Groups of Indians - villages or towns headed by a cacique or chief - were given to a Spanish landlord to work for him in his lands or properties. They also had to pay tributes to him. He was responsible for them. That was the system called "encomienda." Ironically, one the lord´s duties was to make them assimilate Christian beliefs and values, to lead a Christian life, but often they had too work too long and too much and there wasn´t time for cathecism left. Indians and their families were exploited and badly mistreated by the Spanish lords or "encomenderos." This sytem consolidated the state of Indians as a slave labor force and their subjugation, and it also was a good method used by the Spanish crown to pay all those Spanish men who had rendered services to it. Catholic priests and missionaries were among the early defenders of Indians.
