Linda Newson, a lecturer in geography at King’s College in London, states that “the aim of this book is to study the demographic and cultural changes experienced by Indians in Honduras during the colonial period” (p. 10). She divides the work into three main parts: pre-Columbian societies; the natives during the Spanish conquest, 1522-50; and Indian life under the colonial system, 1550-1821. Throughout there is strong emphasis on the economic aspects of Indian society.
As Newson points out, two distinct development patterns emerged in the areas within the boundaries of modern Honduras. Central and western regions attracted Spanish attention because of their mineral wealth and sizable native populations, desirable for their tribute and labor potential. Eastern Honduras, however, was largely neglected for most of the three centuries of Spanish occupation because of its relatively sparse numbers of Indians and the absence of ready mineral wealth. Eventually, in the eighteenth century, in reaction to English encroachments, the Spaniards seriously undertook colonization of the eastern zone. Even so, most of the effort was made by Spanish missionaries, and it was with them and with the continuing English presence that the natives had to contend. Although the Indian population during the colonial period fell by more than 90 percent, by the end of that time almost 90 percent of the remaining natives in eastern Honduras remained out of Spanish control. The population decline was consequently more serious in the western and central regions.
An impressive amount of original documentation from Spanish and Central American archives forms the basis of this study. The author presents a wealth of information on a variety of topics, including sociopolitical organizations, ideologies of various aboriginal groups, temperatures, rainfall, and flora and fauna, among other subjects. All this makes the work a valuable reference, although the profusion of detail sometimes makes for heavy going. Noteworthy are the many good maps, tables, and figures. This is clearly a work for advanced students and, considering the paucity of serious research on Honduras, it will be recognized as a valuable contribution. For investigations of the colonial period it is essential.
