The conquest of the Caribs of the Orinoco basin, 1498-1771
This thesis is concerned with the Spanish conquest of those Carib groups who, at the time of the first contact, occupied the eastern llanos of Venezuela, the north and south banks of the lower Orinoco and the region between the Sierra Imataca and Essequibo River. An historical analysis of Carib resistance to the Conquistadors and missionaries, during the years 1498-1771 is presented. Alongside this general theme certain specific issues in Carib history and ethnography are also discussed, as follows: 1) Carib Demography and Population: problems of historical demography are discussed and an estimate of Carib population levels at the time of contact presented: subsistence practices, trading and warfare, leadership, the village and kin group are also discussed: detailed archival evidence is offered to demonstrate the effect of European diseases among Carib groups during the eighteenth century. 2) Carib Cannibalism: the evidence for this practice is examined in detail and the role that accusations concerning this practice played in the Spanish conquest explained. 3) Carib Slaving: the role of the Europeans in encouraging this practice is examined with a view to showing that, while it was indeed widespread in its
Whitehead, Neil L.
Carib Indians ; History ; South America ; To 1806
The conquest of the Caribs of the Orinoco basin, 1498-1771. This thesis is concerned with the Spanish conquest of those Carib groups who, at the time of the first contact, occupied the eastern llanos of Venezuela, the north and south banks of the lower Orinoco and the region between the Sierra Imataca and Essequibo River. An historical analysis of Carib resistance to the Conquistadors and missionaries, during the years 1498-1771 is presented. Alongside this general theme certain specific issues in Carib history and ethnography are also discussed, as follows: 1) Carib Demography and Population: problems of historical demography are discussed and an estimate of Carib population levels at the time of contact presented: subsistence practices, trading and warfare, leadership, the village and kin group are also discussed: detailed archival evidence is offered to demonstrate the effect of European diseases among Carib groups during the eighteenth century. 2) Carib Cannibalism: the evidence for this practice is examined in detail and the role that accusations concerning this practice played in the Spanish conquest explained. 3) Carib Slaving: the role of the Europeans in encouraging this practice is examined with a view to showing that, while it was indeed widespread in its
conquest basin concerned spanish_conquest group time first contact occupied eastern venezuela north_south bank low region river historical_analysis resistance missionary present alongside general theme certain specific_issue history ethnography also_discuss follow demography population problem historical demography discuss estimate population_level time contact present subsistence_practice trading warfare leadership village kin group also_discuss detailed archival_evidence offer effect european disease among group cannibalism evidence practice examine_detail role accusation concern practice play spanish_conquest explain role europeans encouraging practice examine view showing indeed widespread