Creation of Divara

Initial principles

When Aldonza de Bracamonte became leader of the Spanish, she realised that she was in a precarious position. Spanish society was fiercely patriarchal and she knew she would face a challenge for her leadership at some point. She decided that the best way to preserve her position was to make it religious. A religious leader is less likely to be challenged.

But Catholicism was not suitable. There were no female priests, and nuns are not leaders. So she decided to create a new religion with female priests and handmaidens to support them. She was able to distance herself from Catholicism by attacking the Protestant religion of the English.