"Reduction" of the Marianas: Resettlement into Villages Under the Spanish (1680-1731)

Hezel, Francis X. (2021). [www.micsem.org "Reduction" of the Marianas: Resettlement into Villages Under the Spanish (1680-1731)]. Micronesian Counselor (Report). Kolonia, Pohnpei: Micronesian Seminar. pp. 1–58.

• Has attachment: File:KH48IB4V.pdf

Abstract: The resettlement of the Chamoru people into a few select villages was not the most exciting part of the early Spanish period. It isn’t a compelling tale of mortal combat, long sieges, crafty maneuvers and noble speeches such as we find during the years of open conflict between islanders and those who took the side of the Spanish. But the early resettlement is not just a historical after-thought. It could be viewed as the confirmation of the colonial influence that Spain would retain over the Marianas for the following two centuries. In addition, it offers a clear view of the early changes in the cultural landscape of the islands. If we look hard enough at this period, we can also get a glimpse of the way in which islanders repackaged important parts of their culture that they would carry into their colonial future. This is certainly not intended to be the last word on the Spanish resettlement, but I hope that it will provide useful material for those who write on this subject in the future. Let me add my own wish that more students of island history might focus on the resettlement. There is still a great deal to be learned. My thanks to David Atienza and Carlos Madrid for their assistance in steering me to valuable materials and in critiquing earlier drafts of this study. Ron and Mary Castro provided the important help in enhancing illustrations and laying out the booklet that I could have never managed on my own. Honora Tenorio of the Northern Marianas Humanities Council always answered my calls for assistance along the way. Without her and the support of the Northern Marianas Humanities Council, the organization that provided much of our funding, this work would have never made it into print.