"The do no not want to pay respect and obedience because of being a woman...". Cacicas and judicial practices in lawsuits ´pueblos de indios´. Central Chile, late 18th Century

This article aims to reveal the role of some women in the 'Indian peoples' of Central Chile in the late eighteenth century. Through a case of study, we propose an analysis of judicial practices –or legal culture– by cacicas and ‘indians’. In these particular cases, the ability of these women had to defend themselves against lawsuits that confronting their communities or againts the landowners is enhaced.