Haven’t you noticed how this statue commands attention? We stand before the Estatua de la Mujer de Atizapán. This impressive monument embodies a powerful narrative of indigenous representation. It replaced a statue of Christopher Columbus.
The story of the Estatua de la Mujer de Atizapán begins with a significant discovery. In January 2021, a remarkable sculpture was found in Veracruz. This statue was unearthed in a citrus grove in Hidalgo Amajac. Experts from the Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia confirmed its pre-Hispanic origins. It became known as “La joven de Amajac”. This translates to “The Young Woman of Amajac”.
The statue stands approximately two meters tall. It is the first of its kind found in the Tuxpan River basin. The statue is believed to represent a young woman of the elite. She might have been a ruler. Her posture and attire suggest high status. This contrasts with previous interpretations of similar sculptures. They were often linked to the goddess Tlazoltéotl.
The Estatua de la Mujer de Atizapán is crafted from limestone. It features a small face and open eyes. The statue also has an elaborate headdress. A necklace with a droplet-shaped adornment is visible. She wears a long-sleeved shirt and a floor-length skirt.
Given its location near Tochpan and Castillo de Teayo, the statue connects to Huastec sculptural traditions. Yet, it also displays influences from central Mexico. María Eugenia Maldonado Vite, an archaeologist, suggests the figure merges Teem goddesses. It also represents women of high social standing.
The decision to replace the Columbus statue with the Estatua de la Mujer de Atizapán was not without controversy. The Columbus statue was removed in 2020 under the guise of restoration. Later, the city announced it would be replaced. Tlalli, a sculpture by Pedro Reyes, was initially proposed. Feminists objected. They felt a non-indigenous male artist was unsuitable to honor indigenous women.
Feminists installed their own monument on the empty plinth in September 2021. This was a wooden anti-monument. It depicted a purple woman with a raised fist. It was called “Antimonumenta Vivas Nos Queremos” or “Justicia”. The roundabout was renamed “Glorieta de las mujeres que luchan”. This translates to “Roundabout of the Women Who Fight”.
The anti-monument was a protest against violence against women in Mexico. Feminists requested an artistic committee to choose a replacement. They insisted the roundabout be renamed. The installation honored women who fought for justice.
In February 2023, it was announced that both Justicia and The Young Woman of Amajac would coexist. The Columbus sculpture would be moved. Martí Batres, Sheinbaum’s successor, relocated The Young Woman of Amajac to an adjacent island.
The Estatua de la Mujer de Atizapán represents a shift in historical perspective. It acknowledges the active role of women in Huastec society. It promotes recognition of indigenous people. It challenges classism and racism.