“Held Embrujadas”: Mesoamerican Corn Consciousness and the Redemption of the Feral Feminine

Abstract

Cultivation and worship of maize as plant and symbol is one of the most consistent cornerstones of Pre-Columbian Mesoamerican cultures. This dissertation works across genres and eras to track the social and philosophical implications of this sacred plant, asking what the narratives and rituals around corn can teach us about the evolution of Mesoamerican culture broadly. The first chapters of this dissertation propose that maize represents a unique socio-philosophical principle that underlies the entire cultural development of Mesoamerica. Later chapters consider how this principle of ever-evolving, dual-interplay is represented in the twin/brother mythologies that are ubiquitous throughout the region.

While this work leans on philosophy, anthropology, and biology to develop its foundations, the goal is to listen more closely to an indigenous perspective. Pursuing a grasp on corn narrative that is less influenced by a Western academic framework, this work gives authority to the voices of artists including Octavio Paz, Gloria Anzaldúa, and Frida Kahlo, proposing that the artistic approach highlights the critical role of chaos and destruction in the Pre-Columbian mindset. Using a poet’s perspective to grapple with indigenous philosophy offers insights about the dualistic nature of corn as an expression of the inherent wrestling of two sets of principles responsible for the creation and destruction of the great Mesoamerican empires. The final chapters of this work consider this as a cycle of “waste lands” and “borderlands” states and suggest how this cycle is present in modern day America.

The implicit hope of this dissertation is to contribute to an indigenous, decolonizing narrative that illuminates the value and deep and continual wisdom inherent in the Pre-Columbian worldview. The intention of this work is to use narrative to illuminate corn as a symbol that offers unique and timely reflections to the enduring question of how to unite and emerge from a divided and dividing world, giving insight on how to ultimately reconcile the inextricable relationship of life, loss, and love.