- Reason: the beginning of the XVII century
After the first European colonizers arrived in Paraguay , they began to convert local Indians into a Christian religion. Among them were the Jesuits, who for this purpose engaged in the construction of so-called reductions - missions.
general information
The first preachers led by Diego de Torres Bolio and Antonio Ruiz de Montoya divided the territory of South America into provinces. In this case, the Paraguayan region included also Uruguay , Argentina and the Brazilian part - Rio Grande do Sul. Initially, the Jesuit Order created its reductions in small areas inhabited by the Guarani-gupi tribes.
Description of reductions in Paraguay
The first settlements in the country, founded in 1608, almost immediately evolved into a theocratic-patriarchal kingdom, considered to be the only one of its kind. His prototype was a state like Tauantinsuyu. Jesuits in Paraguay were able to convert to Christianity approximately 170,000 native Indians (about 60 villages). Their aborigines settled in one place and began to engage in cattle breeding (bred cows, sheep, chickens) and farming (growing cotton, vegetables and fruits).
Preachers taught people various crafts, for example, making musical instruments, erecting houses and temples. They also organized the spiritual life of the tribe, created orchestras and choirs.
Device of the Jesuit Reduction
The head of the administration in the settlement was a coroheidor, his deputy, a secretary, an economist, a police prefect, three supervisors, a royal flag bearer and four advisers. All of them were members of the city council - Cabildo.
Agricultural work was carried out by the Indians, and the administration collected the harvest in special shops, and later gave food to everyone who needed them. Local residents engaged in both personal and public. In the XVII century there were about 30 such reductions, in which lived up to 10 thousand aborigines.
In 1768, after a complete defeat in the war with the Spanish-Portuguese troops, the Jesuits were expelled from the empire's possessions. Reductions began to decline, and the indigenous people returned to their old life.
Missions that have survived to this day
The largest Jesuit reductions in Paraguay, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, are:
- The mission of La Santisima is Trinidad de Parana (La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná La Santisima Trinidad de Parana). It was founded in 1706 on the bank of the Parana River. It was considered an important Jesuit center for the activities of monks throughout Latin America. It was a small settlement that had an autonomous rule. Until now, various buildings have survived: the houses of the Indians, the altar, the bell tower, fortifications, etc. Here it is best to go with a guide to fully get an idea of the life and culture of that time.
- The mission of Jesús de Tavarangué - in 1678, it was founded by Jerónimo Dolphin on the banks of the Monday River. The settlement was often attacked by Brazilian hunters (baydeans) in pursuit of slaves. In 1750 the number of inhabitants was about 200 people. Currently, you can see the surviving ruins of houses, fortress walls, columns. Near the entrance there is a historical museum.
Address: Ruta 6, km 31., A 28 km de Encarnacion, Encarnacion 6000, Paraguay
Address: Ruta 6 hasta Trinidad km 31, Encarnacion 6000, Paraguay
The social experiment conducted by the missionaries still gives rise to controversy among various historians and researchers. Whatever it was, but the fact that they were able to completely subordinate the will of the Indians and create a mini-state in the original conditions, causes respect in our time.