The Heads (Xefes) of the Pardos: the consolidation of an intermediate social sector during the independence of Cartegena de Indias

Abstract

This article revises the process through which, the pardo social class consolidated itself as a middle social sector during the independence process. This fact is described through three instances: first, tracking the pardo social presence and mobility within the ancient règime social class that, with its corporative corpus, hierarchies, rights and duties began to be considered in a kind of doubt position due to borbon liberalism. Secondly, the pardo political participation in the government juntas formed in 1810 altogether with its decisive influence in the total independence in November 11th, 1811. Third, the sound consolidation of «los Xefes de los Pardos» -according to Antonio Nariño lexicon- who disputed to the notables the control of the political power in the Estado Soberano, Libre e Independent of Cartagena de Indias.

Keywords

• Brown
• village
• neighbor
• militia
• independence