Maestros de la navegación: el dominio técnico de la movilidad fluvial en el mundo andino

Abstract

The objective of present article is to discuss the conventional dichotomous view which distinguishes between tradi­tional knowledge and scientific knowledge by providing a comprehensive picture of the complex techniques used to sail the rivers in the Andean world. The materials, fools and navigation practices used by indigenous are described right away, and the author tries to make the tacit knowledge rooted in this technical culture visible. Afterward, it works explains how the early Spanish tech­nologies was adapted in the American context and shows that the use of the indigenous navigation techniques was a crucial factor for the success of the European domination project. It argues that when considering the mutual flows of knowledge and the technological hybridizations arising from the encounter between both civilizations, it cannot be justified the inferiorization of traditional knowledge with respect to scientific knowledge.