Íñigo Abbad y Lasierra

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Viage a la America

Íñigo Abbad y Lasierra (* 19th June 1743 and 19th April 1745 in Estadilla , Spain ; † 24. October 1813 in Valencia ) was a Benedictine , bishop of Barbastro and wrote the first comprehensive account of the history , nationality and culture of Puerto Rico .

Life

Abbad studied philosophy in Saragossa and entered the Benedictine order . In 1771, at the age of 26 , he came to the island as personal secretary to the Bishop of the Diocese of Puerto Rico, Manuel Jiménez Pérez . From 1772 to 1778 he visited many cities as part of his church duties. He also attended as a companion of Jiménez Pérez Cumana to Isla Margarita , Nueva Barcelona , the Orinoco , Trinidad and Venezuela . During this trip he kept a diary entitled Viage a la América (Journey to America). The book was published in 1974 in Caracas by the Banco Nacional de Ahorro y Préstamo (National Credit and Savings Bank) as a facsimile .

While living on the island, Abbad observed and documented Puerto Rican life every day. In 1788, ten years after he had left Puerto Rico, he published the first comprehensive history of Puerto Rico under the title Historia geográfica, civil y natural de la isla de San Juan Bautista de Puerto Rico (Geographical, civil and natural history of Puerto Rico, the island John the Baptist ). In his book, he detailed many aspects of Puerto Rican life. Topics include the fortresses of San Juan , the customs of the Taínos, as well as the history, society, clothing, flora, fauna, socio-economic peculiarities and personality of Puerto Rico. He also addresses several reforms such as free trade and the promotion of agriculture and other industries. Although Abbad's book is the most complete historical account of the period from 1493 to 1783, it should be noted that many of the historical accounts are second-hand.

After returning to Spain, he became General Procurator of the Benedictines at the royal court. Charles III appointed him infuled abbot of Besalú . On June 21, 1790 he was appointed Bishop of Barbastro and received episcopal ordination on August 8, 1790 by the Archbishop of Toledo , Francisco Antonio de Lorenzana y Butrón ; Co- consecrators were the Bishop of Astorga , Manuel Abad Lasierra and Jose Martinez Palomino y Lopez de Lorena , Bishop Emeritus of Chiapas .

meaning

The earliest known reference to the traditional musical instrument Güiro can be found in Abbad's writings. He described the güiro as one of the instruments (alongside maracas , tambourines and guitars) with which dancers are accompanied.

In 1785 Abbad wrote Relación de la Florida , a description of the Spanish presence in Florida from its discovery by Juan Ponce de León to the establishment of French and British colonies.

Works

  • Diario del viaje a America (1772–1778)
  • Relacion de la Florida (1785)
  • Historia geográfica, civil y natural de la Isla de San Juan Bautista de Puerto Rico (1788)

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Abbad y Lasierra, Íñigo
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Abad Lasierra, Agustín Iñigo
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Spanish Benedictine and author of the first historical account of Puerto Rico
DATE OF BIRTH June 19, 1743 or April 19, 1745
PLACE OF BIRTH Estadilla , Spain
DATE OF DEATH October 24, 1813
Place of death Valencia