Comisario de naciones

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In colonial and early republican Chile comisario de naciones was a government official that mediated between indigenous and the Spanish Crown, later authorities of the Republic of Chile replaced the Spanish in the mediation chain. [1] The comisario de naciones would hear the concerns of local caciques and bring the issues to relevant authorities. Each comisario de naciones was charged with the oversight of various capitanes de amigos. [1] Invitations to the parliaments held between the Governor of Chile and indigenous authorities were granted by comisarios de naciones. [1]

In the mid-19th century the functions of the comisario de naciones begun to be overtaken by ordinary judges. [2] This put Huilliche of Futahuillimapu in great disadvantage as their lands were coveted by non-indigenous Chileans and German settlers and the ordinary judged had scant knowledge of indigenous affairs. [2]

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Futahuillimapu or Fütawillimapu is a traditional territory of the Huilliche people. Futahuillimapu spans the land between Bueno River and Reloncaví Sound. Futahuillimapu means "great land of the south."

In colonial and early republican Chile capitán de amigos were Spanish or Mestizo officials who surveilled friendly indigenous tribes. Capitanes de amigos were oversighted by higher ranking officials known as comisario de naciones. It was not uncommon for a capitán de amigos to live among the indegnous peoples he was in charge of, sometimes marrying indigenous women and even adopting prohibited customs such as polygamy. Knowing both Spanish and indigenous cultures some capines de amigos took advantage of this to profit in frontier trade. In times of indigenous revolts information provided by capitanes de amigos was crucial for Spanish or Chilean authorities.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Tipos fronterizos". Memoria Chilena (in Spanish). Biblioteca Nacional de Chile . Retrieved January 12, 2021.
  2. 1 2 Rumian Cisterna, Salvador (2020-09-17). Gallito Catrilef: Colonialismo y defensa de la tierra en San Juan de la Costa a mediados del siglo XX (M.Sc. thesis) (in Spanish). University of Los Lagos.