Encomienda (en. Commission)
/en.ko.mi.en.da/
Meaning & Definition
EnglishSpanish
noun
Colonial institution where a person was granted the right to receive tribute and labor from Indigenous people.
The encomienda was a mechanism of social control during the colonial period.
La encomienda fue un mecanismo de control social durante el periodo colonial.
Obligation of the encomendero to evangelize the Indigenous people under their care.
The encomendero had the duty to teach the Christian faith to the natives.
El encomendero debía cumplir con su deber de enseñar la fe cristiana a los nativos.
Etymology
From Latin 'commenda', meaning 'assignment' or 'mandate'.
Common Phrases and Expressions
to give in charge
to hand something over to someone for them to care for or manage.
dar en encomienda
Related Words
encomendero
Person who had the right to receive tribute and labor in the encomienda system.
encomendero
mestizaje
Process of mixing between Indigenous and European races.
mestizaje
colonization
Process of establishing political, economic, and cultural control over a territory.
colonización
Slang Meanings
To send something to someone for them to take charge of it.
I am going to entrust you with this package to take it to the office.
Voy a encomendarte este paquete para que lo lleves a la oficina.
To trust someone to carry out a task.
I entrust you with organizing the event.
Te encomiendo la organización del evento.