The Role Of Post-Ethnic Hierarchies In Colonial Latin America

The post-conquest ethnic hierarchies, which were implemented in colonial Latin America, rooted out of intertwining dominant European practices and views into pre-conquest Indigenous civilizations. Europeans held a superior position in most aspects of their societies, whether it was in terms of political power, economic wealth, or social status. Therefore, the structure of these post-conquest hierarchies placed Europeans on top, and the remainder of people, such as Indigenous peoples and Africans, at the bottom of it all. This is evident in systems such as the Sistema de Castas. There are a wide range of sources, from writers of different backgrounds, such as Don Felipe Guaman Poma de Ayala and Don Carlos de Sigüenza y Góngora, which bring
Don Felipe Guaman Poma de Ayala, an Inca nobleman, wrote about the challenges of being at such a low position in the hierarchical system. He wrote from personal experiences working alongside Spanish officials. Throughout his work, Guaman Poma asserted Indigenous peoples were belittled and taken advantage of by those who were above them. He mentioned, “corregidores, who should be defending the poor Indians of this kingdom from all the harm, […] instead take and receive it all, without giving a thing to the Indians” (Red Reader, 109). This shows those who were in a higher ranking position, in this case being the corregidores, were selfish in the sense of caring about themselves and their representation, even if it meant leaving others, the Indians, behind with nothing. Poma described Indigenous peoples as “poor Indians” all throughout his work (Red Reader, 110, 114, 118). This constant repetition reinforced Poma’s view of Indigenous peoples being victims of the social systems implemented throughout colonial Latin America. He also had a clear view of marriage being an important institution in societies as such, but did not benefit Indigenous peoples. In fact, it did the exact opposite of benefit them. Poma explained Spaniards, mestizos, and mulattoes, would end up marrying Indian women in order to “afflict them, take away all the property they have, invade their lands and houses, [and] cause disturbance and scandal” (Red Reader, 118). By doing so, these people [Spaniards, mestizos, and mulattoes] would gain even more power and stripped Indians of the little amount of power they had. Poma, coming from Inca descent, empathized with Indigenous people and claimed their low position in the ethnic hierarchies put them in a vulnerable position where those