Guaranies women in the Jesuit missions: categories in tension, social reorganization and resistence

Abstract

This paper studies the tensions between the Jesuit policy of control over Guaraní women, the missionary, social, and demographic dynamics of the period and the forms of resistance against that control. It focuses on the inquiry about the category widows and the policy of their reclusion in Collection Houses. The study analyzes some population censuses from the 17th and 18th centuries, which are carried out by colonial authorities and Jesuits, as well as by ordinances of the Paraguayan provincials of the 18th century. The data show that there is an excessive number of widows compared to that of widowers, and that this is sustained throughout the 18th century. The excessive widow count is not directly attributable to wars, crises or epidemics that could explain it. It is investigated how this numerical disproportion coincides with the concern registered in the ordinances of the provincials and superiors in order to create and maintain in each settlement a common hall, nearby the plaza, to keep them in. We claim that the control over these women ocurred in the context of a missionary social life which was more dynamic, heterogeneous, and resistant as expected.