Abstract

Maize has been the staple food of Mesoamerican peoples for millennia. Mexico hosts 59 races and a large variety of dishes that include this grain. Historically, women have been responsible for the preparation of these dishes, with the tortilla as the basis for many of them. This paper analyzes the maize management practices conducted by the women who belong to the Union de Palmeadoras de Tlaxiaco, Oaxaca. Data were obtained in 2015 and 2016 through a methodological strategy that involved interviews, workshops, participant observation, field diaries and a census. The paper describes women’s maize supply networks; nixtamalization -related knowledge; and tortilla selling practices. Results show that palmeadoras activate the market of regional maize varieties, and that they have specialized knowledge on maize transformation into food. It is concluded that women’s skills and needs must be taken into account in public policy design in order to promote gender equality and food sovereignty in Mexico.

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