1638 Tipu rebellion

1638 Tipu rebellion
1638 revolt of Maya reducción settlements in the Bacalar district
Night Scene from the Inquisition / 1810 oil on canvas by F. Goya / via Google
DateJune 1638 (1638-06) – December 1638 (1638-12)
Location
17°04′47″N 89°04′48″W / 17.07967653461554°N 89.07995945199652°W / 17.07967653461554; -89.07995945199652
Caused by
  • Maya prophecies regarding the start of k'atun 1 ahaw
  • discontent regarding civil and religious requirements under encomienda
  • Anglo-Dutch piratical raids
Goals
  • expulsion of Spanish friars and encomenderos
  • freedom of movement
  • freedom of conscience
Methods
  • desertion of reducción or encomienda settlements
  • threats of force
Resulted in
  • collapse of Spanish control over the district of Bacalar
  • relocation of Bacalar
Parties
Lead figures
  • Batab of Tipu
  • Kan Ek' of Peten Itza
  • Pedro Noh (a batab)
  • Francisco Yam (batab)
  • Luis Kinil (batab)
  • Pedro Noh (batab)
  • Gaspar Chuc (captain)
  • Gaspar Puc (alcalde)
  • Andrés Uxul
  • Diego Zapata de Cárdenas (governor)
  • Luis Sánchez de Aguilar (alcalde)
  • Gregorio Marín de Aguilar (friar)
  • Francisco Sánchez de la Seña (alférez mayor)
  • Cristóbal Delgado (regidor)
  • Bartolomé Gómez de Santoyo (regidor)
  • Juan Martín de los Cedros (scribe)
Number
c. 300 families (Maya)
  • c. 50 vecinos (Spanish)
  • < 150 families (Maya)
Casualties and losses
Death(s)1 friar (of illness)
Injuries
  • 9 to 10 Mayas (tortured)
  • > 80 Maya children and adults (whipped)
Arrested9 to 10 Mayas
Damage3 to 8 hamlets burnt (by residents)
Detained
  • > 80 Maya children and adults
  • 2 Franciscan friars + 1 Maya guide

The 1638 Tipu rebellion was a widespread revolt of Maya residents in the municipio or district of Bacalar in the second half of 1638. Led by Tipu, a pre-Columbian town and the most significant reducción or encomienda settlement in the district, it resulted in the removal of Bacalar and subsequent collapse of Spanish power in the region, leading to a 57-year revival of the Postclassic state of Dzuluinicob, of which Tipu had been capital.[note 1][note 2]
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