Los padrones de indios guaraníes de las misiones jesuíticas (1656-1801): análisis dinámico y comparativo desde la óptica de los cacicazgos

Abstract

This article focuses on an analysis of a set of census records of the Jesuit reductions of Paraguay and the Rio de la Plata, during the 17th and 18th centuries. A series of lists of names in a standardized format was periodically produced, on the occasion of the inspection of the royal Spanish authority for the purpose of collecting tribute. The objective of the article is to better understand in the light of these censuses, the internal structure and social function of the “cacicazgo” of the Jesuit reductions. A meticulous classification of numerous data recorded in each census, and a comparison of this data with other documents from the frame of reference of anthropology, are the main methodological aspects of this article.