Social interactions and dynamics of daily life in the Gran Nayar: A look at the end of the 18th century through Captain Calleja’s report

Abstract

This article studies various aspects of daily life in the province of Gran Nayar at the end of the eighteenth century, focusing on the social interactions between the Cora Indians and the colonial authorities, particularly the missionaries and the military. The proposal that is developed adopts a sociocultural perspective to analyze local transformations through cultural manifestations and social relations. The methodology used is based on historical synthesis, which allowed the reconstruction of a general panorama from the analysis of the information provided by the primary sources reviewed. The results of the research show that relations between the indigenous people and the colonial authorities were marked by the abuse of power, which generated suffering, hunger and a decrease in economic activities such as mining and trade in the area. In addition, the deterioration of the religious and civil infrastructure was documented, as well as the depopulation of this area at the end of the 18th century.