Militiasthe TransformationIt1tCultural U Boundaries in Yucatan, 1790-182U

This paper seeks ro inrerpret the transforma- tion of institutionalized cultural disrinctions and caregories produced in the context of the polirical changes ja the early l9th century as a redefinition of cultural boundaries (or limas). The example of the brown militia ja Yucatan is used ro study the establishment of the cate- gories of "citizens" and "Spaniards," introduced by rhe Constitution of Cadiz. An analysis of local negoriations and everyday practices shows thar both the interpretation and the actual use of these caregories depended largely on the situation in siru. Therefore, in additjon to conrriburing ro the study of rhe brown miljria ja Yucatan, rhis work emphasizes rhe importance of local and regional conditions in the implementar- ion and management of cultural boundaries.