The Tiwa Tribe – Fighting the Spanish

The Tiwa, also known as Tigua, represent a resilient group of Tanoan Pueblo tribes inhabiting distinct geographical regions across the American Southwest. Their ancestral lands stretch from Taos and Picuris in the rugged northeastern expanse of New Mexico, southward to Sandia and Isleta, nestled near the modern city of Albuquerque, and further southeast to Ysleta del Sur, situated near El Paso, Texas. This geographical distribution reflects the Tiwa’s adaptability and enduring presence in a landscape marked by both beauty and hardship. Traditionally, these communities communicated through one of three Tiwa languages, a testament to their unique cultural heritage. However, with the passage of time and the increasing influence of external forces, many Tiwa people gradually adopted Spanish or English, reflecting the linguistic shifts that have shaped their identity. The story of The Tiwa Tribe – Fighting the Spanish is a compelling narrative of resilience and cultural preservation.

The first documented encounter between the Tiwa people and Europeans occurred during the Coronado Expedition in 1540. Francisco Vasquez de Coronado, leading a Spanish exploratory force into what is now New Mexico, referred to the Tiwa communities as both Tigua and Tiguex. Initially, the Spanish were greeted with a warm reception. Coronado’s chroniclers described thriving agricultural practices, with the Tiwa cultivating corn, beans, and various melons. They also observed the Tiwa hunting local game and skillfully crafting robes from skins, feathers, and cotton, showcasing their resourcefulness and artistry. These early interactions offer a glimpse into the Tiwa’s established way of life prior to sustained European contact.

The initial amicable relations between the Tiwa and the Spanish were short-lived. During the winter of 1540-41, Coronado and his men decided to establish their winter quarters in the Tiguex province. This decision soon led to conflict. The Spanish, burdened by the need to supply their army, demanded that the Tiwa provide approximately 300 pieces of cloth for clothing. When the Tiwa were unable or unwilling to meet this exorbitant demand, the Spanish resorted to coercive measures, even stripping cloaks and blankets directly from the backs of the Tiwa people. This blatant disregard for the Tiwa’s well-being and property ignited resentment and ultimately sparked retaliation. In response to the Spanish aggression, the Tiwa staged a daring act of defiance: they ran off and killed the Spanish herd of horses, a significant blow to the expedition’s resources and mobility.

This act of rebellion triggered the Tiguex War, a pivotal event marking the first major armed conflict between Europeans and Native Americans in the American West. The winter months of 1540-41 witnessed intense fighting between the Spanish forces and twelve Tiwa pueblos located along the Rio Grande, both north and south of present-day Bernalillo, New Mexico. The The Tiwa Tribe – Fighting the Spanish faced a formidable foe in the well-equipped and militarily experienced Spanish conquistadors. Despite their valiant resistance, the Tiwa were eventually forced to surrender. The Spanish, in a cruel and calculated act of reprisal, offered a semblance of "pardon" to the captured Tiwa warriors. However, this pardon proved to be a deceptive facade. The Spanish proceeded to burn approximately 200 of the captives at the stake. As the flames engulfed their bodies, some of the Tiwa prisoners attempted to escape the horrific torture, only to be shot down by the Spanish soldiers. The Tiguex War, along with the introduction of European diseases to which the Tiwa had no immunity, had a devastating impact on the Tiwa population and led to the abandonment of numerous villages.

The aftermath of the Tiguex War profoundly altered the relationship between the Tiwa and the Europeans. After the war and the brutal Spanish retribution, Europeans were no longer welcomed in the pueblos and were often met with hostility. This change in attitude reflected the deep-seated resentment and distrust that had grown out of the Spanish mistreatment. However, despite the Tiwa’s resistance, the Spanish continued to encroach upon their lands, driven by the zeal of missionaries and the lure of new territories. By 1629, it was estimated that the Tiwa inhabited eight pueblos with a total population of approximately 6,000 inhabitants. Despite their location in the challenging desert environment, the Tiwa managed to sustain themselves through hunting and utilizing the limited water resources available. The resilience and adaptability of The Tiwa Tribe – Fighting the Spanish is evident in their ability to maintain their communities in the face of adversity.

Beyond the threat posed by the Spanish, the Tiwa also faced constant raids and attacks from the Apache, another formidable Native American group in the region. The constant warfare and pressure from both the Spanish and the Apache led to the abandonment of several Tiwa pueblos, including Chilili in the early 1670s, Quaraie around 1674, and Tajique the following year. These abandonments underscore the immense challenges faced by the Tiwa in maintaining their traditional way of life.

By the time of the Pueblo Revolt in 1680, a coordinated uprising against Spanish authority, the Tiwa were primarily concentrated in the pueblos of Puaray, Sandia, Alameda, Isleta, Taos, and Picuris. During the revolt, Isleta was stormed by the Spanish, resulting in the capture of approximately 500 Tiwa people. These captives were forcibly marched to El Paso, Texas, where they eventually established the new Pueblo of Ysleta del Sur. The remaining Tiwa people from Isleta and Sandia fled to Tusayan, Arizona, seeking refuge among the Hopi Indians. They lived among the Hopi for several years before eventually returning to New Mexico in the early 1700s. Although some of the Tiwa pueblos were burned during the revolt, the Tiwa people demonstrated their unwavering determination by rebuilding all but Alameda and Puaray.

Today, the Tiwa people continue to maintain their cultural identity and traditions in the pueblos of Isleta, Picuris, Sandia, and Taos in New Mexico, as well as at the Pueblo of Isleta del Sur in El Paso, Texas. These communities serve as living testaments to the enduring spirit and resilience of the Tiwa people, who have overcome countless challenges throughout their history. The story of The Tiwa Tribe – Fighting the Spanish is a reminder of the complex and often tragic interactions between European colonizers and indigenous populations in the American Southwest. The The Tiwa Tribe – Fighting the Spanish are the living proof.

The legacy of The Tiwa Tribe – Fighting the Spanish lives on.