The Power of Huacas: Change and Resistance in the Andean World of Colonial Peru

Claudia Brosseder's monograph reveals the enduring influence of Andean religious practices, particularly those centered around huacas (sacred objects), during colonial Peru. It highlights how these practices evolved and resisted European influences, shifting from soul-saving concerns to demonic and social harmony-related persecutions by the 18th century. Brosseder's analysis, drawing on idolatry proceedings and interactions with Jesuits, explores themes like mountain worship, fertility rituals involving conopas (stone figurines), and the significance of color, stone, and toads. Her work situates Andean beliefs within the broader context of Enlightenment ideas and the discourse on magic, distinguishing between creole Catholic, Andean Christian, and indigenous practices. While it lacks depth on ancestor worship and occasionally broadens the definition of huaca, this meticulously documented study offers profound insights that surpass existing literature on Andean religions.

Ramirez, S. E. (2015). The Power of Huacas: Change and Resistance in the Andean World of Colonial Peru. Hispanic American Historical Review, 95(3), 514–515. https://doi.org/10.1215/00182168-3088704