Indeed a fascinating read. I have not studied Columbus and the discovery of the New World before, so this was interesting to me. I don't really like the man, to be honest, and there are several contradictions on Christopher's part which also intrigued me. For example, at the beginning of his journal, he often mentions having sailed more leagues than he reports to his crew that they had. Does he do so to avoid demoralizing them? As well, he mentions the natives being very docile and non-aggressive, and yet he confiscates their pointed "staffs" right away (page 130). He is very keen on converting them to Christianity and finding their gold. He gives them gifts so as to prompt their generosity when Columbus or others return to the islands in the future. I am also wondering why Martin Alonso Pinzon went out on his own. Most likely to find his own riches, I assume.
Comparing Columbus's journal with Guaman Poma's chronicles of the former's conquests in the New World, it seems that Columbus deliberately left out any mentioning of the violence that the Spaniards committed towards the natives. However, both texts mention the Spaniards' relentless drive to find silver and gold, as well as to convert the natives to Christianity. It is very unfortunate that the early Spaniards' conquest, an eventually the conquistadors' colonization, of the New World was so damaging and detrimental to the independence and state of the indigenous groups. People don't really think of tha when they celebrate Columbus Day or Thanksgiving Day, but instead throw lavish dinners -with the purpose of spending time with family and being grateful, granted - without considering what actually happened when the Europeans discovered and settled in the Americas.
Also, the illustrations on the Guaman Poma website are very detailed, and are fascinating to look at from a student's point of view.
Ana, I really enjoyed your post. It's fascinating how you describe Columbus "without knowing him before", cause I've studied this history of colonization since elementary school and I still don't like him.
ReplyDeleteIn the other hand, It is very interesting how the spanish just "forget" to mention all the violence the committed to the indigenous people.
Hey Ana, I thought it was really interesting what you said about the celebration of Columbus Day, and how people aren't really conscious of the story behind and how much suffering it caused to the indigenous people. I thought you would be interested to know that in Latin America, in what would usually be Columbus Day (October 13) we celebrate "El Día de la Raza" (Day of the Race). Día de la Raza has come to be seen by some in Latin America as a "counter" to Columbus Day in a way, sort of a celebration of the resistance against the arrival of Europeans in the Americas and of the natives races and cultures.
ReplyDeleteHanna.