Terms Flashcards
corregidor, alcalde mayor, teniente
They were judges for minor crimes and councilors, had local legislative and judicial duties. Rural government, need to appoint them came from the need for honorable jobs for those who couldn’t inherit encomiendas, etc. Talked about in Guillermo reading, 1577, Mexico.
obraje
workshops - they mostly produced cloth. Thomas Gage wrote about them. During colonial period. Only profitable in Quito - They are significant because they show a different way that indians were exploited, even after the end of encomiendas (?)
mamelucos
Talked about in Tomacauna/Domingos Fernandes Nobre reading.
1500s - Brazilian word for meztizo. These people existed in two worlds, moved between them, often as slave traders.
Sertao
The wilderness in 1590 Brazil, where Indians were holding strong. Seen as a land of lawlessness. The Sertão was the arid, dry region inland from the occupied, coastal areas of Brazil. Although it was not a true geographical frontier, it functioned as a metaphorical frontier because the Portuguese perceived it as dangerous and infinite. The Portuguese considered civilization to stop where the sertão began, and the inhabitants of the sertão were considered savages. Law did not apply to the sertão, so fugitives often took refuge there.
Entradas
Expeditions into the Sertao, in which Brazilians (often mamlucos) went in to barter with Indian lords for indian slaves, which were essential to supply the costal sugar plantations.
conversos
Found in Fernandes Nobre reading - but is about those targeted in Spanish inquisition. Occurred to some degree in 1590s Brazil.
Jews who had converted to Christianity and who married into old established Catholic families.
Familiares
Brazil, 1590s. Privileged group of literate individuals who served the inquisition - working in colonies to report back to Portugal.
Santidade sect
Brazil 1590s. The millenarian religion that promised a holy intervention would save all those faithful who had been oppressed. Thus it was very appealing to African slaves, mamelucos, and indians in Bahia, Brazil. Influenced by a mix of indigenous beliefs and jesuit teachings.Considered heretical by Portuguese, it is the sect that Fernandes Nobre was accused of joining.
quinto
The king’s cut from the mines, 1/5.
Veins of Postoi
The Rich Vein, that of the centeno, the vein of tin, that of mendieta. Postoi was in Peru, pride of the new world. Tons of silver, and over 1/3 was unregistered and not taxed. Postoi was most profitable between 1579-1635.
socavones
the tunnels in Postoi - represented a big investment, since they often took up to 29 years to build - and when one began funding that, they weren’t sure if the tunnels would strike silver or be successful. Measured in estados.
Areytos
Found in Las Casas reading, so early 1500s carribean. These are dances and songs of worship preformed by indigenous people.
Hatuey
High prince and lord mentioned in Las Casas reading, he had fled all over Cuba and Hispaniola to flee from the Christians. He was burned alive, but was an example of indigenous resistance.
majordomos
The majordomo was a steward/assistant to an encomendero. The majordomo administered the affairs, and large encomiendas had > 1 majordomo. It was common for a majordomo to receive anywhere from ⅙ to ¼ of the net gain from the encomienda and subsidiary ventures. Another large percentage received fixed salaries, commonly from 200-300 pesos per year. Majordomos were free to earn extra income outside of their duties. Some majordomos were considered full equals to their encomenderos in a business sense. Regardless of the influence of a majordomo, they could never hope to receive their own encomienda due to the subservient nature of their work.
Otomi
The fearless warriors of the Aztec, written about by Sabagun in first half of 1500s. Check this defintion.
Utizcalco
Need - in Sabagun Aztec reading.
Xicales
deep basin that women ceremoniously bring water to Montezuma from - found in Bernal Diaz del Castillo reading. Montezuma’s = great aztec war chief: his halls described as having elaborate ceremonies and barbaric splendor.
Calpulli or calpultin
Found in Gonzalo Fenandez Oviedo y Valdes reading.
Word describes the group, which was the basic social unit, and was organized territorially and by kinship. Offered its members collective security.
Mayeque
Aztec serfs, who were attached to the private estates of Aztec nobles, and had a shit life. Found in Gonzalo Fernandez Oviedo y Valdes reading.
Tiquitlato
Basically the person who makes sure tributes are paid to the Aztec lords, translated literally as the finder of tributes. In charge of 50 houses or so, inspects corn fields and harvests and brings necessary amount to the indian lord of that area. Beyond the harvest tribute, there are monthly (or other amount of time) tributes - if they cannot pay they become slaves.
Tianguez
This is where the tiquitlato takes those who are unable to pay the tribute, so it is essentially a market held every five days, and the mayeque is sold into slavery. Aztec. Gonzalo Fernandez Oviedo y Valdes
Orchilobos or ques
temples where Aztecs kept their idols, which are important because these temples got the best land. Found in Gonzalo Genandex Oviedo y Valdes reading.
Pope, teupisques, pioches, exputhles, piltoutles
The five classes of officials in Aztec temples (orchilobos or ques) - they had church land which they supported themselves from. Found in Gonzales Fernandes Oviedo y Valdes reading.
hunuinic
The space of 400 feet which a Mayan man and his wife must sow. Lands are common property, everyone helps everyone. Found in Bishop Diego de Landa.
caluc
The mayordomo or lord of the mayans, he ruled over a town, the people told him when they needed things, and he served as the intermediary government between townspeople and higher lord. He is charged with the kind treatment of the poor people, the peace of the town, and the support of their lords. Mayan society as highly stratified. Found in Bishop Landa.
Principales
Mayan society, those who served the lord ? lower government? Bishop Landa.
