public spheres and the promise of divine justice
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Clothing, customs, and conversation were not merely private matters for Moriscos in Spanish America. They made their religiosity visible, exposing them to public scrutiny and accusations of heresy. These practices were deeply tied to colonial anxieties about bloodlines, religious orthodoxy, and the influence on Indigenous peoples.
Private faith often manifested in culturally significant behaviors that, intentionally or not, became public. As inquisitorial records show, while Moriscos secretly maintained Islamic prayers, their adherence to customs made their hidden faith apparent. This outward observance had legal and social implications, as maintaining religious orthodoxy was central to the colonial project.
Sotomayor’s accusations against Catalina de Ibiza highlight the perceived threat of non-Christian practices. He viewed Indigenous peoples as needing guidance toward proper Catholicism, while Catalina’s behavior undermined such efforts. His concerns reflect a broader fear of religious and cultural contamination, rooted in anxieties about bloodlines, purity, and control.
The aljamiado manuscript’s depiction of the Prophet as an intercessor on the Day of Judgment would have been especially comforting to Moriscos. In the face of Christian oppression, the promise of divine justice and mercy offered them hope and solace amid harsh realities.