Testerian catechisms

The Testerian catechisms (Spanish: Catecismos testerianos) were religious documents that were used in the Christian evangelization of the Spanish American colony of New Spain. They explain Catholic doctrine through sequential images based on indigenous conventions used prior to the Conquest of Mexico and the introduction of the Latin alphabet to write the indigenous languages of Mesoamerica.[1][2][3] These documents were an attempt at educational materials for Christians who were either not literate in Spanish, or unfamiliar with the aboriginal languages then spoken in the territory that is now Mexico. They were named after Jacobo of Testera, a Franciscan friar who elaborated catechisms of this type.[4]

Testerian catechism, c. 1524. Centre of Studies of History of Mexico Carso
Page from the Catecismo Testerino (circa 1700s) manuscript codex at the John Carter Brown Library

Context

The missionaries who participated in the evangelization of the American continents looked for ways to transmit the new doctrine.[1] Native Mesoamerican images and documents were subject to destruction, as they were considered idolatric materials, but were tolerated when used in a Christian religious context. Theatrical performances, music, architecture, public sermons, and other types of media supported the new religious precepts.[5] The Testerian catechisms were used to transmit the Ten Commandments and prayers like the Lord's Prayer and the Hail Mary.[1]

References
  1. Morín González, Aidé (2005). "Catecismo testeriano: una lectura de evangelización" (PDF). XVIII Encuentro de Investigadores del Pensamiento Novohispano. Retrieved 2015-12-11.
  2. "Catecismo Testeriano". bdmx.mx. Retrieved 2015-12-12.
  3. María, Fundación Santa; Criado, Buenaventura Delgado (1993-01-01). Historia de la educación en España y América (in Spanish). Ediciones Morata. ISBN 9788471123763.
  4. Tesoros de papel: documentos del Centro de Estudios de Historia de México Condumex (in Spanish). Museo Soumaya. 2006-01-01. ISBN 9789687794334.
  5. Gruzinski, Serge (1991-01-01). La colonización de lo imaginario: Sociedades indígenas y occidentalización en el México español: siglos xvi-xviii (in Spanish). Fondo de Cultura Económica. ISBN 9789681636296.
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