Origin, economy and family of caciques and cacicas in Antequera, Oaxaca, during the 18th century

Abstract

Mexican historiography has extensively documented the cacique system and indigenous nobility. In the case of Oaxaca, research indicates that the chiefs and cacicas of the region managed to maintain their status and privileges until the 18th century. In addition, many of them moved their residence to the city of Antequera, the current capital of the state. In this sense, this research focuses on this sector of the population that moved to the capital, from the study of unpublished sources for the study. The rigorous analysis of the documentation exposes a novel and complex panorama of the socioeconomic situation of the indigenous nobility in the south of New Spain. It demonstrates how some caciques maintained privileges and wealth in the urban environment, while others had to adapt to less favorable economic and social conditions.