Discuss the relevance of both indigenous religion and Catholicism to understanding the history and culture of Mesoamerica, past and present.
Assignment Brief
Target length: Approximately 1000 words not including references cited.
References and citation: Your reply must be based only on assigned resources and should only include brief quotes (one or two phrases or sentences per citation). All references must be fully cited at the end of your paper under the heading “References Cited.” Follow MLA or APA citation style. Put all quoted material, even phrases, in quotation marks. Guidelines available at http://umb.libguides.com/citations
Option One: The spiritual conquest of Mesoamerica
View the Voice
Thread on the Spiritual Conquest of Mesoamerica and other posted resources in the lesson on religion.
Discuss the relevance of both indigenous religion and Catholicism to understanding the history and culture of Mesoamerica, past and present. How does Mesoamerica illustrate the complex ways in which different belief systems encounter one another? How has religion been used as a tool of oppression as well as resistance in Mexico and/or Guatemala?
You do not have to answer these questions sequentially, and you need not give equal attention to each question. You may also incorporate some details about your own religious background if it affects your views of religion generally or Catholicism and/or indigenous religious beliefs.
Your response should engage specific concepts from class (acculturation, syncretism, materialist and symbolic approaches to religion etc.), refer as specifically as possible to three or more assigned resources and include an original title and conclusion.
Sample Answer
Syncretism and Struggle: The Spiritual Conquest of Mesoamerica
Introduction
The Spanish conquest of Mesoamerica in the 16th century was not only a military and political event but also a deeply spiritual conflict. While history often highlights the fall of great civilisations like the Aztecs and the Maya, it is equally important to understand how religion played a key role in shaping both conquest and resistance. Indigenous belief systems, rich in symbolism and closely tied to nature and community, encountered Catholicism, an institutional religion brought by missionaries aiming to ‘save’ native souls. This essay explores how these two religious traditions collided, interacted, and ultimately blended through processes of syncretism and acculturation. It also considers how religion has been used as a tool of both oppression and resistance in Mesoamerican history, particularly in Mexico and Guatemala. Through examining these dynamics, we gain a deeper understanding of Mesoamerican culture, past and present.
The Role of Indigenous Religion in Mesoamerica
Before the arrival of the Spanish, Mesoamerican societies had well-developed religious systems that governed not only spiritual life but also political, social, and economic structures. Gods and goddesses represented natural forces like the sun, rain, maize, and fertility, and rituals were performed to maintain balance in the cosmos. Symbolic anthropologists such as Clifford Geertz have suggested that religion in such societies serves to explain life’s mysteries and to guide behaviour (Geertz, 1973). In this sense, Mesoamerican religion was deeply integrated into daily life.
The materialist approach to religion, as proposed by Marvin Harris (1979), also helps explain Mesoamerican religious practices. For example, the ritual of human sacrifice can be seen as serving both spiritual and material needs, appeasing gods while reinforcing political control. Therefore, when Catholic missionaries arrived, they were not merely asking people to change beliefs; they were asking for a complete reorganisation of society.
Catholicism as a Tool of Conquest
The Spanish Crown saw Catholicism as essential to their conquest strategy. Missionaries, especially Franciscans and Dominicans, accompanied conquistadors and set up missions to convert indigenous populations. They destroyed temples, burned sacred texts, and built churches over former ritual sites. Indigenous people were forced to attend mass and abandon their gods under threat of violence or punishment. This is a classic example of acculturation, where one culture is forced to adopt the traits of another, often more powerful, group.
In this context, religion was used as a tool of oppression. The Spanish justified their conquest as a ‘civilising mission,’ seeing indigenous beliefs as ‘devil worship’ (Restall, 2003). The forced conversions, banning of native rituals, and destruction of cultural heritage amounted to spiritual violence. Yet, indigenous people did not simply abandon their traditions; instead, they adapted.
Syncretism and Resistance
Faced with cultural loss, indigenous communities began to blend elements of Catholicism with their traditional beliefs. This process, called syncretism, led to unique religious expressions. For example, in Mexico, the Virgin of Guadalupe is often associated with the Aztec goddess Tonantzin. Indigenous people continued to celebrate festivals on sacred days and places, now rebranded under Catholic names.
This blending allowed indigenous people to preserve aspects of their identity. It also became a form of cultural resistance. By incorporating Catholic saints into their pantheon, they maintained a sense of spiritual continuity. In Guatemala, the Maya adapted Catholic symbols into their own cosmology, and today many still practise Maya Catholicism, which includes traditional rituals alongside mass.
Furthermore, religion sometimes became a rallying point for social justice. In the 20th century, liberation theology, a Catholic movement advocating for the poor, took root in Latin America. In both Mexico and Guatemala, indigenous people have drawn on religious language to resist state oppression and defend their rights, showing how religion can also empower.
Continued...
