Analogy or Erasure? Dialectics of Religious Transformation in the Early Doctrinas of the Colca Valley, Peru

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This paper examines the tension between the Spanish evangelical ideal of religious conversion (erasure and replacement of “idolatrous” praxis) and the exigencies of its enactment (inter-cultural communication via analogy) among a series of sixteenth century Franciscan doctrinal settlements (doctrinas) in the Colca valley of southern Peru. I suggest that the necessity and outcomes of inter-cultural communication during initial evangelization made conversion impossible, despite increasing institutionalization of coercive doctrinal measures through time. Combined archaeological and historical analysis explores how these tensions were locally negotiated. Written texts describe early extirpation campaigns, while archaeological evidence documents the remains of early doctrinas in the form of rustic chapels at local settlements which were previously centers of Inka power. Associations between these chapels and Inka ritual spaces hint at an analogical approach to conversion that is not as evident in the documentary record. Analogies linking Inka and Christian religious symbols were later “re-written” onto the surfaces and spaces of Spanish-style reducción villages established in the 1570 s.

KEY WORDS:

religion conversion colonialism Andes 
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Notes

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This paper was originally presented at a working group and subsequent colloquium at Dumbarton Oaks entitled “The Archaeology of the Early Church in the New World,” organized by Jeffrey Quilter and Joanne Pillsbury. It has benefited tremendously from the input of all of the scholars at these meetings, including Tom Cummins, Alan Durston, William Fowler, Jaime Lara, Sabine MacCormack, Kenneth Mills, Stella Nair, David Hurst Thomas, and Gary Urton. Any shortcomings are entirely a product of my inability to grasp their wisdom. Maria Benavides graciously provided me with photocopies and transcriptions of innumerable colonial documents, and critical feedback on earlier drafts. The research and counsel of William Denevan inspired me to undertake research in the Colca valley. My deepest gratitude is extended to the municipalities and communities of Yanque and Coporaque for their warm hospitality and support during the investigation. Funding for this research was provided by the Wenner-Gren Foundation (Grant No. 6431). Logistical support and laboratory space was provided by the Center for Archaeological Research in Arequipa (CIARQ). Analysis was supported by a Junior Fellowship in Precolumbian Studies at Dumbarton Oaks and a Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Carolina Population Center (University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill). Writeup was supported by a Richard Carley Hunt Fellowship from the Wenner-Gren Foundation. The field research reported in this article was conducted under the authorization of Resolución Directoral 615 (1999) of the Instituto Nacional de Cultura del Perú, under the co-direction of Ericka Guerra Santander.

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© Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2007

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Department of AnthropologyVanderbilt UniversityNashvilleUSA

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