Asiáticos en Lima a principios del siglo XVII

Abstract

This essay presents the socio-economic characteristics of Portuguese immigrants of Chinese, Japanese and Indian background who lived in Lima around 1613. The supporting documentation used is the Census of Indians produced by the order of the Viceroy of Peru, the Marquis de Montescarlos. The census documents the characteristics of all of the indigenous people living in the city, but gives very little consideration of the historiographical characteristics of Asians who were registered in the census. This article provides historiographical balance on the issue and the context of production of the census. The information recorded in the census of all Asians living in the city is presented in a table based on the following criteria: name, age, occupation, social status, length of residence, place of residence and family composition. This methodology will enable analysis on transpacific routes that would have facilitated the entry of Asians into Lima and the inclusion/social segregation processes that they experienced in the early colonial city. Finally, we offer a brief comparison to the case of New Spain with special consideration of the social status of Asian immigrants based on the occupations they undertook in the City of Kings.