Since Time Immemorial: Native Custom and Law in Colonial Mexico

Yanna Yannakakis' book "Since Time Immemorial" explores how Native custom, a legal category used in colonial Mexico, acquired local meaning and changed over time. She analyzes sources ranging from missionary and Inquisition records to Native pictorial histories, royal surveys, and Spanish and Native-language court and notarial documents, showing how imperial legal orders were built on the ground through translation and implementation of legal concepts and procedures.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 05 May 2023
Publisher: Duke University Press

Since the dawn of time, Yanna Yannakakis has embarked on a captivating journey to unravel the origins of Native custom, a legal category that played a pivotal role in disputes surrounding marriage, self-governance, land, and labor in colonial Mexico. Through meticulous research, she meticulously outlines how Native litigants, armed with this legal framework, infused the European concept of custom with local significance and witnessed its evolution over time. Yannakakis delves into a diverse array of sources, ranging from missionary and Inquisition records to Native pictorial histories, royal surveys, and Spanish and Native-language court and notarial documents. By expanding the scope of her analysis to include historically marginalized actors and highlighting spaces beyond the courts, such as Native communities, parishes, and missionary schools, she unveils how imperial legal orders were not merely imposed from above but also organically constructed through the translation and implementation of legal concepts and procedures.

In her profound exploration, Yannakakis argues that Indigenous claims to custom, while ostensibly aimed at preserving the past, held the potential to confront historical change and pave the way for the creation of new rights for the future. By embracing this legal category, Native litigants sought to assert their autonomy and assert their rights in a society that sought to undermine and marginalize them. Through their unwavering determination and innovative legal strategies, they forged a path toward greater recognition and equality, leaving an indelible mark on the legal landscape of colonial Mexico.

Yannakakis's work not only sheds light on the historical complexities of Native custom but also offers valuable insights into the broader themes of colonialism, legal systems, and the struggle for cultural and social recognition. Her meticulous research and thoughtful analysis provide a rich tapestry of knowledge that will captivate scholars and enthusiasts alike, contributing to our understanding of the past and shaping our vision for a more inclusive and equitable future.

Weight: 494g
Dimension: 152 x 230 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781478019626