Literac y and Cultural Mediation in Indigeneous Communities of Center South México in the 19TH Century

Abstract

This article aims at shedding light on the uses of reading and writing
inherited and applied by the indigenous communities in the state of Oaxaca
in Mexico after the independence. Since the colonial era, writing represented an
important instrument for the communities to address the vice-royal tribunals in
defense of their lands and rights. The writing of legal petitions was carried out by
literate mediators, who wrote down the oral testimonies. With the independence
of New Spain, in 1821, this tradition persisted, although adapted to the juridical
structure of the new born National State. On the other hand, throughout the
19th century, many communities kept making efforts in order to assure the presence
of an elementary teacher capable of promoting literacy and fluency in Spanish
among the new generations.