Definition of Indigenous Peoples

To mention the group of autochthonous ethnic groups of America, a denomination is used, indigenous peoples. This term is considered more appropriate than others, such as Indians, Aborigines, Amerindians or indigenous people.

Outside of debate about what the term should be used, what is evident is the fact that in America there was a population genuinely American. From the perspective of native peoples, when the Spanish arrived at the new continent began a slow and progressive process of deculturation of these peoples.

The Europeans who came to America imposed their culture and language and, in parallel, introduced the concept of private property

Land ownership and the political / administrative system associated with it did not exist among indigenous peoples. Crops and production they were intended for the community as a whole.

As a consequence of the diseases that reached American lands (especially smallpox), the original population was significantly reduced. This circumstance led to the incorporation of a new population of African origin. These new settlers were enslaved as labor.

The concept of the native Indian in America can be considered false and as a building ethnicity of the European, because in reality there was a plurality immense of ethnic groups: Mayan, Mexica, Olmec or Totomaco in the territory current of Mexico; Mapuche, tonocoté, wichi or huarpe in Argentina; chachis, épera, mantas or cofán in Ecuador and chango, mapuche, ona and chono in Chile.

The American territory represented an opportunity for the impoverished Spaniards who lived in a society organized by social classes

Approximately 30,000 years ago various tribes from Asia and Oceania began to occupy the territory of America through the Bering Strait. With the passage of time they populated the entire continent from north to south and various peoples with different cultures and traditions were formed. Thus, the Araucanians, the Wichis or the Pampas subsisted for centuries thanks to their crops, hunting and fishing.

In the 15th century the Spanish population was organized by a hierarchical system and the discovery of the new world was a great opportunity to change the social position and obtain land for impoverished peasants and nobles.

In the new system tax by the Spaniards the Indians were considered as savages. For this reason, steps were taken to ensure that they were domesticated, exterminated, and, at best, civilized.

Photos: Fotolia - Ana / Filipefrazao