Indigenous People In Latin America

Every indigenous culture is different and unique in their own way. While many people may express some of the same views and a same indigenous identity, their cultures are based on different histories, environments, and creative spirits. Indigenous people are defined as having a set of specific rights based on their historical ties to a particular territory, and their cultural or historical distinctiveness from other populations. The concept of indigenous people defines these groups as particularly vulnerable to exploitation, marginalization and oppression by nation states. (Welcome To Indigenous Peoples Literature) The term Latin America basically refers to a Spanish / Portuguese speaking countries in Americas. Before the Europeans arrived in the 1500s, the region was called home to many indigenous people. Many of which had advanced civilizations, which are known as the Aztecs, Maya and Inca.
The Indigenous peoples or as you may now hear people say Native Americans or even Indians where pre-Columbian inhabitants of the Americas. Christopher Columbus was the one who created the …show more content…
On October 12, 1492 when Columbus landed and would be the first day he encountered the Indians, Columbus wrote in his journal: "They should be good servants .... I, our Lord being pleased, will take hence, at the time of my departure, six natives for your Highnesses." These captives were later paraded through the streets of Barcelona and Seville when Columbus returned to Spain. (Bourne, p.111) From his very first contact with native people, Columbus had their domination in mind. For example, on October 14, 1492, Columbus wrote in his journal, "with fifty men they can all be subjugated and made to do what is required of them." (Bourne, p.114) These were not mere words: after his second voyage, Columbus sent back a consignment of natives to be sold as slaves.