El fin de las guerras calchaquíes. La desnaturalización de la nación yocavil a La Rioja (1667)

Abstract

This paper gives a context to an unpublished document from 1667, preserved in the Archives of the Province of Cordoba, Argentina. It is a record and a recognition of families of the Yocavil nation that were deported from the Calchaquí Valley in 1665, and who almost two years afterwards were installed in their respective encomenderos’ farms, stables and sites located in the city of La Rioja. The text is a brief summary of the background of Calchaquíes wars and political projects framed by governor Alonso de Mercado y Villacorta to obtain resources to lead the final campaign of pacification of the valley and at the same time provide the Spanish Creoles with work force for their service. The policy of deportation and division of families was the result of the strategy implemented by the colonial state officials to put an end to decades of rebellion and resistance of the native societies.

Keywords

• calchaquíes wars
• deportations
• Yocavil nation
• La Rioja