An Entrada narrative

Since the 1960s, the group Los Caballeros De Vargas has presented the pageant of the Entrada annually at La Fiesta de Santa Fe.

The Caballeros organization was formed in 1956, and soon after inception, took over the duties of presenting the Entrada, which dates back as early as 1926. This pageant is based on historical events that happened one day in the year 1692. In the past, the Entrada was performed for many years without a full documented script. That has changed.

The original script was first written in 1960 under the supervision of Edmundo Delgado. Since 1960, it has gone through many revisions to become more inclusive. In 1978, the script was revised by Pedro Ribera, Edmundo Delgado, Arturo M. Gabaldon and Antonio Trujillo. At that time of revision, the Caballeros asked Fray Angelico Chavez, O.F.M, to edit the script; Fray Angélico Chávez was a renowned historian, with an emphasis on New Mexico history and Catholicism in New Mexico.

In 1992, under the direction of then-Archbishop Robert Sanchez, the script was revised again by Fray Chávez and Monsignor Jerome Martinez y Alire. To this day, we use that script. Elements have been incorporated into the script at the suggestion of Pueblo leaders.

The purpose of the play is to bring forth the story of the peaceful reconciliation of the two cultures, Native American and Spanish. This is a celebration of the coming together of these two cultures. The purpose of the Entrada is absolutely not a celebration of a genocide or any ill treatment of our Native American brothers and sisters. We love, honor and respect the Native American community, and in no way would we want to demean or dishonor that community.

Through the re-enactment, we present the intercession of our Heavenly Patroness, Our Lady of Assumption, and the reconciliation between the Native Americans and the Spaniards. This intercession became so through the love, faith and prayer that Don Diego de Vargas had for the Blessed Mother.

As the Entrada signifies the peaceful coming together of two cultures, I would like to work alongside the Native American community to continue to develop an Entrada that would continue to be inclusive. We want to ensure that the Entrada honors our Native brothers and sisters and their long history and traditions.

We hope that, as a community, we can come together to share ideas of how the Entrada can continue to grow and be a more inclusive community event — one that helps to heal the ills of the past and celebrates the many cultures that build the great community of Santa Fe.

We invite all of Santa Fe to come enjoy the Entrada, to take the time and listen to the peaceful narrative that formed the rich culture that we know as Santa Fe.

Manuel Garcia is the president of Los Caballeros De Vargas.