history 27 assignment 4
TRANSCRIPT
Human Tradition In Colonial Latin
AmericaBiographical Histories
Megan Beaver
History 27
Gaspar Antonio Chi Born in 1560 to Ah Kulel Chi a
Mayan priest of Chi chibal
descent. His Mother Ix Kukil Xiu
was of the Xui tribe. Chi was
from the Yucatan, schooled by
the Franciscan’s he witnessed
his fathers murder at the age of 6
years old. Chi felt he spent most
of his life living under the
servitude of the King and Chi
Had made many sacrifices for the
Crown. Chi who worked for the
Gaspar Antonio Chi (continued) Spanish for most of his life was able to give a personalized account how the
Spanish Conquest affected the Indian population in Latin America. Not only
was he a Mayan Nobleman but an interpreter this allowed him to be a part of
the Colonial Society. It is thought because Chi worked as an interpreter for
Francisco de Toral he became a source of information for de Landa’s Relación
de las cosas de Yucatán. The significance in this that Chi's information was
vital to the book that has been crucial in modern times to interpret not only the
Mayan language but about the Mayans in general especially their religion and
culture. Chi is also well known for contributing the Yucatan's legal system and
as a pillar of the colony and his services as a translator were invaluable. Chi
died in 1610 leaving his mark on the Spanish legal system and helped future
generations translate the Mayan language.
Zumbi of Palmares Zumbi was born in 1655 Palmares,
Brazil. He was captured and raised
a Catholic Priest who taught Zumbi to
speak Latin and Portuguese, he ran
away at 15 and returned to Palmares.
Palmares was self governed and
against Colonial rule, under Zumbi
Palmares fought against the
Portuguese and the Dutch. Palmares
was a community of escaped slaves,
that fought against any culture that
that threatened their way of life and
Zumbi of Palmares (continued)return them to slavery. Zumbi a successful military leader defeated a 1693
expedition led by Antonio Jacome Bezerra, a1776 he defeated an expedition
led by Mahor Manuel Lopes. Zumbi seized power from Ganga Zumba in 1677,
Portugal knew Zumbi was a force to be reckoned with and in 1685 the King
attempted to make peace, by 1690 the Portuguese were more organized and
an army led by Domingos Jorge Velho, attacked Palmares, yet Zumbi
defeated them. Zumbi was not so lucky in 1694 when he discovered an
expedition was approaching with weapons. Unable to stave off the attack after
putting up a long fight Palmares was seized however he escaped. Zumbi
was killed in combat in 1695 after spending a year hiding and raiding for
supplies. His body was mutilated publically and his head was put on a
pole. Despite his death Zumbi is hero to the descendants of those he freed. He
is still loved and celebrated in Brazil.
Felipe Guaman Poma de Ayala The year of his birth is unknown,
thought to be somewhere in the mid
1530's to the mid 1550's, his
birthplace is also unknown it is likely
he was born in and lived in
Huamanga in his youth. A native
Andean, who also spoke Spanish, he
was also a Christian. An artist he is
known for his book "The First New
Chronicle and Good Government"
that was published posthumously.
During the time he worked as an
Guaman Poma (continued)interpreter he represented his family and his own claims to land in the Valley
of the Chupas in court, which he lost, for which later he was sentenced for
misrepresenting himself through deceit and was lashed in public as a
result and expelled from Huamanga. Guaman Poma as a result became a
social activist teaching his people to read and write, advocating that the
Andeans should have rights. He documented pre-Columbian and conquest
in his book Nueva coronica y buen gobierno, and campaigned to the king to
end the disenfranchisement of Andean social stratification. Guaman Poma
became an adocate for the Indians who were treated unfairly. His book
Coronica is important because it gives the viewpoint of a Quechua rather than
from the Cusco point of view, giving valuable insight to scholars and the
artwork was exceptional.
Ursula de Jesús Born into slavery in 1604 in Lima
Ursula became a highly respected
Afro-Peruvian religious servant for
Women of color. Ursula was a devout
Catholic who was fascinated with the
Virgin of Carmen. At the age of eight
she was sent to live with a mystic at
The age of seventeen the spiritual
Knowledge she acquired helped her
gain her join the Convent of Santa
Clarita. As a Religious woman and a
mystic Ursula has many visions,
Ursula de Jesús (continued) however she did spend twenty years in bondage slaving away in convent. In
1642 Ursula almost fell into a well and claimed that the Virgin of Carmen
rescued her, she gained a reputation with the nuns as a “servant of God” and
reportedly she spoke with Jesus. However she had troubles with her owner
caused her to ask the covenant permission to seek a new owner and a nun
dona Rafaela de Esquivel bought and freed her, making It possible for her to
become a donada (nun) but she refused for many reasons mainly because
she felt displeased with the convent and the nuns, yet changed her mind in
1647 until 1666, when she died her reputation for being able to assist souls
trapped in Purgatory, being able to communicate with Jesus and her visions
made her a spiritual authority and she gave solace to many female slaves, and
left behind a diary that gave historians insight on life in Peru at this time .
Angela Batallas Little is known about her background,
Angela of Guayaquil Ecuador a slave
birth date is unknown. Purchased by
Ildefonso Coronel in 1821 a wealthy man
and a member of the patriot movement,
he enticed Angela into a sexual
relationship with the promise of freedom.
By 1822 Angela is pregnant, Coronel then
realizes his place in society would be
upset if he acknowledged the child
and tried to send Angela away. Angry
Angela later argues with Coronels
new wife when she threatened to sell her as a result she hit his wife. This is the catalyst that leads Angela to sue for her freedom, she uses her daughters baptism certificate to prove Coronel is the father of her child, which he denies.Frustrated by the legal process Angela demand to see Simon Bolivar known as the Liberator, who was the leader in the war against Spain. Angela demanded to see him and recounts her story in an attempt to gain his support if he sided with her publically this would help her cause significantly, which he did and gave Angela a note to present to the court and Angela won her case .Many slaves have sued their owners, however Angela did what many had not. Sought the assistance of someone in authority, who was powerful, influential. Though he had no power over her fate his opinion meant something and Angela knew this, and others caught on thus she changed the course of history for many of the enslaved.
Angela Batallas (continued)
Diego de Ocaña Born in in Ocana in 1570, he took his
vows in the Order of Saint Jerome in
1588. In 1599 Diego and another
Friar Martin de Posada headed to the
New World, because they were
Jeronymite Guardians of Guadalupe
known as demandadores it was their
duty to collect alms and spread their
faith. During his travels in the New
World, Deigo documents his journey
in detail, he thinks of himself as a
messenger, a man sent to convey
Diego de Ocaña (continued)authority but also as an untrained artist. Diego was an important artist who
painted many important religious images such as the Virgin of Guadalupe, yet
some thought it was improper to paint such images. He continues his travels
and by the time he reached Sana he was broke and starving, he was forced to
sell his paintings to survive. One painting of the Lady of Guadalupe was
thought to help heal the sick, which meant people wanted to buy the painting
including a rich priest, which posed a moral dilemma for Deigo who did not
want to break the rules of his order, finally gave in and sold the painting but
considered the silver he took as payment a donation to help him continue his
travels. Not only were Deigos written accounts of his travels useful
documentations for historians but his paintings became religious icons.
Ensuring Deigos fear of being forgotten would never happen.
Jose Antonio da SilvaJose Antonio was born in 1742 near
Lisbon and was Portuguese, he was
married and he and his wife had no
children together. Jose Antonio could
be considered a lothario as he had
many illegitimate children. Historical
records indicate by 1765 he was a
wealthy farmer it was more likely he
acquired wealth from a gold rush. He
was a Captain and an important
member of the militia, yet his stint in
jail in 1783 is mystery. Besides being
Jose Antonio da Silva (continued) powerful in his hometown of Santana but also in the community of Sao Paulo.
Jose Antonia acknowledged his illegitmate son with his mistress Ignacia
Franca thourough baptism records which was risky at that time, however the
end result was he could have a relationship with his child and not keep it a
secret. By 1778 his new mistress and children were living with Jose Antonio
and this was listed on the census, he also had two mulatto children with one
of his slaves. His mistresses seemed to gain a higher social position and some
gained their freedom. His wife, children, and mistresses all gained from his
death in1797 whether it be slaves, money, or property. What Jose Antonio’s
life proves is that it was entirely possible for two people of different races and
or social status’s to have a romantic relationship without facing consequences
from the church thus explaining how Brazil is racially diverse today.
Victorino Loza Victorino was born in the North
Andes around 1740 to community
plauged not only by diseases and
natural disasters but civil unrest.
Loza a citizen of Quito came from a
family of merchants and became a
merchant herself, she married twice,
and unfortunately was cheated of her
inheritance by her brother. Childless
she had an adopted son, she was
known as a shrewd businesswoman
suing anyone who did not pay her,
Victorino Loza (continued)one suit she waited sixteen years to collect on. Her second marriage was more
of a business arrangement, her new husband was to travel for business for her
so she could keep her good reputation. Loza began investing in landed estates
in 1776, by 1782 she owned three properties that were prosperous.
Concerned with her adopted sons future she set up a trust, sold her properties
and invested the profits. When she moved onto ownership of a plantation she
“bought” employees to make up for the shortage of available laborers.
Unfortunately her husband had an affair and her attempt to end it failed so she
reported the affair to the president of the Auidencia and sued him quietly, as a
consequence her husband was sent to jail but the affair continued. The pair
sued each other, and he lost. Loza died alone but rich and successful in 1805,
proving that a woman could be a successful and did not need a man to do so.
Pedro de Ayarza Pedro was a merchant from Panama
his date of birth is not mentioned.
Pedro wanted his sons to have an
education and a career, upon
learning his son Josef was denied
graduation because of his race was
pardos. Pedro then tried to have the
family legally declared white. This
process was lengthy and also
fractured his family. He would have to
engage in a legal process that could
change his racial status to white.
Pedro de Ayarza (continied)The crown issued a 1795 arancel the chance to purchase this status, as long
as they had ample documentation and recommendations. Pedro did this as
well as hiring an apoderado. His first petition sent in 1795 and also provided
information such as his military service, and friends testified on his behalf, a
few negative witnesses hampered this attempt only his eldest was whitened in
1797. His second attempt in 1799 lasted four years at this point Joesph was a
lawyer and Pedro wanted his two other sons to graduate, they were legally
whitened in 1803 but the decision was reversed. From 1804 to 1806 Pedro
sought to overturn the reversal which was denied. The final petition in 1807
pleading it was vital to his younger sons futures, the case was never ruled on.
Pedros legal battle showed that race was being looked at in a new light that
a persons worth mattered now, not just their skin color.
Dona Isabel Sisa Isabel Sisa was an Indian from
Charcas her birth date is unknown.
Castilian law dictated that community
properly in married couples, yet the
husband had the right to manage the
marital property. Isabel Sisa's
husband felt certain properties that
he inherited from family should be left
to who he deemed, she could not
dispute him. Isabel Sisa found a way
around that claiming the land as joint
property she willed it to her son. This
Dona Isabel Sisa (continued)led to a lengthy legal battle between the couple. Will's at this time also
documented private information, her first will revealed not only what she
owned but after adding a codicil she was afraid of her husband and he had not
spit the profits from the harvest and he has taken the money she earned on
her own. Her husbands will revealed their were no heirs from the marriage,
leaving the question who was Juan to the couple, a later will revealed don
Domingo had 2 illegitimate sons and Isabel Sisa brought no assets into the
marriage. After her husbands death she fought his will and the truth of how
he gained his assets came out, after revealing he was an Indian she gained
community property. Isabel Sisa's argument that being able to read and write
indicated power was also a persuasive argument, not only did she defy
stereotypes about Indians she also rebuked gender inequality.
Don Melchior Caruarayco (cont.) the values and traditions of his culture. Caruarayco felt that the Spanish did
not care nor understand traditions and practices and saw a decline in his tribe
after the Spanish invasion; the Spanish had imposed upon the natives and
forced them to supply labor. Christianity was also forced upon the natives and
as tribal life declined Christianity gained popularity. There was little
Caruarayco could do to oppose the Spanish so his position of challenged as
other members of the tribe declared their claim to the position. This was taking
place in other tribes as well. The natives being introduction to a new faith and
new culture was a threat to tribal life and it did indeed suffer and decline as a
result. Tribal practices waned, vales, changed, and traditions died. The
significance here is that the Spanish colonization not only changed the lives of
the indigenous people but dramatically altered their way of life and in some
cases obliterated cultures.
Caruarayco of Peru was an Indian
that lived in the Andes his date of
birth is unknown. Caruarayco was the
Kuraka of his tribe, besides leading
his tribe he was also responsible for
collecting taxes, and protecting his
people from the Spanish. He cared
so much for his people that when he
fell ill he provided for many of them in
his will during a health scare.
Caruarayco was concerned with
the fact the Spanish were changing