Identidades latinoamericanas frente al colonialismo. Una apreciación histórico-antropológica: Introducción al dossier

Abstract

The introductory essay addresses key problems of the complex relationship between colonialism and cultural identity in Latin America. Both phenomena have been linked to each other since the arrival of the Spaniards. They introduced a model of colonialism which affected every sphere of indigenous life and aimed at imposing a new, colonial identity on the native population. Colonialism and cultural identity remained in close relationship even in postcolonial times, given that the legacies of colonialism continue to exercise influence on the cultural identity of Latin American native peoples until the present day. Finally, the paper comes to an end by pointing out reactions and responses developed by the indigenous population in the confrontation with colonialism.