from what i've read about the conquistadors in south america i think
they were savage to the "alpha" indigenous people who put up resistance
but were considered as a god send by the "b" and "c" tribes who
suffered under them. some tribes subservient to the aztec were treated
more or less as a "crop" to be harvested when ever blood sacrifice was
required for an up-coming religious festival.
re music - i think the delicate sound of a vihuela would bring anyone
around, especially if it - or any other stringed instrument - had never
been heard before.
anyone care to speculate about the various tunings that are found in
south america?
the people who first exposed western music and musical instruments to
the south americans were "folks" such as sailors, soldiers, rustic
priests and farmers. i don't imagine there's much documentation on
what music they played or how they played it, but should the vihuela or
charango tuning and it's subsequent variations be considered as imports
or do you think they evolved in the new world?
regards - bill
