Civilization as a mission: civilizing agents and indigenous people in Bahia during the Pombaline reform

The appearance of the word civilization within the context of a new indigenous policy by the Pombaline reform created in the colonial society the characters of layman agents, civil or military officers appointed to change the indigenous customs, so replacing the missionaries, especially after the expulsion of the Jesuits. This paper discuss the role of these agents and their relevance to the implementation of the Pombaline policy in Bahia in the second half of the 18th century, considering the Indian’s growing process of affirmation and diffusion of the ideas of “civility” and “civilization”.

Keywords:
Civilization; Indigenous people; Bahia; 18th Century