An exploration of women's involvement in the Latin American Wars of Independence

Gregoria Apaza (Apasa) de Canani

Gender:Female

Ethnic origen: Indigenous

Events:

Connections:

Biography:
She was born around 1752, Bolivia, the sister of Julián Apaza (who was tortured, killed and quartered on 13 November 1781) and sister-in-law of Bartolina Sisa.

She took part in the Túpac Amaru rebellion. She fought alongside Andrés Túpac Amaru and was executed. (Guardia, 45)

She was married to Alejando Canani. She was tried, and tortured and hung and quartered. In her trial she said "although it is true to say that many whites were killed, this was mainly due to Indian excesses, because Julián's [Apasa] orders were that only some be killed. She maintained that some of the rebels spoke Quechua, and others Spanish. They spoke to Miguel Bastidas via an interpreter. (O'Phelan, 253, 307)

She is described as a cacica, sister of Túpac Catari, mistress of Andrés Túpac Amaru. She was charged with using the title "Queen" and of executing people in Sorata. Royalists described her as "as bloody a butcher as her brother". She was sentenced to death. On 5 September 1782, she was made to ride a mule through the streets of Cochabamba, wearing a crown of nails, and carrying a cross. She was then hung, her body dismembered, her head and hands were exhibited in Hachacachi and Sorata, and the rest of her body burned. (Campbell, 195)

References:

Ramb, Ana María (editor). (1999) Pasión y coraje: Mujeres que hicieron historia
Campbell, Leon (1985) Women and the Great Rebellion in Peru, 1780-1783
Davies, Catherine, Brewster, Claire and Owen, Hilary (2006) South American Independence. Gender, Politics, Text
Guardia, Sara Beatriz (1985) Mujeres peruanas: El otro lado de la historia
O'Phelan Godoy, Scarlett (1985) Rebellions and Revolts in Eighteenth Century Peru and Upper Peru