cacique

chief

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June 22, 2026

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A cacique was an Indigenous chief in areas influenced by Spanish culture. The term originated from the Taino language and was adopted by Spanish conquistadors to refer to tribal heads or district governors.12

In Spanish America, the Spanish retained caciques as hereditary leaders within Indigenous communities. These leaders were responsible for minor judicial duties, organizing labor, and collecting tribute. The concept of caciquism refers to the rule of these local chiefs or bosses, who have historically played a significant role in Latin American and Spanish politics. The term later gained a stronger connotation of political bossism in Spain.2

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history of Latin America
Indians and Spaniards
Their ruler was called a cacique, and the Spaniards adopted the word and carried it with them wherever they went in the Americas. The cacique received labour but not tribute in kind, and the encomendero, in practice, followed suit.
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Their ruler was called a cacique, and the Spaniards adopted the word and carried it with them wherever they went in the Americas. The cacique received labour but not tribute in kind, and the encomendero, in practice, followed suit.
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Mapuche
History through the 18th century
…a chief (often called a cacique by Spanish colonial authorities) whose authority did not generally extend beyond his own village. The Mapuche cultivated corn (maize), beans, squash, potatoes, chili peppers, and other vegetables and fished, hunted, and kept guinea pigs for meat. They kept llamas as pack animals and as…
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…a chief (often called a cacique by Spanish colonial authorities) whose authority did not generally extend beyond his own village. The Mapuche cultivated corn (maize), beans, squash, potatoes, chili peppers, and other vegetables and fished, hunted, and kept guinea pigs for meat. They kept llamas as pack animals and as…
Read More

caciquism
…local chiefs or bosses (caciques). As a class, these leaders have often played a key role in their countries’ political structure.
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…local chiefs or bosses (caciques). As a class, these leaders have often played a key role in their countries’ political structure.
Read More