Socio-political organization of the cofradias

Abstract

This article deals with lay-religious brotherhoods imposed by the Spanish Crown, during the colonial period. These brotherhoods were an instrument for the socialization of indian communities in the Spanish culture and were important elements of the social organization of Indian villages. Although imposed by the Spaniards, brotherhoods were used by the Indians to revive their traditional social organization. Indian chiefs, because of their intermediate position. between the colonial and indigenous societies, had an ambiguous role and used these brotherhoods as means to enhance their image as natural leaders. Brotherhoods in a sense, were the backbone of a new mestizo society.