Local authority and “the people’s voice”: Territoriality and the indigenous policy in the republics of indigenous majority in Espírito Santo, 1760-1822

Abstract

The pombaline reforms during the decade of 1750 tried to modernize the social relationships in the colonial world by proposing to equate the indigenous peoples of Brazil with the Portuguese in terms of political rights and social distinction. This paper reflects on the political participation of the native Brazilians in the local authority of their villages during marquis of Pombal’s Diretório (Directorate), focusing mainly on their experiences in the captaincy of Espírito Santo.

Keywords:
indigenous people; local authority; indigenous lands.