The study of Indigenous rebelliousness according to Severo Martínez Peláez

Abstract

This article discusses certain aspects of the legacy left by Martínez Peláez regarding research into Indian rebelliousness. It also examines some of the historiographical and political repercussions of Motines de indios. La violencia colonial en Centroamérica y Chiapas, his unfinished work on the matter. The historical conditions and the intellectual and political environment that surrounded the writing of the book, as well as the intellectual itinerary of the author (shown to be related to his ideas about Indians), must be explored in order to fully understand the significance of this text and to take advantage of the methodological, theoretical and political proposals that it offers. Still more importantly, it must be understood that Martínez Peláez concerned himself with the history of the Indians and of their struggles because of his certainty that this knowledge could impact the awareness of the exploited in a manner that would favor friendship, solidarity and unity among them. His work grew from that interest. Hence he sought to define the character of the riots and their relationship with the Guatemalan revolution of the early eighties of the twentieth century.