La Mala Fe Potorera. Apóstatas, donecillos y dinámicas étnicas en Chiquitos

Abstract

Though the expulsion of the Jesuits in 1767 made a strong impact in the history of Chiquitanía region, it certainly did not stop the homogenization and “chiquitanization” processes the missionaries started, which can be even tracked until before the Jesuit presence. Nevertheless, Zamuco-speaking groups which remained living in the forests of Chiquitanía until the beginning of 20^th century are often presented as “preserved” from this homogenizing influence. This paper, on the contrary, shows that missionary impact was much more stronger among the Zamuco than generally admitted. In fact, it produced both “ethnogenetic” processes and the reconfiguration of ethnic groups, fostering new forms of the “socio-peripheric dependence” described by B. Susnik. Therefore, the Zamuco-speaking Potoreras of late 18^th century allow to rethink simplistic and almost absurd approaches to the history of the current Ayoreode of Eastern Bolivia.