Sins against Nature: Sex and Archives in Colonial New Spain

Explore the forbidden world of colonial New Spain with "Sins against Nature: Sex and Archives in Colonial New Spain"! This captivating book, written by Zeb Tortorici, delves into the prosecution of sex acts in the colonies of present-day Mexico, Guatemala, the US Southwest, and the Philippines. Immerse yourself in over three hundred criminal and Inquisition cases, spanning from 1530 to 1821, to uncover the ways bodies and desires were recorded and archived in this tumultuous period.

Delve into the secrets of the secular and ecclesiastical courts as they utilize the term "contra natura" to try individuals accused of sodomy, bestiality, masturbation, erotic religious visions, priestly solicitation of sex during confession, and various other forms of "unnatural" sex. You'll be captivated by the archival traces that reveal the visceral reactions of witnesses, the accused, colonial authorities, notaries, translators, and more. Discover the paramount role of affect and its influence on the Spanish documentation and regulation of these controversial sins against nature.

By shedding light on the logic behind the crimes recorded and the manifold ways they are mediated through the colonial archive, Tortorici offers a fresh perspective on Iberian Atlantic history. Uncover how the archives challenge the traditional understanding of bodies, desires, and social categories upon which the history of sexuality is based. Don't miss out on this groundbreaking exploration of the unnatural and its impact on colonial society!

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