Abstract

GORI, Esteban De. “As if there were no King”: orphanhood, rights and the demand for justice (17th century, Potosí). Cuyo-anu. filos. argent. am. [online]. 2023, vol.40, n.1, pp.69-90.  Epub Sep 07, 2023. ISSN 1853-3175.

The article analyzes a set of documents gathered in the "Big Petition", presented by the chief cacique and general captain of the towns of the Province of Pacajes (17th century) Gabriel Fernández Guarache (1661). The approach is carried out around his gaze on the oppressive work in the mines of the mitayos and about the economic hardships suffered by the general captains taking into account the political dimensions. We give an account of the look that is built around politics, the relationship of the chiefs and Indians with the authorities and especially, that web of political imaginaries that are established between the request for justice in the face of grievances and the feeling of orphanhood regarding the King. We try to show how discourses and actions that reaffirm perspectives on freedom, rights and autonomy are being wielded and reinforced, in a non-linear or necessary way.

Keywords : Gabriel Fernández Guarache; mita; captain general; absence; justice.