goddessesimpossible in another sense related to its three conditions of donor, gift,
and donee. These three conditions of the gift produce its destruction. In
other words, the reciprocity of the gift, its return or exchange, annuls the
gift. Derrida attempts to imagine the nature of the gift devoid of reciproc-
ity, return, exchange, or debt. For a gift to be truly what it is, or a pure
gift, there must be absolutely no returning of the gift and the donor must
not expect any restitution. Thus, if we push the gift to its limits, Derrida
argues that it will not appear as a gift to either the donor or donee. It is
important to grasp the gift as an event, which is prior to any relationship
of donor and donee that taints the gift of its purity. The event of the gift
adheres to principles of disorder and is thus devoid of rules or concepts.
Within the flux of time, the moment of giving and receiving are two
events that cannot exist simultaneously in time because they are sepa-
rated in the flow of time. To look for the gift, is to seek the impossible,
which is a form of madness.Further reading: Bataille (1991); Berking (1999); Derrida (1992); Godelier
(1999); Mauss (1990)
GODDESSES
A goddess is a powerful divine being, defined in large part by her sexual
identity along with her creative and destructive powers. Within the con-
text of polytheistic religions, the goddess is depicted with ordinary
human features. Among the Yoruba of Nigeria, Oshun is described as
river born; she is identified with cool waters that help to explain her viva-
cious character. Described as beautiful and sweet tempered, Oshun’s hips
sway like a slow rolling river, her sensuousness embodies the divine
spark in human sexual life. She reveals pleasure and loves rich gifts of
silk, perfume, sweet food, and jewelry. She is famous as a great coquette,
flirting with men and taking delight in their seduction. In the past, Oshun
is the wife of many gods but none of them could keep her for any length
of time. After being transported to Cuba, she becomes Puta Santa, or the
whore saint, who possesses the power to bestow children especially to
barren women.
Among Native American Indians, many goddesses are associated with
various aspects of nature. The Sioux Buffalo Calf Woman is an earth
goddess, a mistress of buffalo, and a cultural heroine for establishing
social institutions and introducing the sacred pipe that is used in the seven
rites of the tribe. Among the Iroquois, there are three goddesses, identified