Latin American Originals

Nikolaus Federmann's Indian History

Peter Hess

• Publisher: Penn State University Press
• Year: 2021
• ISBN:
  9780271092249
• Topic: History
• Subtopic: Latin American & Caribbean History
• Index: History

Published in 1557, Nikolaus Federmann's Jndianische Historia is a fascinating narrative describing the German military commander's incursion into what is now Venezuela. Designed not only for classroom use but also for the use of scholars, this English translation is accompanied by a critical introduction that contextualizes Federmann's firsthand account within the broader Spanish colonial system.

Having gained the rights to colonize Venezuela from the Spanish Crown in 1528, the Welser merchant house of Augsburg, Germany, sent mercenaries, settlers, and miners to set up colonial structures. The venture never turned a profit, and operations ceased in 1546 after two Welser officials were murdered. Federmann's text gives an account of his foray into the interior of Venezuela in 1530–31. It describes violent first contact with Indigenous peoples as well as Federmann's communication strategies, how he managed to prevail in hostile terrain, and how he related to other agents of the conquests. It also documents his unwavering belief in the intrinsic preeminence of European Christians and, ultimately, in the righteousness of his mission.

The only detailed record of this incursion, Federmann's text adds a unique and important perspective to our understanding of first colonial contact on the Caribbean coast of South America. It provides insight into the first-contact dynamic, the techniques of subjugation and dominance, and the web of diverging interests among stakeholders. This volume will be a valuable resource for courses and for scholarship on conquest and colonialism in Latin America.

Table of contents

• COVER Front
• Copyright Page
• Table of CONTENTS
• ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
• Introduction
• Chapter 1: About the departure of Nikolaus Federmann the Younger from Spain to the Indies, and what he encountered on this journey. Also what he saw and learned about the islands, the peoples, their manners and customs,in what physical danger he and his people were in the process, and how much they endured until their arrival in the city of Coro. [A3r
• Chapter 2; How Nikolaus Federmann acted after his arrival in Coro in the absence of the Governor Ambrosius Dalfinger. Also with what reverence,splendid entry, and glory he, together with Hans Seissenhofer, received the returning governor mentioned above. [C2v
• Chapter 3: The beginning of Nikolaus Federmann’s journey from Coro in land, and what kind of organization and discipline he set up for his people on this journey. [C4r]
• Chapter 4: The Nation of the Jirajaras. [C4v] Of the nation Jirajara and their customs. Also how he was received with his people by the leaders of the land and by its inhabitants and honored with presents
• Chapter 5: The Nation of the Ayamanes. Of this nation’s nature, character, manners, and customs, and how they were liberated from fear, horror,and fright of the unfamiliar, never-before-seen, dressed, and bearded people and their horses through the friendliness and all sorts of presents from Nikolaus Federmann, etc., how they became subject to His Imperial Majesty, and how they gained and received a Christian name
• Chaper 6: The Nation of the Gayones. [F1r] How these Gayones were raided and turned into friends with presents. Who later absconded with the cacique or leader and congregated for an uprising and resistance. Who were raided a second time at night and taken away as prisoners with force,and their leader put into iron chains for breaking the peace. Also how inconstancy and distrust were avenged and repaid
• Chapter 7: The Nation of the Achagua. How this nation and people, fearing a quick raid by Nikolaus Federmann and his people, who they believed tobe more devils than humans, surrendered in obedience and friendship,and how they proved and showed this sufficiently (albeit forcibly) with the favor of presents of gold and offerings of all necessary provisions and other supplies.
• Chapter 8: The Nation of the Caquetíos. [G2r] This nation is populous and very combative, and it also has an abundance of gold. Using their own power, they forced all neighboring nations to move from the plains into the harsh mountains so that they own and inhabit the most beautiful, most level, and most fertile land. When the Christians arrived (who desired the friendship of the Caquetíos), they turned out to be hospitable, dedicating asubstantial amount of gold 112 without coercion (solely out of curiosity to see these unknown people, the Christians
• Chapter 9: The Nation of the Cuibas. In what danger the Christians, after suffering hunger for a long time, reached the first village of this nation thatuses poisoned arrows against their enemies, attacked it to their advantage, and won a hard-fought victory in battle against them. How they were forced to run up to a second village, where the inhabitants were hiding out of fear of the prior battle, locked themselves into a house, left precious pieces of gold and also food items outside on the path, believing that they could please and divert us. As they could not force the Christians to withdraw,they were finally persuaded to engage in friendship and submission, which caused the entire nation to become obedient
• Chapter 10: The Nation of the Coyones. How the first village of this nation that was raided by the Christians showed a strong and serious defense,from which the Christians suffered injury. After they did not want toaccept the offered peace and friendship, nor wanted to hear about it, the Christians, against their intentions, were forced to act against the Coyones as serious and hostile enemies by burning their houses and engaging ina bloody battle, in order to avoid harm and humiliation for themselves. As a consequence, six hundred of them were captured, but their nation remained undefeated so that the Christians had to accept a different path to continue their planned journey
• Chapter 11: The Nation of the Guaiqueríes. Of the coal-black, proud,brash, and evil people of this nation, what aggressiveness, defiance, and faithlessness they proved to the Christians, who also attacked the mtraitorously, which, however, turned into a great disadvantage for them. How the cacique or leader was captured and shot to death after a long interrogation under torture (in order to find out about his betrayal andsecret assault on the Christians) and how after that five hundred of the assembled people were slain. Furthermore, how a cacique of a different village was kept a captive forged in chains (because of his deception) andled away with others. Also how the Christians were betrayed cunningly by athird cacique who got away with his people because o
• Chapter 12: The Nation of the Caquetíos. Of this populous, beautiful province of the Caquetíos. Of the size of their villages, number of inhabitants, men usable for war, their well-proportioned bodies, and the beauty of their women. How the Christians moved through it, encountering
• Chapter 13: The Nation of the Ciparicotos. How the Christians intended to travel through this nation and were led astray by the captive guides andleaders into a wilderness and thicket with the intention of making them die of hunger so that they would avenge and vindicate their captivity and the death of their slain people. Also how the Christians, when they discovered the deception, had three165 of them chopped up to induce fear and terror in the others, where up on the others steadfastly stayed with their planand rather wanted to die with their own than being prisoners. And what hunger the Christians faced so that they all nearly perished because of starvation, whereupon they ate a captured jaguar for the sustenance of their lives, until they reached a village a
• Chapter 14: Return from the back country to Coro
• Chapter 15: Return to Spain from Coro
• Chapter 16: Return to Augsburg from Spain. [Q3v]
• BIBLIOGRAPHY
• INDEX