Amazon

Definition of Amazon

The Canada social science dictionary [1] provides the following meaning of Amazon: In Greek legend the amazon was a female hunter, unusual for occupying a male role. The Amazon river was named after this legendary hunter when early European explorers encountered women who were hunters and in many ways acted like men. Many cultures have acknowledged a masculine role for women. In Hinduism this role is an aspect of the female ‘hijras’. The Kaska Indians of the Subarctic may select a daughter when it appeared the family was going to have no sons and perform a transformation ceremony to symbolically turn the daughter into a son. The dried ovaries of a bear were tied to her belt which she always wore, she dressed like males and engaged in hunting. The counterpart of this role among men is called ‘berdache’. See: BERDACHE in this legal dictionary and in the world encyclopedia of law.

Amazon: Resources

Notes and References

• Drislane, R., & Parkinson, G. (2016). (Concept of) Amazon. Online dictionary of the social sciences. Open University of Canada