Capuchin Mission and Tentehar Resistance: Rereadings of the Conflict of Alto Alegre

Abstract

The article analyzes the genesis, power relations and social impacts of the indigenous mission of the Capuchin Friars Minor in the Republican Maranhão State, from the perspective of the conflict and the indigenous resistance movement that destroyed the Colônia de Alto Alegre and its boarding school for Indian girls. A theoretical-methodological line was adopted that reconstructs analytically testimonies and archival documentation as they are investigated from the perspective of the indicative paradigm and placed in dialogue with various studies. There is emphasis on sociological, anthropological and historical works. The results show that the conflicting relations between indigenous people and missionaries, contrary to the catechesis and civilization project of the nations of origin, have generated very positive sociopolitical consequences for the Tentehar people.