Pames, Jonaces, and Franciscans in the Sierra Gorda: Mecos and Missionaries

Robert H. Jackson's work, 'Pames, Jonaces, and Franciscans in the Sierra Gorda: Mecos and Missionaries,' offers a nuanced exploration of two centuries of interaction between Franciscan missionaries and the Pames and Jonaces, indigenous Chichimeca groups in Mexico's Sierra Gorda region. The study adopts a mission history and historical demography approach, focusing on the establishment and demographic impact of missions while also examining the transformation of sacred landscapes and native ways of life. Jackson contrasts his findings with earlier mission models from Michoacán and Oaxaca, revealing how missions were superimposed onto pre-Hispanic political structures. While the primary emphasis lies on mission buildings and congregations, the work provides valuable insights into the power dynamics between colonizers and indigenous populations during this period.

Rangel Silva, J. A. (2018). Pames, Jonaces, and Franciscans in the Sierra Gorda: Mecos and Missionaries. Hispanic American Historical Review, 98(3), 513–514. https://doi.org/10.1215/00182168-6933644