History of libraries in Latin America
The history of libraries in Latin America dates back to before the conquest of the continent by the Spanish. Although the indigenous peoples of Mexico, Central America, and South America had developed a written language and, in some cases, created libraries and record depositories of their own, library history of the continent tends to focus on post-conquest institutions. This article will discuss the history of libraries in Latin America.
Mexico and Central America
Pre-Conquest
The
Maya Libraries
During the Golden Period of Maya Civilization also called the Classic Period (250–900 AD), the Maya were believed to have large libraries filled with books.[4] By the end of the Maya Classic Period it is assumed that Maya libraries housed thousands of books, written on bark paper or deer skin.[5] These libraries contained codices that covered important subjects such as genealogy, astronomy, rituals, information about plants and animals, medical knowledge, and history.[6]
Aztec/Mexica' Records
It was said that the Aztec city of
Post-Conquest to 1600
The Spanish arrival meant that preexisting Mesoamerican books and libraries were destroyed by conquistadores and missionaries.[3] Only 15 codices survived after 1521; these include the Borgia codex, the Vatican B codex, and the Tro-Cortesiano codex.[3] However, codices were slow to die out; Spanish-language, bilingual, and indigenous-language codices continued to be produced, with the list of materials changing to include paper and the subjects focusing on the Christian religion and tribute to colonial administrators.[3] One such example is the Codex Mendoza; it contains ethnography of the Aztecs with a commentary by Spanish priests and was created in 1541 as a gift for Charles V of Spain.[12] The first Mexican printing press was established in 1539 by Juan Pablos[13] The first book published in the Western hemisphere was Doctrina breve, written by Juan de Zumárraga, the first archbishop of Mexico.[14] It was printed in Tenochtitlan, what is called Mexico City today, in 1539.[14] Due to the lack of widespread Spanish literacy, most printed items were stored in the library of the university of Mexico City or in the private libraries of clergy, noblemen, and government officials.[15] In 1646 the oldest public library in Americas, Biblioteca Palafoxiana, was established in the Mexican state of Puebla.[16] Born in 1648, Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz was one of the intellectuals of Mexico during the late 17th century.[17] The Carmelite nun used a 4,000-volume library established by her grandfather to further her education; she corresponded with Sir Isaac Newton and was also renowned for her skill in poetry.[18] Unfortunately, Sor Juana became embroiled in a battle with Church politics in 1690; although she passionately defended the right of women to an education, she was banned from writing and her library in 1691, dying four years later.[19]
South America
The Andes
Pre-Conquest
The Inca Empire had developed a complex system of knots, called Quipu, used to record information; whether this could be considered a writing system, and collections of quipu libraries, is debated.[1]
Post-Conquest
As with Mexico and Central America, printing was slow to arrive to the Andes. Quito, Ecuador, obtained its first Spanish press in 1760.[13] As with the other colonies in Mexico and Central America, many printed materials found their way to the library of the University of Lima.[15]
Brazil
Post-Conquest
Prior to the mid-18th century, printing was strictly prohibited in Brazil due to its status as an agricultural colony.[20]
The
References
- ^ ISBN 978-0-19-967941-6.
- ISBN 978-0-19-967941-6.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-19-967941-6.
- OCLC 1005933447.)
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link - OCLC 438712074.
- ^ OCLC 857089276.
- ^ "Cortés and the Aztecs - Exploring the Early Americas | Exhibitions - Library of Congress". www.loc.gov. 2007-12-12. Retrieved 2020-04-20.
- ^ "Basic Aztec facts: AZTEC BOOKS". www.mexicolore.co.uk. Retrieved 2020-04-20.
- ^ )
- ^ Collections, Special. "Tarlton Law Library: Exhibit - Aztec and Maya Law: Aztec Legal System and Sources of Law". tarlton.law.utexas.edu. Retrieved 2020-04-20.
- OCLC 857089276.
- ISBN 978-1-60606-083-4.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-19-967941-6.
- ^ a b Murray, Stuart (2009). Library: An Illustrated History. Skyhorse Publishing. p. 136.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-19-967941-6.
- ^ "Biblioteca Palafoxiana" (PDF). UNESCO Biblioteca Palafoxiana.
- ISBN 9781616084530.
- ISBN 978-1-60239-706-4.
- ISBN 978-1-60239-706-4.
- ISBN 978-0-19-967941-6.
- ISBN 978-1-60239-706-4.
- ISBN 978-1-60239-706-4.
- ISBN 978-1-60239-706-4.