Folk History and Cultural Reorganization: A Tigua Example

Abstract

THE TIGUA OF YSLETA DEL SUR, as a cultural entity, came into existence in the late seventeenth century as a result of the Pueblo Revolt of 1680. Prior to this major revolt Pueblo dissatisfaction over the oppressive rulership of their Spanish conquerors had erupted in the form of minor rebellions staged by two or three pueblos working in concert, but these disjointed efforts had been easily crushed by the superior military might of the Spanish. The Revolt of 1680, however, was a carefully planned and executed campaign coordinated by Pope, a religious leader of the Pueblo of San Juan, from his headquarters at Taos Pueblo. The revolt, which was to have begun on August 11, 1680, was instituted earlier than originally planned due to the capture and interrogation of two of Pope's messengers in possession of details of the attack. After this unexpected occurrence the uprising, involving plans to assassinate all Spanish settlers and their secular and religious officials, was moved up to the morning of the tenth. Due to warnings issued after the capture of Pope's runners, some of the Spanish were able to take flight before the initial attack and seek refuge in Santa Fe, New Mexico. So fierce was the siege laid to this provincial capital by the Pueblo forces that after nine days Don Antonio de Otermin, governor and captain-general of the province, was forced to withdraw with his surviving followers to join the Spanish colonists at Isleta, New Mexico.' The indigenous residents of Isleta Pueblo were the only Pueblos who did not take part in the Revolt of 1680. On his arrival in Isleta, Otermin found the pueblo completely deserted due to the Indians' fear of the