Caciques, jesuitas y chamanes en la frontera sur de Buenos Aires (1740-1753)

Abstract

This article analyses the evolution of three missions founded by the Company of Jesus south of the río Salado, in the gobernación of Buenos Aires, between the years 1741 and 1753. These missions were located well to the south of the frontier which separated Indian from hispano-creole society. Their foundation occurred during a period when both societies were undergoing significant changes, above all due to the consolidation of new intercultural trade routes. Specifically, the article studies the internal dynamics of these missions, on the basis of relations between the settled Indian caciques, the Jesuit priests, and indigenous shamans.