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