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The encomienda (Spanish pronunciation: [eŋkoˈmjenda] ⓘ) was a Spanish labour system that rewarded conquerors with the labour of conquered non-Christian peoples. In theory, the conquerors provided the labourers with benefits, including military protection and education.
The ideal life of an encomendero was a "casa poblada" (populated house), a Spanish concept which "implied a large house, a Spanish wife if possible, a table where many guests were maintained, African slaves, a staff of Spanish and Indian [Indigenous people] servant-employees" plus "a stable of horses, fine clothing, ownership of agricultural land and herds of livestock, and holding office on ...
Las castas.Casta painting showing 16 racial groupings. Anonymous, 18th century, oil on canvas, 148×104 cm, Museo Nacional del Virreinato, Tepotzotlán, Mexico Casta (Spanish:) is a term which means "lineage" in Spanish and Portuguese and has historically been used as a racial and social identifier.
The encomienda system brought many indigenous Taíno to work in the fields and mines in exchange for Spanish protection, [14] education, and a seasonal salary [15] under the pretense of searching for gold and other materials. [16]
In addition to the encomienda system, the aggressive implementation of missions and their forcible establishment of reductions and congregations led to resistance and sometimes revolt in the native populations being colonized.
The encomienda system did not grant people land, but it indirectly aided in the conquistadors and settlers' acquisition of land with the intent of establishing new towns and populations. As initially defined, the encomendero and his heirs expected to hold these grants in perpetuity.
The "birth of the racial caste system" started in Hispaniola, argues "Stateless" documentary filmmaker Michèle Stephenson, and endures in its recent laws.
The Spanish brought Catholicism, the feudal encomienda system, and a caste system that favored European descendants. Capitolio Nacional on Bolivar Square , Bogotá After independence from Spain, the criollos struggled to establish a pluralistic political system, between conservative and liberal ideals.