Spears and letters: indigenous writing and conflict in the Paraguayan reductions in the 18th century
Abstract
In the history of the Guarani reductions in the Jesuit Province of Paraguay indigenous writing reached surprisingly high levels at different moments during the 18th century. One of them occurred during the demarcation of borders in South America that resulted from the Madrid Treaty (1750). The mission Indians’ reaction against the treaty through the use of writing and weapons unleashed an unprecedented conflict in that area. This was a colonial rebellion also known as the “Guarani War.” The texts written by the Indians during that conflict in the reductions reveal a somewhat unknown aspect of their action. Besides fighting with their spears, they also used writing as a weapon which became an instrument to protest against the contradictions of Iberian colonialism and to denounce it.
Key words: indigenous writing, Guarani missions, Guarani War.Downloads
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