Indigenous and Black Confraternities in Colonial Latin America: Negotiating Status through Religious Practices

This book explores indigenous and black confraternities in colonial Spanish America and Brazil, analyzing how they negotiated and resisted colonialism through cultural and religious practices. It highlights the intersections between ethnic identity and ritual devotion and how these confraternities subverted colonial discourse.

Format: Hardback
Length: 408 pages
Publication date: 20 February 2022
Publisher: Amsterdam University Press

This comprehensive volume delves into the fascinating world of indigenous and black confraternities, also known as lay Catholic brotherhoods, that emerged in colonial Spanish America and Brazil during the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries. By adopting a transregional and interdisciplinary approach, the book offers a rich exploration of these religious confraternities founded by subaltern subjects, both in rural and urban spaces of colonial Latin America. Through a diverse array of case studies, it seeks to understand the intricate dynamics and relationships between the peripheral and central areas of colonial society, shedding light on the ways in which colonialized individuals navigated the colonial domain with unique forms of social organization and cultural and religious practices.

The book employs a multi-faceted analysis to examine indigenous and black confraternal cultural practices as dynamic forms of negotiation and resistance intricately shaped by local devotional identities that transcended imperial religious and racial hierarchies. By delving into the intersections between ethnic identity and ritual devotion, the analysis uncovers the ways in which these confraternities challenged and subverted colonial discourse.

The establishment of black and indigenous religious confraternities played a significant role in shaping the cultural landscape of colonial Latin America. These organizations not only provided a sense of community and support for marginalized groups but also served as platforms for the expression and preservation of their unique cultural traditions. Through their rituals, songs, and prayers, confraternities celebrated their heritage and resisted the erasure of their identities by the colonial powers.

Moreover, the confraternities played a crucial role in the social and political landscape of colonial society. They often acted as intermediaries between the colonial authorities and the local communities, advocating for the rights and interests of their members and collaborating with other marginalized groups in the struggle for justice and equality.

In conclusion, this volume provides a valuable contribution to the study of colonial Latin America, shedding light on the complex and multifaceted world of indigenous and black confraternities. Through its transregional and interdisciplinary approach, it offers a rich understanding of the ways in which these organizations negotiated the challenges of colonialism, shaped local cultures, and contributed to the broader social and political landscape of the region.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789463721547