cacique

Hola a todos,
Alguien sabe que es un "cacique" en espanol. Creo que es una palabara de America del sur que refiere a los "tiranos politicos".

La frase que en que lo encuentro problemas es...

"El pais de los cacique rurales denostado por Valle IOnclan, que ingresa en el primer mundo".

Refiere a Espana actualmente y el texto habla de los vario cambio en Espana que ocurre constantamente.

Agredeceria mucho la ayuda de alguien para traducirlo en ingles.

Gracias

I read it as,

"The country of rural leaders (landowners) criticized harshly by Valle Ionclan, which entered into the first world"

I can't remember what cacique means specifically but it definitely denotes someone with decision making power...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cacique

Hope this helps ManchesterUK

Originally, the word cacique referred to an American tribal chieftain. In Spain and in more recent times, it's been used to talk about a landowner who ruled his property with an iron fist, and often held the local authorities as his puppets.

I hope this helps you find a suitable word in English (and I also hope you'll excuse my rudimentary English)

In my country, cacique refers to a Native American chief, as Hajt pointed out. Pre-colombian chiefdoms were called cacicazgos. It could also mean a Chief or head of something.

As pointed out in Wiki, cacique IS an English word, found in an English Dictionary.

May I clarify that in 19th century Galicia, where Valle-Inclán's novels are set, caciques were not exactly landowners but the rent-collectors and overall henchmen for the landed gentry. Their job was similar to that of the original Sicilian Mafia, and they held a lot of power over local politics.
When the remains of the feudal system finally collapsed, the Mafia emigrated to America, and the rest of the story we know.
In Galicia today, caciques are wealthy persons in rural or semi-rural environments who have puppet politicians dancing to their tunes. Bribery and corruption are rampant, and their demagogy keeps them in power.