Notes on Conquest of Mexico and Possession

Key Historical Dates

• 1531: The myth of the Virgin of Guadalupe first appeared.

• 1810: Start of the Mexican War for Independence, leading to Mexico's independence from Spain.

• 1550-1551: La Casa-Sepulveda debate.

Eric Wolf's "Dark Ages of Mexico"

• Eric Wolf termed the period between 1531 and 1810 as the "dark ages of Mexico".

• Characterized by:

  • Colonial rule

  • Haciendas using indigenous people as slave labor.

The La Casa-Sepulveda Debate

• Participants:

  • Bartolomé de las Casas: Argued that indigenous people have souls, can be Christianized, and deserve rights.

  • Juan de Sepulveda: Believed indigenous people were meant to be servants due to their descent.

• Outcome: Sepulveda won the debate, leading to early legalized discrimination.

Hierarchy of Rights Based on Race

• Hierarchy Established:

  • White Europeans

  • American-born whites

  • Indigenous peoples

  • Africans and aboriginal populations

Symbolism of the Virgin of Guadalupe

For Indigenous Families:

• Represents warmth, love, and hope to return to precolonial times.

• The warmth associated with interacting with Guadalupe, comparable to the warmth from drinking pulque (a traditional alcoholic beverage).

For Hispanic Families:

• Represents an alternate authority figure and rebellion against male authority.

• Symbolizes a hope for overcoming familial oppression and social struggles.

• Depicted in art as a source of life, hope, and health, contrasting with the death associated with Christ on the cross.

Political and Religious Aspirations

• Guadalupe is associated with Mexican nationalism and identity.

• Seen as speaking to Juan Diego in Nahuatl, symbolizing the inclusivity of indigenous people into Christianity.

• Guadalupe embodies indigenous aspirations for political rights, citizenship, and freedom from oppression.

Attributes of Indigenous and Hispanic Family Structures

Indigenous Families:

• Gender equality, division of labor between partners, seldom exploitative roles, minimal physical punishment.

Hispanic Families:

• Rigid patriarchal structure with unquestioned male authority, defined masculinity through sexual conquests, and prevalent physical punishment.

Possession

• Definition: Alteration of individual identity through an alien spirit's presence.

• Perceived differently in cultures, with various interpretations and consequences.

• Commonly viewed in pop culture negatively, but can have positive connotations in various traditions.

Cultural Relativism

• Ethnocentrism: Judging another culture solely through the lens of one's own.

• Cultural Relativism: Understanding cultures based on their own merits and histories.

Examining Supernatural Beliefs

• Skeptics vs. believers: Perspectives differ on the existence and interpretation of the supernatural.

• How possession differs across cultures, voodoo vs. Catholic interpretations.

Maria Lionza Cult

• Developed in Venezuela as an established location of spiritual pilgrimage.

• Represents a blend of national identity and indigenous culture.

Psychological Functions of Possession

• Seen as a response to social and personal struggles, providing comfort and empowerment, especially for women.

• The dual interpretation of possession: as a form of distress and as reinforcement of social norms.

Conclusion

• The Virgin of Guadalupe plays a dual role: a source of hope and a symbol of cultural identity; its imagery is tied to the complexities of social status and race in Mexican history. The concept of possession further reflects the intricate relationship between culture, identity, and psychological needs, epitomized by different functionalities across various spiritual practices.