Encomendero was a colonist who had authority over Indians who were forced to farm the land or work in mines; this person was expected to protect and Christianize the Indians in exchange for tribute (such as a share of crops)
Hacienda is a large colonial estate made up of multiple plots of land. These could be very large and could consist of thousands and even millions of acres of land.
Cochineal is a red dye obtained from the dried bodies of insects
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Indigo is a blue dye obtained from a plant also known as indigo.
Bartolome' de las Casas was a Spaniard that was an encomendero. Shocked by the brutal treatment of the natives, he gave up his encomienda and became a Dominican friar.
Friar comes from the Latin word “frater” meaning “brother”. In the late Middle Ages, some men chose to join religious orders that moved about and were devoted to teaching and serving the poor
Encomienda is from a Spanish word meaning “entrust”; the Spanish crown officially gave the colonists the authority over all of the Indians who lived in a region.
