Historical Perspectives on Female Participation in Hunting and War
Abstract
This study examines three societies, ranging from antiquity to the twentieth century, in which women functioned as warriors. The first case study focuses on Scythian culture which inspired Greek myths about legendary Amazons. The second review is of Native American women from Apache and Cherokee tribes. Much like the first example, specific elements of their environments allowed and at times required participation in warfighting as well as hunting. The third case study is of the late twentieth century Central American guerrilla movements in Nicaragua and El Salvador where records indicate that as many as 30-40 percent of guerrilla forces were female. In an effort to identify common cultural characteristics amongst these diverse examples, all three societies were evaluated using a consistent analytical framework. Distilling the environmental, political, economic, and social factors present in these cultures, illuminates certain conditions precedent to women engaging in hunting and warfighting. These instances demonstrate women have been riding, raiding, and fighting alongside men throughout recorded human history. Gender integration in combat may seem innovative for the U.S. military, but is hardly new or unique in a historical context. This understanding provides valuable perspective as women are integrated into the combat elements of the U.S. military.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 10, 2016
- Accession Number
- AD1020345
Entities
People
- Margaret A Piet
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College