Cartas de indígenas potiguaras de las Guerras Holandesas en el Brasil (1645-1646)

Abstract

The letters presented in this contribution were exchanged between two groups of Potiguara Indians in North eastern Brazil, one allied to the Dutch, the other to the Portuguese. They are exceptional for Colonial Brazil. Written by indigenous military leaders themselves in the context of the Dutch War (1645-1646), they should convince the Potiguara allied to the Dutch to change sides and fight with the Portuguese. The Indians had acquired their literacy skills with the Europeans they were fighting with, as we know from their biographical background. These unique documents are of great worth to understand the sociolinguistic impact of indigenous literacy in the 17th century.

Keywords

• Dutch Brasil Colony
• Potiguara
• Indigenous literacy
• Indigenous leadership