- Franciscan missions to the Maya
The Franciscan Missions to the Maya were the attempts of the
Franciscans toChristianize theindigenous people of thenew world , specifically theMaya . They began to take place soon after the discovery of theNew World made byChristopher Columbus in 1492, which opened the door forCatholic missions . As early as 1519 there are records ofFranciscan activity in theAmerican continent , and throughout the early16th Century themission movement spreads from the original contact point in theCaribbean to includeMexico ,Central America , parts ofSouth America , and theSouthwest United States . [Habig 1945:342]The goal of the
Franciscan missions was to spread theChristian faith to the “uncivilized” people of theNew World through “word and example” [Clendinnen 1982] , but also, though not explicitly stated, oppression and castigation, specificallyself-flagellation , also known asmortification of the flesh . Their attempts, however, resulted in much violence and cruelty.=Purpose=
Spreading
Christianity to the newly discovered continent was a top priority, but only one piece of the Spanish colonization system. The influence of theFranciscans , considering thatmissionaries are sometimes seen as tools ofimperialism , [Grahm 1998: 28] enabled other objectives to be reached, such as the extension ofSpanish language , culture and political control to theNew World . A goal was to change the agricultural or nomadic Indian into a model of the Spanish people and society. Basically, the aim was forurbanization . The missions achieved this by “offering gifts and persuasion…and safety from enemies.” This protection was also security for the Spanish military operation, since there would be theoretically less warring if the natives were pacified, thus working with another piece of the system. [Lee 1990:44]=Methods in the Yucatan=
Franciscan influence in the Yucatan can be considered unique because they enjoyed sole access to the area; no other
religious orders , such as theJesuits or theDominicans were competing for the territory. [Clendinnen 1982:45] Essentially, this meant that there was no one to defy the goings-on of theFranciscans at this time. They were able to use whatever method they deemed necessary to spread their beliefs, although at the beginning they tried to follow the “conversion programme” that had already been used in Mexico. [Clendinnen 1982: 33]Word and example
The original method of instruction of the ‘new faith’ to the
Maya was very straightforward and simple. “Word and example” would be all they need to show these people the then-believed error of their ways and followChristianity . [Clendinnen 1982: 29] An example of how theFranciscans carried out this belief can be seen by the actions of FrayMartín de Valencia , one of theTwelve Apostles of Mexico . Upon arrival to his province, he kneeled before a group of assembled natives and began to speak publicly of his own sins [a form ofconfession ] , and commenced to whip himself in front of all. Thus the ideal method of teaching was to avoid “direct exercise of power.” [Clendinnen 1982: 29]Education of youth
Another means of conversion was the education of the
Mayan youth . Through the aforementioned conversion programme, “sons of the nobles were taken into monastery schools and there taught until they were judged sufficiently secure in the faith to be returned to their villages as Christian schoolmasters, where they were to lead their fellow villagers through simple routines of worship.” [Clendinnen 1982: 33] According to FrayDiego de Landa in his bookRelación de las cosas de Yucatán , this program was quite successful, and an “admirable thing to see.” [de Landa 1974: 74]Physical punishment
The early success through peaceful teaching and quiet example of the
Franciscan missionaries, however, was short lived. Within the first few years it became apparent that verbal teaching would not be enough, as theMayans remained overall unmoved of the lessons ofChristianity . [Clendinnen 1982: 30] In 1539 the heads of the three religious orders operating in Mexico met with theFranciscan bishopJuan de Zumárraga and concluded that the friars of the missionaries could legally inflict “light punishment” on theMayans . [Clendinnen 1982: 30] These moderate disciplines, however, soon turned into cases ofphysical abuse and excessive cruelty; it seems that once the friars found this method to be successful, there could be no turning back. This can be witnessed by the words ofVasco de Quiroga , a bishop ofMichoacán : “ [the regular orders] are now inflicting many mistreatments upon the Indians, with great haughtiness and cruelty, for when the Indians do not obey them, they insult and strike them, tear out their hair, have them stripped and cruelly flogged, and then throw them into prison in chains and cruel irons.” [Clendinnen 1982: 31]=Mayan Retaliations=
Cochua and Chetumal
Because of extreme cruelties inflicted upon the Mayan people of the provinces
Cochua andChetumal , a rebellion broke out. The violence includes several citizens burned alive in their homes, the hanging of women from branches, with their children then hanged from their feet, and another instance of hanging virgins simply for their beauty. [de Landa 1974: 60] While de Landa does not go into details of what theMayans did to theSpaniards , he certainly graphically explains the Spanish retribution: “the Spaniards pacified them… [by] cutting off noses, arms and legs, and the breasts of women; throwing them into deep lagoons with gourds tied to their feet; stabbing the little children because they did not walk as fast as their mothers.” [de Landa 1974: 61]Valladolid
An additional rebellion was executed by the Indians of Valladolid. During this rebellion, which took place in 1546, many
Spaniards were killed, as well as native converts loyal to their masters. Livestock from Spain was razed, and Spanish tress uprooted. [de Landa 1974: 64] The presence and activity of theFranciscans is believed to be the cause of this riot. In one day, seventeen Spaniards were killed, and some four hundred servants were either killed or wounded. [de Landa 1974: 64]Killings of Friars
Another form of rebellion by the
Maya and other indigenous groups against theFranciscans was the murder ofmissionaries themselves, often just two or three at a time, though in some instances many more. Described asmartyrs , these men were picked off in twos or threes throughout the years of the missionary work all through Mexico. [ Habig 1945: 335-6, 338]=Success=
While the term ‘success’ is a delicate word to use, considering the mass injustices of not only the Mayan people, but most if not all other indigenous groups that came in contact with the
Spanish conquest in the sixteenth century, the conquests made bySpain were successful in terms of global achievement. It is to be lamented that the ancient way of life, not to mentionreligion , was drastically changed forever, but also important to note that Spain did indeed accomplish an enormous feat: a religious power from a small country inEurope that governed and maintained control of a vast area of land for several centuries. In history there is no equal achievement. [Lee 1990: 42]=Notes=
=References=
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