Prostitution during the Chilenization of Arica (1920-1929)

Se investigan las características principales de la prostitución en la ciudad chilena de Arica durante la década del veinte del siglo pasado. El fenómeno es analizado desde las fuentes judiciales, particularmente los expedientes criminales. Metodológicamente, se seleccionaron los testimonios de prostitutas y clientes de los burdeles por representar las “voces” de esos sujetos. Proponemos que la convivencia prostibularia estuvo condicionada por la ilegalidad de las prácticas sociales, logrando distinguirse relaciones mediadas por el alcoholismo, los hurtos y la violencia. Las conclusiones reflexionan sobre la constitución de una vida cotidiana “pervertida” de los prostíbulos y, seguidamente, sobre la importancia de diversificar los periodos de análisis y las fuentes históricas referidas a ese comercio.In this article, the main characteristics of prostitution in the Chilean city Arica during the 1920s are being analysed. The phenomenon is looked at from the perspective of juridical sources, particularly criminal records. Methodologically, testimonies of sex workers and clients of the brothels were chosen to represent the “voices” of these subjects. It is being proposed that cohabitation was conditioned by the illegality of the social practices, distinguishing relations mediated by alcoholism, theft and violence. The conclusions reflect on the constitution of a “perverted” everyday life of the brothels and, subsequently, on the importance of diversifying as much the periods of analysis as the historic sources in regard to this business