PUEBLO

See also:

• INDIANS, NORTH AMERICAN

INDIANS  , the Spanish name (pueblo= village) for the town-building tribes of American Indians of the Keresan, Shoshonean, Tanoan and Zuiiian stocks, whose representatives are now practically confined to New Mexico and Arizona . Formerly they had a far greater range . They were alike in their sedentary agricultural characteristics, and had not the warlike disposition of the Plains Indians . Their modern history begins. with their discovery in 1539 by Father Marcos de Niza . In the following year they were subdued by Francisco Vasquez de Coronado . Two years later they made a successful revolt, but in 1586 they had again to submit . In 168o they once more rebelled, but by 1692 they were finally conquered . Their houses are communal, generally but one structure for the whole village . These houses are sometimes built of stone, but oftener of adobe, several storeys high, each storey receding from the one below . The common plan is a hollow square or curved figure, though in some cases the form of a pyramid is followed . A feature of each town is the underground chamber used for tribal ceremonies . Many of the towns are built on high table-lands inaccessible except by steep trails .

The

Pueblos are a short, sturdy type of American Indians, very active, but mild-mannered and much darker than those of the plains . They are farmers and herdsmen, and are skilful in basket-work, weaving, pottery and carving . They are notable for their highly developed ceremonial customs, and their blankets and earthenware are decorated with religious symbolism .