Environmental Adaptation at Sia Pueblo

Abstract

The Keresan speaking pueblo of Sia, located on Jemez Creek several miles from its confluence with the Rio Grande in central New Mexico, has long been noted for its extreme conservatism and resistance to acculturation, stemming primarily from the Hispanic period which began in the 16th century. The singular geographic and environmental position of this pueblo, however, has also played a not inconsiderable role in their reticency. Situated between Jemez pueblo upstream and Santa Ana pueblo to the east, Sia has not always been in an enviable position in regard to abundant water supply and tillable land. Stevenson, in 1889, wrote:Though the Sia have considerable irrigable lands, they have but a meager supply of water, this being due to the fact that after the Mexican towns above them and the pueblo of Jemez have drawn upon the waters of the Jemez river, little is left for the Sia, and in order to have any success with their crops they must curtail the area to be cultivated.