Establishing respect for Pueblo practices
Don Diego de Vargas brought the Spanish back to New Mexico in 1692 with a completely different attitude and intention than his predecessors. He realized that suppression of Pueblo spirituality had been a very bad idea. He made a commitment that Pueblo people were to be free to practice their own spiritual beliefs and kiva practice. This was a radical reform in the New World.
Of course, the returning Spanish thought it would be nice if Pueblo people also became Catholics, but de Vargas made it a prime ingredient of the reconquest there would be no objection to traditional Native faith. That commitment echoes true to this day. (I have seen kiva dancers briefly blessed at a nearby chapel and then return to their plaza and commence their wonderful ancient ceremonial dancing.)
After the successful Pueblo Revolt, Pueblo communities began to encounter increased pressure from incoming Athabaskan tribes from the north (today’s Apache, Navajo, Comanche, etc.). These were both traders and occasional raiders. Different Pueblo communities had conflicting experiences with the newcomers. Puebloans became not quite as united as they had been in 1680.
For many Pueblos, the return of the Spanish promised increased protection and stability. But not all felt that way. When de Vargas came back with settlers following the Entrada, some villages fought their return. (This history is known by our Caballeros de Vargas, as well as the killing of the priests during the Pueblo Revolt.)
However, Don Diego de Vargas left a legacy of religious tolerance echoing across three centuries to this very day in New Mexico. When the Fiesta de Santa Fe fully resumed in 1919, Native people were very much a part of the event and have been ever since. Our tradition of respect, appreciation and interchange among many faiths is such a firm cultural anchor here that much of the world could learn from us today.
Richard Polese was once a member of the Caballeros de Vargas. He also served as editor at the Museum of New Mexico Press and of El Palacio, the museum’s magazine and journal. He is a resident of Santa Fe.
Our tradition of respect, appreciation and interchange among many faiths is such a firm cultural anchor here that much of the world could learn from us today.