The modernity of the barbarians. The Abipones of San Jerónimo del Rey and their social relations with the borders of Santa Fe in the Chaco

Abstract

The Jesuit missions in the 18th century entailed a significant change of the social relations established in the borders of the Chaco and Santa Fe, where the indigenous people contributed to the creation of Jesuit reductions and strengthened their prestige, power and wealth. During the missionary experience they had delineated the social positions that they occupied after the Jesuit’s expulsion. After the expulsion some indigenous groups made a political arrangement with the Spanish-Creole group, establishing a new relationship with the Colonial agents. This article discusses the social and economic changes that took place throughout the mission process, as they evolved into a new pattern of social relationships in the borders of the Chaco and Santa Fe by the end of the 18th century. The analysis of the native political projects and the conflicts they entailed regarding economic interests in the border implies a thorough study of the dramatic changes that came along with the Enlightenment.

Key words: indigenous people, Jesuit order, politics, Enlightenment.