Nominales pero atrevidos: Capitanes chiriguanos aliados en el Chaco boliviano (siglo XIX)

Abstract

Among the Chiriguano of the 19th century, several testimonies contrast the puppet chiefs imposed by the Whites and the legitimate leaders of the communities. These testimonies also mention the problems raised by the rivalries concerning office within the communities. Nevertheless, the analysis of several case studies reveals that the situation was not always so simple: the chiefs imposed by the White authorities were often the legitimate heirs to office, and the allied Captains of the Prefecturas were suspected of being rebels. Therefore we propose to understand the political problems within the communities as internal rivalries between Big Men, who seek in the intervention of the Whites new arguments and encouragement for their struggles. The conclusion suggests that, since the 19th century, the official titles have been incorporated to the Chiriguano internal political system.