April 12th of the year 1564:
It has been years now since the Spanish conquered my home town right outside of Merida. Since then, life is quit different from what it use to be. After the Spanish arrived, they wanted to regulate our lives and modify our way of living to their standards.
While growing up, the lineage and traditions of my people were the most important aspect of life. When the Spaniards came and enforced Christianity upon us, our lineage was threatened. To continue our heritage, the chiefs and lords of my people would preach about our rites and ancient ceremonies in remote locations to hide it from the Spaniards. When we were discovered, all these activities or ceremonies became forbidden. Anyone who had knowledge of these meetings were required to denounce them. After this all village gatherings were suppressed.
During one incident where idolatry was discovered by the Franciscan friar Diego de Landa, thousands of Mayas were arrested and tortured. Some were tied to whipping posts and many were left paralyzed. More than 4.500 natives were collected from several different locations and than tortured during a three month "inquisition."(1) Many died while others disappeared or committed suicide. This process was labeled a "episcopal inquisition" by bishop Landa but represented little resemblance to inquisitional forms. (2)
The Spaniards developed monasteries with infirmaries and schools in Merida and Campeche to help the process of conversion. "Over 2,000 boys went to these monasteries, myself included, being taught to read and write Mayan in European script and most importantly were taught the elements of the Christian Faith."(3) After time, threats to burn monasteries and friars became constant threats of revolt.
The most commonly known change my people and I went through was being baptized as a Christian. When our children were born they went through a baptism ceremony and were given a Christian name. Also, in order for a native chief to be confirmed in his position he must first submit to be baptized.
The Spaniards also wanted to enforce their notion of propriety in sexual and familial relationships. "The friars were to decide which of a man's several women was his legitimate wife and would compel him into accepting her by even using flogging at times."(4) Our life at home had to change as well. While one was consuming a meal proper table manners were to be enforced. You must sit around a table in chairs, eat on a clean table cloth, and say Grace before eating. Previously, we lacked tables, chairs, and such.
Since the Spaniards preferred a more structured living, many of us were forced to leave certain areas and relocate to new sites which were determined by what was seen as being more suitable to the friars. The places where we spent our childhood was then torched and burned after we were driven out.
Eventually Maya leaders turned more and more towards diplomacy in order to manipulate the "invaders" and also ended up adjusting their views to meet the requirements of Spanish rule.(5)
The transition from pre-conquest to post-conquest was difficult for my people and weighted a heavy tole physically and materially on our well-being. Many suffered from smallpox and unknown epidemics. Overall, the change was great and the transition was tough but we were still able to maintain some of our lineage, our language, and the way we related to each other.
1. Kenneth J. Andrien, The Human Tradition in: Colonial Latin America, (Lanham: SR Books, 2002) 14.
2. Matthew Restall, The Maya World: Yucatec Culture and Society, 1550-1850, (California: Standford University Press, 1997) 154.
3. Inga Clendinnen, Ambivalent Conquests: Maya and Spaniards in Yucatan, 1517-1570, (New York: Cambridge University Press, 1987) 52-59.
4. Inga Clendinnen, Ambivalent Conquests: Maya and Spaniards in Yucatan. 58-59.
5. Matthew Restall, Maya Conquistador, (Boston: Beacon Press, 1998) 150.
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