THE INDIGENOUS WITHIN

A Cross Curricular Study

What is the history of Paraguay's indigenous people?

With the arrival of the European explorers came the Roman Catholic Church. For the next 200 years the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) had more influence of the colonies’ social and economic life than the Spanish governors who attempted to control Paraguay.

Jesuit Father, Diego de Torres, was given power by Philip III in 1610 to subdue the indigenous Indians of Paraguay. The Jesuits organized 100,000 Guarani in about 20 reducciones (communal townships). The redduciones were built by the Guarani. They contributed not only in the construction of the building, they also were taught to carve the saints from wood. The indigenous created the altars, sculptures, and much of the art that can be seen the churches and museums of Paraguay.

From the time the Iberian explorers set foot in Paraguay, the indigenous culture became diluted. The Spaniards took concubines and their offspring became the mestizo and the Hispanic-Guarani was born.

By cultural contact the life-style and customs, and beliefs of the indigenous changed. In the Chaco the Indians adopted the horse, the introduction of sheep developed the making of fabric.

Activities:

Plot the Jesuit missions in Paraguay by drawing, coloring and labeling a map.

Plot the Spanish missions in North America as above.

Compare and contrast life in the reducciones to life on an American slave plantation.

Create a time line that begins with the Iberian discovery of Paraguay to its date of independence from Spain noting the changes in ruler, law, and civil rights of the people.

Draw a picture of indigenous life in the rain forests before the Spanish discover South America.