Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 71-93 |
| Number of pages | 23 |
| Journal | Ethnohistory |
| Volume | 63 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - 2016 |
Abstract
The Miskitu Indians of Eastern Nicaragua and Honduras are one of the most numerous indigenous groups in the southern part of Central America. Never conquered by the Spaniards during the colonial era, they first came under control of the Central American republics in the late nineteenth century. Their leaders were known as kings from the early seventeenth century up until 1860. A scholarly debate has arisen on the character of these leaders: were they big men or chiefs? Generalizations on the character of leadership over extended periods of time, however, are problematic, since Miskitu political organization underwent significant change over time as a result of the fluctuating influence of the colonial powers (Spain and England) that sought hegemony in the region. This article will therefore periodize Miskitu leadership patterns, taking into account the influence of the colonial powers as well as of resident British and US traders, who played a major role in local politics.
Keywords
- Colonialism, Miskitu, Nicaragua, Political organization
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Arts and Humanities(all)
- History
- Social Sciences(all)
- Anthropology
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In: Ethnohistory, Vol. 63, No. 1, 2016, p. 71-93.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - "God save the king of the mosquito Nation!" Indigenous leaders on the fringe of the Spanish empire
AU - Gabbert, Wolfgang
PY - 2016
Y1 - 2016
N2 - The Miskitu Indians of Eastern Nicaragua and Honduras are one of the most numerous indigenous groups in the southern part of Central America. Never conquered by the Spaniards during the colonial era, they first came under control of the Central American republics in the late nineteenth century. Their leaders were known as kings from the early seventeenth century up until 1860. A scholarly debate has arisen on the character of these leaders: were they big men or chiefs? Generalizations on the character of leadership over extended periods of time, however, are problematic, since Miskitu political organization underwent significant change over time as a result of the fluctuating influence of the colonial powers (Spain and England) that sought hegemony in the region. This article will therefore periodize Miskitu leadership patterns, taking into account the influence of the colonial powers as well as of resident British and US traders, who played a major role in local politics.
AB - The Miskitu Indians of Eastern Nicaragua and Honduras are one of the most numerous indigenous groups in the southern part of Central America. Never conquered by the Spaniards during the colonial era, they first came under control of the Central American republics in the late nineteenth century. Their leaders were known as kings from the early seventeenth century up until 1860. A scholarly debate has arisen on the character of these leaders: were they big men or chiefs? Generalizations on the character of leadership over extended periods of time, however, are problematic, since Miskitu political organization underwent significant change over time as a result of the fluctuating influence of the colonial powers (Spain and England) that sought hegemony in the region. This article will therefore periodize Miskitu leadership patterns, taking into account the influence of the colonial powers as well as of resident British and US traders, who played a major role in local politics.
KW - Colonialism
KW - Miskitu
KW - Nicaragua
KW - Political organization
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85000774347&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1215/00141801-3325406
DO - 10.1215/00141801-3325406
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85000774347
VL - 63
SP - 71
EP - 93
JO - Ethnohistory
JF - Ethnohistory
SN - 0014-1801
IS - 1
ER -