Sharay Rapozo

October 13, 2017

HSTLAC 185 A
Book Review
Convents & Colonies

Colonial Habits: Convents and the Spiritual Economy of Cuzco, Peru by Kathryn Burns

offers a new perspective to a male-centric telling of history. Historians have relentlessly

exploited the mighty men who “found” the New World. Through the words of Burns, we

discover the shockingly essential roles of convents in the Peru. Through Burns’ presentation of

her research, readers learn to understand how nuns helped in shaping the socio-economic norms

of Cuzco. In her work, Colonial Habits, Kathryn Burns is successful in portraying the

significance of cloistered women in the shaping of colonial Cuzco through her excellent use of

sources and explanations.

Throughout her work, Burns explores the history of three significant convents in Peru.

The convents were known as Santa Clara, Santa Catalina, and Santa Theresa. The convents were

used as a solution to help mestiza daughters to learn the proper ways in order to transition into

the Spanish Christian culture. Furthermore, the convents were essential to the economic structure

of Cuzco. The monasteries started a credit system within their respective districts, allowing

citizens to take out loans for various endeavors. The credit system, although once successful and

prosperous, ultimately did not work as well as initially hoped. However, the convents were

viewed highly in the strongly religion-based society of the New World. That is until

republicanism made its way to Peru. Try as they might, the convents did not prosper as well as

they had before republicanism. The monasteries’ populations quickly dwindled as new programs

took on some of the responsibilities of the monasteries. The convents no longer held the high

importance they once had, as demonstrated in the following quote: “… the amount of contact
between the nuns of Cuzco and secular people was much reduced. So, too, was the convent’s

significance in the lives of the city’s people” (Burns, 1999, p. 210). The convents rapidly lost

the high power they once held in Cuzco.

Burns offers an intense amount of details that should be applauded. It is evident that

Burns put forth great effort in order to acquire the most accurate information to be included in

her book. Throughout the book, Burns makes references to her own research that she has done

for this project. Burns elaborates in the findings of her study especially in the introduction, “… I

began research in 1988-90… I eventually found answers to my questions, and along the way

located fascinating traces of the lives of hundreds of nuns” (Burns, 1999, p. 4-5). The author

herself went to the place that started it all in order to gain factual knowledge (Burns, 1999, p.4-

5). Burns used a plethora of useful primary sources. For example, when recounting the history

of the Santa Catalina monastery, Burns uses journal entries from an unidentified nun to piece

together the exact situation (Burns, 1999, p. 73, 77, 83-84). Burns also provides information

from old records to further explain the economic condition at various points of times (Burns,

1999, p.140, 142). The amount of information given by Burns allows the readers to gain a better

understanding of life in Cuzco during the colonial period. The research and dedication that Burns

put into her work are truly appreciated by any reader.

Burns was able to incorporate her research, primary, and secondary sources to address

her argument in a unique format. The book is broken into parts, consisting of several chapters;

the chapters are further broken down into segments and finish with conclusions drawn by the

author. The portions of the chapters lay out all of the information on the given topic of the said

chapter. In the conclusions of each chapter, Burns summarizes the information, as well as

provide some brief insight into her research if applicable. Burns also uses the conclusions of the
chapters to offer further analysis on the topic, often phrasing a question to which she answers

immediately with an additional explanation. In this format, Burns organizes all of her collected

data into a concise, understandable manner. This arrangement also breaks the mold of historical

tellings and is unlike a history textbook. Colonial Habits is the hybrid between a researcher’s

journey and a history lesson. Not only does Burns offer historical information about the nuns and

their role in society, but she also provides her own experience in getting said information. The

format Burns chose keeps the audience interested, and involved with the subject matter.

Burns presents the information she gathered in a comprehensible approach that combines

data, culture, and reflection. The style in which Burns writes does not bore readers. Burns keeps

readers intrigued by integrating anecdotes of several different people. By providing these

anecdotes, the audience is able to better envision how life in Cuzco went about. These true

stories put real people behind the information Burns gave. The audience is not just being told

what happened but is also able to see how and why the norms happened the way they did.

Moreover, the anecdotes gave examples of several exceptions to the standards of Cuzco. The

anecdotes are a welcomed addition to Burns’ work as a whole.

In Colonial Habits: Convents and the Spiritual Economy of Cuzco, Peru Kathryn Burns

took it upon herself to explore the unknown side of history. She stayed away from the rough and

tough conquerors to focus on the more hidden women of convents. This particular work is

suitable for anyone who wishes to gain more in-depth knowledge on the subject of colonial life

in Peru. It is suggested for those who, like many, are unaware of the religion-driven economy

prevalent in Cuzco at the time. Overall, this book is highly recommended for those who are open

to learning more about the relationship between religion, economy, society, and culture in

colonial Cuzco.
 References

Burns, K. (1999). Colonial Habits: Convents and the Spiritual Economy of Cuzco, Peru.

Durham, NC: Duke University Press.