La «esclavitud» de los sentimientos: Vida familiar y afectiva de la población esclava en el nororiente del Nuevo Reino de Granada, 1720-1819

Abstract

Even on top of the established rules in the Nuevo Reino de Granada, the possibility of slaves establishing loving relationships or marrying always depended on the will and interests of the masters. Contact with free people brought certain complications to the slaves, but it also opened up greater opportunities for their emotional lives. The outlook for the slaves' family was not more encouraging. Trade dynamics, the manumission and other forms of slaves circulation represented a constant threat to the unity of these blood communities. There were many efforts and repeated pleas by those affected crying out for better conditions for a more stable emotional life.