Comparative Studies in Culture and Transformation - Essay Example

Comparative Studies in Culture and Transformation al Affiliation Comparative Studies in Culture and Transformation The colonization of the Yucatan and the Caribbean people brought them in contact with the Maya and Taino, and that greatly influenced their cultural practices. Most of these groups particularly the weak ones such as the Taino underwent more cultural changes than others since they were totally submissive to the Spanish. This paper seeks to analyze the similarities and dissimilarities between the Spanish conquest and the colonization of Yucatan and Caribbean and the cultural changes that these groups underwent. Part 1: Similarities and Differences of the Spanish Conquest and the Colonization of Yucatan and Caribbean The Spanish colonization of both the Yucatan and Caribbean was in the operation of the Spanish conquistadores against the polities such as the central Yucatan and Postclassical Maya stares. There are various factors that facilitated the conquest of the Yucatan Maya and among them is its a politically fragmented state. Besides, Maya lacked appropriate and efficient weapons since the soldiers used arrows, bows, stones, spears, and padded cotton armor to fight the Spanish. Further, the various Old World diseases that were introduced by the Spanish such as plagues swept the Maya population thus weakening them. Both the Taino and the Maya become aggressive after the infiltration of the Spanish people in their territories since they felt that Spanish was interfering with their political systems that were governed by the societies (Shrimpton, 2009). The conquest of Yucatan and Caribbean started in the early 16th century and was very similar since it served as an augmentation for their quest for God and Gold. The Spanish conquered the Caribbean and Yucatan empires through supplanting most of the Indians nobles with a group of Spanish settlers. The colonization of the two empires imposed Catholic religion that is male dominated to be a typical military affair. Besides, when the two colonies were colonized they gradually become commercial enterprises while the Spaniards remained part of their colonial elite. It is, therefore, apparent that their major similarity was based on their functional source of searching for all the necessities that were required by these societies (Moreno-Estrada, et al., 2013). However, the initial Spanish conquest and the colonization of Yucatan and Caribbean was different in the fact that the Spanish succeeded in their quest since they enslaved the Caribbean native population. In Yucatan, the Spanish supplanted most of the Indian nobles that settled in the area with a bunch of Spanish settlers. However, the two methods were aimed at weakening the Caribbean and the Yucatan population in order to prevent them from rebelling against the Spanish. The two methods led to the colonization of the two empires. Part 2: Cultural Changes Endured During Colonization The colonization period of Caribbean, Yucatan, Taino and Maya by the Spanish exposed each group to various cultural changes that the countries endured. The embraced cultural changes had different impacts, outcomes and consequences to each country. Prior to colonization, the Maya people used stones to make their weapons. Further, the Mayan made and used padded cotton armors. Further, the Mayan people had myths and beliefs. They believed in gods to whom they offered sacrifices. Besides, Mayan people had a festival, music and dances that occurred on special occasions. For example, the All Souls Day Festival and All Saint’s Day festivals that are celebrated on 1st and 2nd of the month of November each year. Colonization has eroded most of the colonial practices of the Mayan people (McKercher, 2013). While discussing some of the changes that took place during the Spanish colonization, it is vital to mention some personalities whose contributions were significant in influencing the changes. Diego De Landa, who was a Spanish bishop of the Archdiocese of Yucatan, was one of the influential figures. His actions destroyed substantial history, traditions, and literature. De Landa participated actively in the conversion of Maya into a Christian community. Specifically, he brought in the faith of Christianity which caused the society to become spiritually monopolistic. People such as Bishop Toral also had influence in the changes in the Spanish colony. Specifically, he stopped the execution of the natives who were convicted of practicing their ancient rites in secret. His actions deterred the civilization of the Maya and affiliates communities. Economically, the colonized communities could borrow the shoemaking technique from Torres Mendel family that had the skill during the era (Fernandez-Armesto, 1990). Colonization has eroded some of the cultural practices that the Mayan people had. These practices include; the production of weapons and other equipment using stones, making of armors by the use of padded cotton and also belief in gods and other supernatural powers. The Mayan people also stopped offering sacrifices to their gods that were replaced by Christianity. There are, however, some cultural practices that Mayan people were able to continue practicing. The festivals, music, and dances are some of the cultural practices that are preserved. That is achieved through singing and dancing the traditional dances during various ceremonies. Further, there is a set day that the Mayan people celebrate their culture. The Taino people were hunters and gatherers also continued with their ceremonies songs and dances. That is achieved by singing and dancing to the traditional songs during various ceremonies. The continuation of these cultural practices is as a result of the emphasis that the two communities have on them. There are days set to celebrate these cultures. The Caribbean and Yucatan endured various cultural changes. Embracing of Christianity is a common cultural change that the two groups embraced. They stopped their traditional ways of worship and also beliefs. Besides, the two empires also embraced the modern technologies such that they stopped making stone tools and started using tools that are made of iron. Part 3: Comparison of the Cultural Behavior The Maya and the Spanish people share various cultural behaviors. One of them is the fact that they have special festivals, music, and dances seasonally. The Maya individuals maintain a strong link of the traditional rituals that occur throughout the year on special occasions. For example, the All Souls Day and All Saint’s Day festivals that are celebrated on every 1st and 2nd of the month of November. The Spanish people also have these festivals and fiestas such as the Christmas and Easter week (Fernandez-Armesto, 1990). Moreover, both the Maya and the Spanish people have a strong sense of the religion identity. In Maya, the people believe in gods and myths thus they build temples that are used as places of worship. There are various gods believed in the Maya such as Ah Puch who is believed to be a god of destruction and death, and Chac who is the god of rain. The Spanish people also have different religions such as the Rioja, Extremadura, Catholic, and Cantabria religions. There is a major blending culture of Taino and Spanish which is the introduction of the Catholic faith law. The Taino’s pagan religion was blended with the religion culture of the Spanish such that both the Taino and the Spanish people were entitled to the Catholic faith doctrines. This culture also abolished the slave trade culture that was being practiced by the Spanish people. In conclusion, the colonization of the Yucatan and Caribbean influenced their way of living. That is because some of the cultures that they used to practice were abolished while other new evolved from the contacts with the Spanish, Taino, and Maya. As a result, most of the cultures practiced by the five empires are similar. References Fernandez-Armesto, F. (1990). Ambivalent Conquests: Maya and Spaniard in Yucatan, 1517-1570 (Book). English Historical Review, 105(416), 728. McKercher, A. (2013). A Concise History of the Caribbean. Canadian Journal of History, 48(3), 543-544. Moreno-Estrada, A., Gravel, S., Zakharia, F., McCauley, J. L., Byrnes, J. K., Gignoux, C. R., & ... Martin, E. R. (2013). Reconstructing the Population Genetic History of the Caribbean. Plos Genetics, 9(11), 1-19. Doi:10.1371/journal.pgen.1003925 Shrimpton, M. (January 01, 2009). "El país que no se parece a otro": Negotiating literary representations of Yucatán in narrative texts from within and without the region. Caribbean Quarterly, 55, 1, 15-32. Read More