Ana, the Founder

About the Book

Mercedes Giuffré’s novel is based on the story of Ana Díaz, a real woman, the only one who was present at the founding of Buenos Aires, alongside the expedition led by Juan de Garay. Why is this detail important? Because her participation in the founding ceremony granted her the right to own land in her own name. She became the first landowner on record of what is now Buenos Aires, a city that in the 16th century was known as ‘La Trinidad’.

Very little is known about Ana. Given the scarcity of remaining historical records, Mercedes Giuffré resorts to the tools of literature to embark in the compelling journey of this mestiza woman—mixed ancestry: half Spanish, half Payaguá—who left Asunción del Paraguay and ventured into the total uncertainty of a new territory, with one added complication: the previous expedition led by Pedro de Mendoza had been a complete failure, marked by famine and, it is said, even cannibalism.

Excerpt

Santa Fe, 1580

The midshipman’s face betrayed his disbelief as he watched me climb aboard the caravel. He hesitated between reaching for his weapon or—as he eventually did—stepping in my way.

“What are you doing here, ma’am? Who gave you permission?”

“There’s no time for nonsense,” I replied. “You know perfectly well that I’m Ana Díaz; my brother is the helmsman’s assistant. Call him right away.”

I had tried to secure an audience with Garay at his estate, but I was turned away without him even being informed of my presence. It seemed the Basque had no time for anything other than meeting with local authorities and his noblemen, in order to complete preparations for the next stage of the journey, which I watched with growing concern each day. April was drawing to a close, and with it, my hopes of taking possession of my land were vanishing. But I was determined not to be left behind and to fight for what had been promised to me!

“I’ll have him brought here,” the young man said gravely. “But you will not move, is that clear?”

The sun was shining on the deceptively still waters, as it would on the surface of a mirror. Once again, it took me some time to get used to the ship's pitching and rolling, knowing I was the object of the sailors’ curious stares. I turned my back on them and, with my hands on the wooden railing, watched the settlement of Santa Fe.

After a while, Pedro appeared from the stern, where the ship’s helm was located. His dark face went from surprise to anger.

“What are you doing here, for God's sake?” 

He seized me by the arm, without the slightest attempt at being gentle, and dragged me toward the bow. “You came because of Garay’s new ruling, didn’t you?” he demanded, though he didn’t let me answer. “I figured you wouldn’t take it well. Not you, so proud. But you have no right to get me involved. Can you hear me? I warned you to stay in Asunción, but you wouldn't listen.”

Translated by Sandra Botta - Edited by Cecilia Della Croce