Cautivos y Cautivas

The practice of taking captives was common amongst most Indian tribes. Between "los Indios Barbaros" and the Spanish it started as soon as the Indians could do it in New Mexico. That was probably around the time they started using the horse. Los Indios Barbaros were the Apache, Ute, Navajo, Kiowa and later the Comanche. And they all took captives.  

The Apache took  my 2nd great grand uncle Jose Andres Martin captive and later traded him to the Kiowa where he lived out his life. Reference an earlier post of mine here:

 http://nuevomejicano.blogspot.com/2007/03/jose-andres-martn-andele.html

The only reference to the Pueblos taking Spanish captives that I can find is during the 1680 Pueblo Revolt. The Pueblos kept at least a few Spanish women. At least one survived and is documented in the historical record.

Unlike the Europeans on the east coast, who were also being taken captive by the Indians, the Spanish also took captives. It was tit for tat amongst los Indios Barbaros and the Spanish in New Mexico. There were many Indians who were assimilated into New Mexican society as late as the early American Period. Most, if not all, were taken from the ranks of los Indios Barbaros, especially the Navajo. There are references in the historical record to the percentages of Apache and Comanche that were in reality Mexican. This historical record mostly from the traders on the Santa Fe Trail and later the Americans as they took over the province.

The Spanish/Mexicans lived in close proximity to the pueblos and inter marriage was common and frequent. But that is another post.

I think we can all look at our relatives, maybe even ourselves, and recognize Indian features in many.