Abstract

OBREGON ITURRA, Jimena Paz  and  ZAVALA CEPEDA, José Manuel. Abolition and persistence of indigenous slavery in Colonial Chile: pro-Slavery strategies at de the Araucano-Mapuche border area. Mem. am. [online]. 2009, n.17-1, pp.07-31. ISSN 1851-3751.

For the araucano-mapuche Indians of southern Chile captured in battle during warfare, a system of legal slavery became one of the exceptions to the juridical statute for the vassals of the King extended to include the Indian population of America since 1542. Our work consists on a reflection on slavery and other forms of dependency and forceful work. Synthetically, we consider the illegal slavery practices which prepared the ground to their legality since 1608, in spite of its precarious, shaky, and contradictory character, which persisted in such legislation until the beginning of the definite abolition process in 1674. Based on the fragments of histories of life, it is in our particular interest to understand how the Spaniards living in Chile intended to perpetuate slavery de facto, even once its legality became banned. Finally, after more than a century has elapsed, we will examine how some specific women and children destinies resemble slavery practices.

Keywords : Slavery; Colonial Chile.

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