The women of Juchitán uphold a form of primitive communism that is characteristic of the Zapotec people. Living practically outside of the capitalist system, men cannot enter the market in this society, only the muxes (cross dressed men) have access. Magnolia—who was photographed by Graciela Iturbide on numerous occasions—is one of them.

Not completely matriarchal, yet managed by women, in this community—as noted by professor David William Foster— “men who wear makeup in the style of a woman are aspiring to become assimilated with that which holds the most symbolic power”. They are certain to incorporate the symbols of the powerful Juchitecan woman into their bodies. Juchitán de las mujeres was published in 1989 and featured a text by Elena Poniatowska.