LOS LUNES EN LA PLAZA: SOBRE EL SERVICIO DE MITA EN LA PLATA, CHARCAS (SIGLOS XVI-XVII)

Abstract

Far from being reduced to its mining version, the colonial mita knew different modalities. The start point of this work is the inherent diversity of this labor system. It argues that the study of the urban mita is essential to understand the complexity of the mitayo experience, as well as that of coercive colonial labor in its broadest sense, even though mita was not considered unfree labor at the time. The development of the reflection proposes to look closely at three aspects. On the one hand, the effect of the scarce historiographic treatment that the subject has received until today and that prevents a full understanding of the labor system in question. On the other hand, the regulated specificities of the institution and its practical reality in the jurisdiction of La Plata, Charcas, linked to other contemporary labor systems such as slavery and yanaconazgo. The approach is an invitation to future comparative agendas. Finally, the verification of certain ambiguities and terminological lapses when referring to mita, and the relevance of dwelling on them, as well as expanding the horizon of analysis beyond the person of the adult male worker.