s work, peasant household economy, migration and health, and do evaluation research (MacArthur Foundation, NIOSH-CDC). I have worked in both Mexican and US institutions: Instituto Nacional Indigenista, Centro de Ecodesarrollo, University of Cincinnati, and Agnes Scott College, as well as held Fulbright scholarships and worked as an expert witness. Currently I am the President of the Welte Institute for Oaxacan Studies, Inc. [https://institutowelte.wordpress.com/], our local library of Oaxacan materials.