Abstract

TURBAY CEBALLOS, SANDRA. The Indigenous Families of Santafé, New Kingdom of Granada according to 16^th and 17^th Century Wills. Anu. colomb. hist. soc. cult. [online]. 2012, vol.39, n.1, pp.49-80. ISSN 0120-2456.

The article analyzes 89 wills drawn up by indigenous inhabitants of Santafé, capital of the New Kingdom of Granada, of the 16^th and 17^th centuries in order to show the transformations of the Muisca family in the colonial city. Polygamy and bride wealth disappeared, marriage was legitimized through the Catholic sacrament, the Mediterranean custom of dowry was established, and children began to inherit their parents' wealth. However, the wills demonstrate the persistence of some matrilineal traits in the legacies the men left to their sister's children and in the succession of cacicazgos. The massive migration of indigenous people to the new city led to a process of mestizaje and to the reconfiguration of indigenous families who adopted orphans of different origins. Some women reached unprecedented positions and turned to the Royal Court to defend their rights that they believed were violated by their indigenous husbands or by their children's Spanish fathers.

Keywords : Santafé; New Granada; family; indigenous people; Colony; Muiscas.

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