Between the Silence of Voices: An Anthology of Contemporary Ecuadorian Women Poets.

• Author: Mujica, Barbara

Eds., Alicia Cabiedes-Fink and Ted Maier.

Quito: Asociacion Ecuatoriana de Ejecutivas de Empresas Turisticas, 1997 [bilingual].

Although contemporary Latin American fiction has had a profound influence on North American and European letters, and Latin American poetry has been translated into English by distinguished writers such as Robert Thy and W.S. Merwin, few anthologies exist of Hispanic women's poetry. Those that do often give short shrift to Ecuador, although there are some exceptions. Between the Silence of Voices represents not only an effort to give exposure to Ecuadoran women poets in their native land, where they are practically unrecognized, but also to bring them to the attention of English-speaking audiences.

In Ecuador, as elsewhere in Latin America, women poets are something of an anomaly. Maternity and religion are considered acceptable topics for the few women who do write poetry. However, as Ted Maier points out in his introduction, the poets included in this anthology embrace a wide range of subjects. They reflect the tremendous cultural, racial, and ethnic diversity of their native land. They come from all social strata, age groups, and geographical regions, and they "speak to a high degree of marginalization and disenfranchisement, not only as writers in a patriarchal society but as women of color, as women of social consciousness, as women of active political concerns, and as women of Ecuador."

Luz Argentina Chiriboga, one of the most vibrant poets included here, was born and raised in the coastal city of Esmeraldas, an important Afro-Hispanic center. Much of Chiriboga's poetry manifests elements of her African heritage. In "Herencia/ Inheritance" she evokes throbbing rhythms and exuberant images.

Pregon de tambores

Drum's proclamation

desdoblan historias,

Tells histories,

cuentos y leyendas.

Tales and legends.

Tambores ululantes

Undulating drums

encienden la palabra

Set fire to the word

entre...