Cultura jurídica, litigação indígena e dinâmicas de mestiçagens na Audiência de Charcas, Vice-Reino do Peru, 1561-1700

Abstract

This thesis aims at understanding how the indigenous people of Charcas got acquainted with and made use of the law, thus contributing as active jurisdictional individuals for the formation of a mestizo juridical culture having as problematization the litigation practices for their rights before the Audiencia de La Plata of Charcas, between 1561 to 1700. In this regard, the reconstruction of the following is of interest, from the lenses of the social history of culture: the formation of a legal culture, based on geographic characteristics, legal organization, competences, and proceedings in force within the audiencia de La Plata of Charcas and other jurisdictions; understand the means by which the indigenous people of the Charcas made use of and mobilized the law in defense of their rights and interests; explain the conditions in which the indigenous people gained access to justice from 1561 to 1700 and stress the reasons for continuity and ruptures; rebuild the main themes under litigation before the court of La Plata, as well as what those themes disclose about social relations, notably the dynamics of biological mixtures and cultural blending in the region.