Colonial Cakchiquels: Highland Maya Adaptations to Spanish Rule 1600-1700

by Robert M. Hill II

This case study should prove valuable to students of indigenous Mesoamerican cultures, students of Latin American history & to all those interested in imperialism, colonialism & human adaptions to adversity, domination & exploitation.

183 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Robert M. Hill II is Professor of Anthropology at Tulane University.

Reviews

[Tammy]

Somewhat repetitive at times, but overall very interesting information about the Cakchiquel people during Colonial times. I was pleasantly surprised to read about so many stories that happened near San Juan Sacatepéquez.

[Daniel Morgan]

What I really liked about this book is that the Native Americans of Latin America are often seen as either having totally disappeared or as being permanent, unchanging cultures. This book explores the transformations throughout the Colonial period for the Cakchiquels and also bridges this to both the pre-Conquest societies and the post-Independence/modern experiences. What I really appreciate is that the book examines every facet of life and how it changed even during the Colonial epoch - how was life different during the Conquest vs. during the 1600s vs. after the Bourbon reforms? This isn't a narrative of destruction, defeat, or decline - its a story of Cakchiquel endurance, resistance, collaboration, and adaptation to a post-Conquest world.