Christianization and social change of indigenous society in the Jesuit missions in Spanish colonial South America

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K13455
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 04030:Cultural anthropology and folklore-related
• Research Institution: Rikkyo University (2022); Utsunomiya University (2019-2021)
• Principal Investigator: Kaneko Ami 立教大学, 異文化コミュニケーション学部, 准教授 (90837270)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 文化人類学 / キリスト教 / イエズス会 / ミッション

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study explored Jesuit-led Christianization of indigenous population in Spanish South America of 17th to 18th centuries from documents such as dictionary (Spanish and native language), catechism and musical scores used in their missionary activities. Three types of research were carried out. (1) Collection of historical documents in various archives in North and South American countries. (2) Transcription and analysis of the documents. (3) Theoretical review. In (1) and (2), I conducted basic research on documents collected during archival research. In (3), while focusing on the literatures on missionary activities in Spanish America, I reviewed anthropological studies of Christianity and the Bible, and literacy studies to understand the inscription activities, including those of indigenous peoples.

Free Research Field

文化人類学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

南米の先住民社会は人格や関係性のあり方の点で他者性のきわだつ地域の一つとしてしばしば取り上げられてきた。しかし他者性を強調しすぎることにより、南米先住民もまた彼ら自身にとっての「他者」との出会いを通じた変容にさらされている事実や、彼ら彼女らをまなざす側もまた接触の過程で自らを変容させてきた事実が軽視されるおそれがある。
植民地期南米において先住民とそのキリスト教化に携わるイエズス会士がいかに交流し、双方がいかなる適応や変容を経験したのかを分析する本研究には、相手を変容させつつ同時に自己もまた変容する双方向的な過程を明らかにする点で、「他者性」をめぐる議論に新たな知見を提示する意義があった。