golondrinas placita narrative · 2019. 4. 2. · el rancho de las golondrinas placita narrative...
TRANSCRIPT
ElRanchodelasGolondrinasPlacitaNarrative
GolondrinasPlacitaIntroduction
TheGolondrinasPlacitaisapartiallyreconstructedexampleofan18thcentury
Spanishcolonialhome,builtasadefensivestructureandpositionedontheCamino
RealasaRanchoandparaje(stoppingplace).Builtinthe1960s,theentirestructure
isnotoriginal.TheChapelandFoundersRoomarebelievedtohavebeen
constructedbetweenthe18thand19thcenturyasaprivatedwellingandlaterused
asabarnuntilitstransformationintoamuseumexhibit.Partialadobefoundations
werepresentwheretheKitchenandCaptivesRoomarenow.Theiroriginalform
andfunctionisunclearanditisnotknownwithcertaintywholivedinwhatisnow
theChapelandFoundersRoom.
Ranchossuchasthesewouldhavebeentheresidenceofonefamilyincludingany
extendedfamilyplusservantsandslaves.BecauseofitslocationontheCaminoReal
aRanchoanditsgroundswouldalsoserveasaparaje,accommodatingtraveling
militarypersonnel,governmentemissaries,Franciscanclergyandtraders.In1780,
GovernorJuanBautistadeAnzaledanexpeditionseekingtoestablishanewtrade
routebetweenSantaFeandArispe,Mexico.OnNovember9thofthatyearthegroup
marched4leagues(approximately10miles)southfromSantaFeontheirfirstday
andcampedinLaCiénegaataplacedescribedasLasGolondrinas.Whileits
unknownexactlywhereAnzacamped,onecanimaginealargeexpeditionforce,full
ofexcitementandtrepidationabouttheadventureahead,settingupsomewhereat
LasGolondrinas.
ThearchitectureisspecificallydesignedfordefenseandisofSpanishorigin.
Constructionisofadobes(sun-driedmudbricks)coveredwithmudplaster.Roofs
areflatandcoveredwithearth.ThepeakedroofoftheChapelisalateraddition
fromthelate19thorearly20thcenturywhentinroofingmaterialwasreadily
availablewiththeadventoftherailroadinNewMexicoafter1880.
Entryisthroughoneofthetwozaguanes(coveredentries)leadingtotheplacita
(littleplaza)withanoria(well)andhornos(earthovens)wherethefamilyandtheir
servantsandslaveswouldhavespentamajorityoftheirtimeworking.A
puertón/portón(largedoor)couldbeopenedforwagons,animalsandgroupsof
people,whileapuertadezambullo(smalldoor)wasusedbyindividuals.The
hornoswereinconstantuse.ThehornocametoSpainfromtheMoorsinNorth
AfricaandtoNewSpainwithnochangeindesign.Theywereusedtobakemany
foodssuchaspan(bread),dulces(sweetbread),panocha(sproutedwheatandsugar
pudding),cajetademembrillowhichisdriedquinceandsugar.Hornoswerealso
usedtosteamfreshcornforchicos(driedcorn)androastgreenchile.Therooms,
whichsurroundtheplacita,makeupthedefensiveexteriorwalls.Theroomsare
accessiblefromoneanotherthroughinteriordoorsandfromtheplacitathrough
exteriordoors.Interiorwindowslookingintotheplacitaarelarge,allowingairand
lightintotherooms.Exteriorwindowsaresmallfordefensivepurposesandare
insetwithseleniteormicatoallowlightin.Seleniteisamineralgypsumwhose
crystalscanoccurastabularsheetswhichhavebeenusedasglasspanesasearlyas
theancientRomanempire.Micaisasheetsilicatemineralthatcanbeusedforthe
samepurposebutistypicallynotastranslucent.Exteriorwindowswerealso
coveredwithanimalskinsandwoodrejas(bars)whileinteriorwindowswere
barredand/orshuttered.Fireplacesareofadobeandtypicallyconstructedin
corners.Theroofsaresupportedbyvigas(woodbeams),whichwouldhavebeen
primarilyroundandarecharacteristicofadobeconstruction.Earlyexamplesof
finelyadzedsquarebeamsdoexistandaredisplayedhereaswell.Theceilingisa
mixofroundlatillas(poles)andrajas(roughstripsofwood)laidacrossthevigas,
signifyingalackofmilledlumber.Doorsarehandhewnwithanadzegivingthema
stoutandsubstantialappearance.Itwasalsocommonforanimalhidestobehung
andusedasinteriordoors.Whileonaverage,18thcenturyEuropeansandtheirNew
Worldcounterpartswereslightlyshorterthanwearetoday,doorheightwasnot
dictatedbythisfact.Rather,thedoorsaresmallforanumberofotherpractical
reasons.Theyrequirelessmaterialtomake,helptomaintainheatinaroomwhen
openedandhighthresholdsonexteriordoorshelpkeeprainwater,snow,mudand
leavesfromenteringtheroom.Smallerdoorsalsooffersomedefensebyforcingyou
tobothstoopdownandstepoverthethresholdwhenenteringaroomorbuilding.
ThisstyleoflivingisdirectlytransplantedfrommedievalSpainandpersistedin
otherpartsoftheSpanishcolonies.Itsimportanttorememberthattheplaneof
existenceincolonialandterritorialNewMexicowasmuchlowerthanitistodayin
thateverydaylifeinevenwell-to-dohomesoccurredmuchlowertotheground.
TheSpanishcolonialswereheavilyinfluencedbymedievalandMozarabiccustoms.
Thesecustomsprevailedwellintothe19thcenturyasamatterofpreferenceandin
someinstancesasaresultofculturalisolation.Asamatterofcustomand
familiarityNewMexicanstypicallysat,ateandsleptoncushionsandlowstools
throughoutthe18thand19thcentury.ThisSpanishcustomwanedinthelate19th
andearly20thcenturybecauseofincreasingAmericaninfluenceandaffordable
mass-producedfurniture.Someoftheselowseatingareasorestradoswere
exceptionallylushwithsoftmattresses,pillowsandtextiles.
ThematerialcultureondisplaywillbeamixoffineandutilitarianSpanishgoods,
nativemadematerial,andSpanishcolonialmaterialfabricatedonthenorthern
frontier.
CapillaySaladeFundadoresChapelandFoundersRoom
SalaGrandeFormalLivingRoom
Thisstructureisbelievedtobetheoldestbuildingstillstandingonoriginal
foundationsatLasGolondrinas.Originallyhavingatraditionalflatroof,thepeaked
roofoftheChapelisalateradditionfromthelate19thorearly20thcenturywhentin
roofingmaterialwasreadilyavailablewiththeadventoftherailroadafter1880.
Theoriginallevelofvigasisstillvisibleonthebuilding’sexterior.Thewoodfloor
wasaddedwhenthebuildingwastransformedintoamuseumexhibit.Priortoits
transformationintoachapelitwasbeingusedasabarn.Basedonthelayoutand
objectsondisplaythecurrentinterpretationisofaNorthernNewMexicanHispanic
chapelfromthelate19thcentury.Thisroomdoesnotrepresentafamilychapelor
serveasanexampleofareligiousspacethatwouldhaveexistedataRanchofrom
the1700s.Rather,thischapelservesasatestamentoffaithandoftheenduringrole
thatreligionhasplayedinthelivesofNewMexicansfromthecolonialperiodto
today.In1994,elevenartistsworkingintraditionalstylesconstructedthealtar
screen.In1995,fourteensanteros(saintmakers)andatinsmithmadetheStations
oftheCross.TheFoundersRoomiswherethefirstmeetingoftheColonialNew
MexicoHistoricalFoundationwasheld.Thisgroup,undertheauspicesofthe
Paloheimos,laidthefoundationthatbroughtabouttheexistenceofthemuseum.It
nowservesasarotatingexhibitspace.See“TheBultosoftheGolondrinasChapel”
intheinterpreterhandbookformoreinformationonthealtarscreenandStationsof
theCross.
AsapartofaSpanishcolonialhomethisroomwouldbequitedifferent.Itwould
haveservedastheSalaGrande(FormalLivingRoom).Thislargemultipurpose
roomwouldhaveseenavarietyofactivitiesbutprimarilybeenreservedforthe
familyoftheRancho.Familymealswouldhavebeentakenhereorthefamilyroom
withservicecomingfromtheadjacentkitchen.Membersofthefamilymayeven
havesleptinthisroom.Celebrationsandfandangos(Spanishdanceparties)would
havebeenstagedhereandlargecommunityandpoliticalmeetingswouldalsohave
beenheldinthisroom.Distinguishedguestswouldhaveusedthisroomfor
lodging.
LaCocinaKitchen
TheSpanishColonialKitchenwasahubofactivitysinceitprovidedthefueltorun
theRancho.Basicmeals,mostlyservedontherun,wereprobablythenormfor
mostofthepeoplewhopopulatedtheRancho.TheRanchoowner,hishonored
guestsandhisimmediatefamilywouldbeservedtheirmealsinthefamily’s
quarterswhileservants,captives,slavesandworkerswouldeatinthekitchenor
grabaquickmealastheywentabouttheirbusiness.Thefoodservedwouldbea
mixtureofSpanishandPueblodishesascolonizationcreatedaculinaryfusion.
Vesselformsalsoreflectedthisculturalmixtureandinmanycasestraditional
Spanishformssuchasredwaresoperos(soupplates)werebeingcommissionedby
colonistsandmadebyPuebloIndians.Thisutilizationofnativeskillisindicativeof
theearlyNewMexicanlocaleconomy.Thepreparationandstorageoffoodwasa
constantandrequiredgreateffortmostlyonthepartofwomen,althoughmen
hunted,slaughteredandpreparedthemeatfromgameorlargedomesticated
animals.Themetatesandmanos(grindingstones)wereusedtopreparegrains;
thisarduousworkwaslefttoyoungwomenbothinthePueblosandontheranch.
Eventuallygrainmillsrelievedpartofthisburden.Tortillasofcornandflour,a
modestamountofmeat,squash,beansandchilewerethemainstayswithfruitsand
othervegetablesaddedinseasonorstoredforuse.Spices,salt,andspecialfoods
suchaschocolateorsugarwerecarefullystoredandprotected.
WateratthisRanchowaseasilyaccessiblebutstillhadtobehauledaboutand
storedforthefamily’suseandforfoodpreparation.Cookingwasdoneinanopen
fireplacethathadashelfaboveforstorageoftoolsandfoodwhichcouldalsobe
usedasabunk,knownasashepherdsbed,inespeciallyharshweather.Thehooded
hearthorshepherds-stylehearthwastypicalofNorthernNewMexicohomesanda
directdescendentofSpanishhoodedfireplaces.Thefirewassimplymadeonthe
floorinthecornerwiththehoodandfludirectingsmokeoutoftheroom.While
splitwoodsuchaspiñon,juniperandcottonwoodwereusedinfireplacesitwas
morecommontousecharcoal.Colonistsquicklyunderstoodthelimitationsof
resourcesandwoodthathadbeenpreparedascharcoalwasmuchmoreefficient,
lesswasteful,resultedinkitchensthatwerelesssmokyandfoodthathadlessash
fallintoit.ItwassoimportantthatFranciscanshadnativeboysassignedtoits
preparation.“Thecookingisdonewithcharcoalwinterandsummer;thismakes
thingsmucheasierforthepeople…Thefoodisbetter;thecooksarenottroubled
andfilthdoesnotfallintoit[food]”(Dominguez,“TheMissionsofNewMexico,
1776”,p.311).Inwarmweathercookingwouldbedoneintheplacita.Thehornos
adjacenttothekitchenwereforbakingandroasting.Servantsandslaveswould
sleepinthekitchenorotherroomswheretheyworked--likealloftheroomsofthe
Rancho,thekitchenwouldservemultipleuses.Althoughthekitchenisfulloftools
andequipment,ithadlittlefurniture.Trasteros(cupboards)whichwereusedto
storetrastes(dishes)wereuncommoninthe18thcenturybutbigchestsusedto
storejustabouteverythingandusedasworksurfacescouldbefoundinalarge
kitchensuchasthis.Thelogharinero(grainchest)isanespeciallyprizedstorage
device.Lowstoolsandbencheswereusedforbothsittingandforthepreparation
offood.Thepracticeofeatingfamilystylewhileseatedatatableanddiscussing
yourday,somuchapartofourmodernlives,wasnotapartoflifebeforethelate
19thcenturyinvariouspartsoftheworld.Aswastypicalofthetime,mealswerea
task,notaneventandoftentakenonthego.Therewastypicallyanelementof
segregationsomen,womenandchildrenoftenateseparatelyorinstages.Meals
weresimplyameansofstockinguponcaloriestogetyouthroughthedayandwere
typicallytreatedwithlittlefanfare.Theservingpiecessuchastin-glazed
earthenware(talaveraandmajolica),silverplatesandeatingutensils,glasswareand
pewterwereusedtoservetheRanchofamilywhileservantsmighthaveashared
potoffoodandatortillaonasimpleunglazedearthenwareplateandcup.
Everywhere,metalwashighlyprizedsoallvesselsandothertoolsmadeofmetal
wereespeciallyvaluable.Pueblopotterywasalsowidelyusedforstorageand
service.
• Theharinero(grainchest)ismadefromahollowedcottonwoodlogand
showstheingenuityofSpanishcolonists.Thisformisunique,verydifficult
tomakeandnottypicalofthetypesofgrainchestsusedin18thcenturyNew
Mexico.
• Manosandmetates(grindingstones)areonthefloornearbyforthedaily
processoftortillamaking.
• Inthehearthareiron,copperandceramiccookingvesselswithtrivets,iron
skewers,spoons,andothercookingimplements.Metalitemswereeither
broughtinbycolonistsormadebylocalSpanishblacksmiths.Thepotteryis
amixofpuebloandSpanishforms.
• Paddlesandotherimplementsforthehornosarebythedoorway.
• Thespaceabovethehearthwasmultipurposeandwouldbeusedtodryfood
orforgeneralstorage.Inextremecoldweatheritcouldbeusedasasleeping
platform/shepherdsbed.
• Nearthehearthisalowhangingcradlesothewomengrindingcornorflour
onthefloorcouldeasilycheckonthebaby.Thesmallbuilt-inbanco(bench)
isusedforsittingandstorage.
• Therepisa(woodshelf)heldthespecialservingpiecesforthefamilysuchas
majolica,pewter,silverandglass.
• Thenicho(nicheorrecessinwall)withshelvesasyouentercouldholda
varietyofculinaryobjectsandhouseholdorpersonaleffectsincludingpots
ofdriedfoodandsomeofthepotsusedforfoodpreparation.
• Hangingabouttheroomarebaskets,driedfood,herbsandtools.
ElCuartodeRecibo
ReceptionRoom
Locateddirectlyadjacenttothelargeentryzaguán,theReceptionRoomwouldhave
beentherealmofthemanofthehouse.TheRanchowasfarmorethanahomeand
servedasthecenterofabusinessenterprisethatincludedfarming,raisinglivestock,
productionofwoolproductsincludingwoventextiles,stakesinminingendeavors
andthetradingoflocalandimportedgoodsontheCaminoReal.Therewasaneed
forspacetoworkandfortransactionsofawidevarietytotakeplace,precious
commoditiestobesortedandstored,visitorstobereceivedandhousedand
documentstobepreparedandguarded.HeretheRanchoowner,Ranchero,could
greetvisitorsarrivingattheparajefromtheirjourney.Hishonoredguestswouldbe
offeredhousinginthisroomwhichadjoinedthefamilylivingquarters—rolledhides
andtextilescouldbespreadoutforguestsorusedbytheRanchoownerwhenhe
wishedtohaveprivacyfromtherestofhisfamily.Herehemightworklateintothe
nightgoingoverhisaccountsorpreparingotherimportantdocuments.Fromhere
hemightalsogivehisworkerstheirassignmentsorprovidethemwiththeirpayin
theformofcommoditiesoftherealm.SincehemightbetheonlyoneintheRancho
whowasabletoreadorwrite,hewouldhaveusedthisspacetohouseprecious
booksortowriteuponhisescritorio(desk),wherehealsokeptimportantpapers.
Heapedabouttheroomwouldbespecialgoodsthatwereintransition—either
comingfromorgoingtoMexicoproper.SincetheRanchoproducedsurpluswoolen
goods,hewasinapositiontobeinvolvedinthemerchanttradebyexchanginghis
surplusforsuchthingsasthenewlyarrivedluxurygoodsortools--thingsthatcould
laterbesoldorbarteredtoaddtotheincomeoftheRancho.Ingeneral,thisentry
roomservedasthemainoffice,specialstorageandguestroomfortheRancho.The
roomalsobufferedtherestofthefamilyfromthegeneralcomingsandgoingsof
non-familymembersandarrivingstrangers.
• Animalhideswereusedasbeddingandfloorcoveringaswellasdoor
coverings.Inaddition,woolenmattress-likebagswerecommonlyusedas
bothbeddingandseating.
• WritingdeskswerebasedupontheSpanishvargueñowhichwasaseparate
chestsittinguponatable.Smallerboxeswithdrawersandahingedfront
writingsurfacewereoftenreferredtoasescritoriosandcouldbetransported
forusebytheliterateandwell-to-do.Eventhoughinkwasconstantlyin
shortsupply,notariesandscribesplayedanessentialroleinthe
documentingoflegalaffairsinthecolony.Oftenlackingtheirservices,local
alcaldes(mayors)orothereducatedindividualssuchasourRancherowould
fulfillthisrole.EspeciallyimportantdocumentsweresentbacktoMexico
CitytobeenteredintotheNotarialArchives.Documentssuchasthese,as
wellasecclesiasticalreports,haveprovideduswithinformationaboutlifeon
thefarfrontierofNorthernNewSpain.Inventoriesofgoodsbeing
transportedtoandfromthecolonywerekeptasmuchforthegovernment—
sothatgoodscouldbetaxed—asforthemerchant.
• Asareceptionroomforthemerchant/rancherthisroomwouldholdgoods
eithercomingorgoing.Thesix-boardchestwasusedfortransportaswellas
forstorage—itwouldberaisedoffthefloor.Wovenleatherchestswere
madeinMexicoproperandinothercoloniesaswell,theywereusedforboth
thetransportofgoodsandforstorage.Achairforspecialvisitorsandforthe
Ranchoowner’susewouldrepresentanotherexampleofstatusandwealth.
• Therearepilesofwoolengoodsbeingsetasideinthisroominpreparation
fortrade.OtherimportanttradegoodsforthisRanchomightbetrained
mules,horsesandoxenneededforthejourney.Thesemightbetradedfor
somethingraretothecolonysuchasirontoolsorevenchocolate,abook,ora
boltofsilk.
• Theowner’sroommightalsoincludetheluxurygoodsusedtoservesuchas
pewter,silver,orglass.
• Lightingforhistaskswouldincludeprecioustallowcandlesandpossiblyoil
lamps.
• TherewaslittletonohardcurrencyincirculationinNewMexicoduringthis
period.Thiswasfurthercomplicatedbymonedasimaginarias(illusory
moneys)inventedbydishonestmerchantstodeceivecolonistsandnatives.
Thisconsistedof4differentkindsofpesostoconfuseconsumers.Silverpesos
werevaluedat8reales,deproyecto(inflatedpesos)werevaluedat6reales,
oldpesoswerevaluedat4realesandlatierra(commonpesos)valuedat2
reales.However,colonistshadacomplexsystemofbarterwithaclear
understandingofhowmuchsomethingwasworth,intermsofsilverpesos,
andwhatcombinationofgoodsinreturnforsomethingwouldbeconsidered
sufficientpayment.Belowareafewexamplesofvaluesfrom1776inthe
SantaFearea:
o Fanega(100poundsor1.5bushels)ofwheatormaize:4pesos
o Fanegaofchickpeas:12pesos
o Fanegaofanyotherlegume:8pesos
o Cowwithcalf:25pesos
o Cowwithoutcalf:20pesos
o Wildbull:15pesos
o Tamebulltrainedunderyoke:20pesos
o Tameox:25pesos
o Yearlingcalf:6pesos
o Otherlivestock(sheep,ewe,goat):2pesos
o Fowl:4reales(halfofapeso)
o Mulefemale:40pesos
o Mulemale:30pesos
o Donkey(maleandfemale):100pesosormoredependingonanimal
o Horse(maleandfemale):100pesosormoredependingonanimal
o 1varaoflinen:2pesos
o 1poundofchocolate:2pesos
o 1poundofsugar:1peso
o 1pairofshoes:2pesos
o 1deerskin:2pesos
o 1fatpig:12pesos
o 20eggs:1peso
o 1ristraofchile:2pesosinRioArriba,1pesoinRioAbajo
o 4fleecesofwool:2pesosinRioArriba,1pesoinRioAbajo
ElCuartodeFamiliaFamilyRoom
ThisroomwasamongthemostprotectedlocationsintheRanchosinceitwas
enteredonlybypassingthroughtheentrycuarto(room)orbythetorreón(tower)
room.Thiswastheinnersanctumruledbytheladyofthehousewhereshestored
herpreciousthingsandraisedherchildren.Assuch,itischaracterizedbytheuseof
avarietyoftextilesforwarmth,comfortanddecorationandwouldbethespot
wherewomenwouldgathertoworkandsocialize.Alongthewallsareadobebancos
(benches)usedforbothsleepingandseating,asarethelargerollsofbeddingthat
arespreadoutatnight.Duringtheday,thesecomfortablesofa-likerollswerethe
spotthatwomencoulduseforseatingandloungingastheyworked.Someofthese
lowseatingareasorestradoswereexceptionallylushwithsoftmattresses,pillows
andtextiles.Liketheentryroom,asmallfireplaceprovidedheatandcouldbeused
forsomemodestcookingalthoughmostoftheseriousfoodpreparationtookplace
inthekitchen.Servantswouldservethefamilyitsmealsinthisroomastheysat
upontheirrollsofbeddingoruponlowstools.Thechestssoubiquitoustothe
entireRanchowerenotonlyforstoragebutcouldalsobeusedforservingandas
worksurfaces.Littleotherfurnituregracedtheroomalthoughachairortwomight
bereservedforspecialguests.Analtarareaintheroomwasmaintainedforthe
family’sprivateworship.Aboveamodesttablewerestackedreligiousimagesthat
mimictheformofthemoreelaboratealtarsandaltarpiecestobefoundinthe
churchesintown.SomelargeRanchoshadtheirownsmallchapelsthatcouldserve
thefamilyandneighboringcolonists.Smallwindowswithaformofglazingmadeof
seleniteormicaallowedsomelighttoenterwhilelargerwindowswithshutters
facedtheinteriorcourtyard.
• HangingblanketsandexamplesofNewMexicanweaving,whichwouldbe
broughtdownatnightforwarmthandhungduringthedayforsafekeeping.
• Woolenmattress,madefromjerga(utilitarianweaving)andstuffedwith
woolfleecearethroughouttheroomandusedforsleepingandsitting.
• Altarareawithretablos(paintingonwoodofareligiousfigure),bultos(wood
statueofreligiousfigure)andotherpersonalreligiousparaphernaliabeing
usedasaprivatedevotionalareawhichhasafinecolchaembroideredaltar
clothcoveringthetable(colchameansbedcoveringbutinthiscasecolcha
referstoNewMexicanembroidery,whichutilizesacouchingstitchcalledthe
colchastitch).Retablosarestackedandplacedinamannerthatreflectsthe
arrangementsoflargeraltarscreens.Saintsdepictedwouldhavebeenfrom
thepantheonofFranciscansaintsaswellasthosethatmightbepersonalto
thefamily.ColonialNewMexicodidnothaveanofficialPatronSaintbuta
fewofthemanyreligiousfigurescommonlyprayedtobySpanishcolonists
wereSanFranciscodeAsis(SaintFrancisofAssisi),SanPablo(SaintPaul),
SanIsidro(SaintIsidore),SantoNiñodeAtocha(HolyChildofAtocha)and
variousavocationsoftheBlessedVirginincludingNuestraSeñorade
Guadalupe(OurLadyofGuadalupe)andNuestraSeñoradelSantísimoRosario
(OurLadyoftheMostHolyRosary).
• Women’sfineclothing,suchasrebozos(shawls),wouldbestoredinchests.
• Infrontofthefireplacewomenwouldgathertodotheirwork—amalacate
(spindle)andembroideryinprocesscanbeseen.
• Asmalltableisbeingusedinthegeneralhearthareaandthefamilywould
havehadanumberofwoolenmattressesbeingusedasseatingbytheladies
ofthehouse.
• Claycandleholderswithtallowcandlesprovidelightfortheworkbeing
done.
TorreónyZaguánalTorreónTowerandTowerEntranceRoom
TorreoneswereacommonsightthroughoutNorthernNewMexicoduringthe
SpanishColonialperiod.Colonistswereresponsiblefordefendingthemselves,as
thesoldiersofthepresidio(fort)couldnotbenotifiedintimetoprotecttheirfellow
citizens.ThesetowersprovidedaplacefortheSpanishtoretreatwhileunder
attack.
Thesemultipurposestructureswerealsousedforstoringfood,water,tackand
weaponsusedinthedefenseoftheRancho.Thisparticulartorreónisbuiltintothe
Ranchocomplexbutmanywerealsoconstructedasstand-alonetowersina
strategicallydefensiblepositionofferingexpansiveviews.Ontheupperlevel,a
sentinelstoodwatchandwasreadytowarnothersofapproachingdangerbyany
meansavailableincludingblowingahorn,beatingadrum,shoutingorringingabell.
Fieldworkerswouldruntotheprotectionofthewalledplacitawhileotherswould
entertheTorreóntofightofftheenemy.Raidingwastypicallydonebyboththe
Spanishandnativetribesinordertoobtainneededsupplies,animalsandcaptives
butnotasamatterofabsoluteextermination.Attackswereusuallyoverasquickly
astheystartedandmayhaveresultedininjury,deathorcaptivity.
OnesuchattackisdocumentedastakingplaceinLaCiénegainthewritingsof
Franciscanpriest,FrayFranciscoAtanasioDominguez.OnThursdayJune20th1776,
apartyofComanchewarriorsattackedranchosinLaCiénegakillingninemenand
boysandtakingtwoyoungchildrencaptive.AntonioSandovál,theownerofEl
RanchodelasGolondrinas,losthis19yearoldsonJoseSandoválandnephew
SantiagoMascareñas,whowerekilledastheytendedcrops.Scenessuchasthis
weretypicalonthenorthernfrontierasuneasyrelationsresultedintragedieson
bothsides.
• Weaponsstoredinthetorreónincludedescopetas(Spanishmuskets),lances,
swordsandbows.Colonistswouldusewhatevertheyhadattheirdisposalto
defendthemselves.GunpowderwasconstantlyinshortsupplyfromMexico
andtheSpanishoftenusedbows,arrowsandlances.Barrelscontainedwhat
littlegunpowdertheRanchopossessed.
• Horsetackwasstoredhereaswell.Saddles,bridlesandblanketshangon
thewalls.Straps,rope,andcincheswereoftenmadefromhorsehair,which
producedsuperiorreinsaswell.
• Anaparejoisstoredhere.Aparejosarepackpadsaddlesthatgooverthe
backsofdonkeysandmulestoformthebaseofthepackingsystemand
protecttheanimalfrominjury.Largeatajos(caravans)ofpackmulesand
donkeyswouldtraveltheCaminoRealcarryinggoodsandinthe19thcentury
wouldtravelwesttoCaliforniaandnorthasfarasWyoming.Arrieros
(muleteers)wereresponsibleforpackingandtakingcareoftheanimals.
ThisentiresystemofpackingwaspassedontotheSpanishfromtheMoors
ofNorthAfricaandwasaguild-controlledprofessioninSpain.
LaDespensa/DispensaPantry
InfrequentwagontrainsfromMexico,droughtandraidsmadeitimperativetotake
rigorousmeasurestostoreandstockprovisions.Starvationwasaveryreal
possibilityandtimesoffaminewouldstalkthefledglingcolony.Wildgamewasan
indispensablesourceofprotein.Largeflocksofsheepwereimportantforsurvival
andforrevenue.Corn,beansandsquashprovidedthemostimportantfoodstuffs
andthesewerestoredingreatabundancebythecolonistandguardedinthe
Despensa(pantry)frombothpestsandhumansalike.Preservationoffoodwas
limitedtosalting,smokinganddrying—canningwastocomemuchlater.Seed
storagewasanothersignificantusefortheDespensa.ColonistsinNewMexico
wouldlooktotheirPuebloneighborswhentheyhadfailedtoadequatelyharvest
sufficientquantitiesoffood.Thesesupplieswereeitheracquiredthroughthe
encomiendasystem(mandatorytributeandlabor)ortakenbyoutrightforce,which
oftenresultedinstarvationforthePueblos.
• Driedfoodsuchaschileandcornarestoredhere.Theyareboth
hangingasristrasandpiledintosacks.
• Containersofseedsarestoredhereandusedforplantinginthe
spring.SeedsavingwasanimportantaspectofSpanishColonial
agriculture.Thefinestspecimensofvegetableswouldhavebeen
selected,driedandtheseedsremoved.
• Thisroomalsoservesasthestoragespaceforagricultural
implementsofthefieldsuchasrakes,diggingsticks,hoes,andsifters
forgrain.
• Measuringcontainersforgrains:fanega,almudandcuartilla.Afanega
constitutedthestandardSpanishvolumetricunitfordry
measurement.Afanegaofdrycornwasequivalenttoapproximately
100poundsofgrainor1.5bushels.Analmudisone-quarterofa
fanega.Thecuartillais1/12thofanalmudand1/48thofafanega.
• Barrelsareinthisroomforfoodstoragesuchasdriedgrainsand
saltedmeat.Thebasketswouldhavebeenusedforgatheringfruits
andharvestingvegetables.
• Driedfruitsandvegetablescouldincludeapricots,peaches,apples
raisins,peas,beans,onionsandgarlic,alsomelonandsquash—such
aswatermelon,andpumpkin.
• Freshvegetablesincludetomatoes,cabbage,onion,lettuce,radishes.
• Driedgrains—cornandwheatarestoredintheharineros(grain
chestsorbins).
• Glassandpotteryvesselsareforthestorageofoils,wine,brandy,
vinegar,andtallow.
• Luxurygoodsandfoodstuffssuchasolives,chocolate,sugarand
tobaccowouldbestoredhereforsafekeeping.
• Driedandcuringmeatssuchasvenison,sheepandbuffalowould
hangfromthevigas.
• Driedherbshangfrompolesandmaterialsforfoodpreservationsuch
assaltarekeptdryhere.
TalleresdeHilaryTejerWeavingandSpinningRooms
In1540,thefirstsheepwerebroughttoNewMexicowithFranciscoVasquez
Coronado’sexpedition.Theyweredrivenalongwiththeexpeditionandusedto
feedthesoldiersduringtheirtwo-yearexplorationoftheSouthwest.Withthe
SpanishcolonizationofNewMexicoin1598,sheepwereutilizedasmorethanjust
food.HerdsofchurrosheepwerebroughtnorthfromMexicoandraisedonthe
plainsofthenorthernfrontierfortheirwool.Weaversknowledgeableintreadle
loomsanddyeingproducedfinishedproductsthatsustainedthecolony.By1638,
weavingappearstohavedevelopedbeyondlocalconsumptionasNewMexico
GovernorLuisdeRosawasproducingwoolengoodsinSantaFeworkshopsfor
tradewiththerestofNewSpainformuchneededgoods.PuebloIndiansalready
hadatraditionofgrowing,spinningandweavingcotton.Intheearly17thcentury,
PuebloslearnedhowtousewoolfromtheSpanishwhilestillusingtheirtraditional
uprightlooms.WoolquicklybecameintegraltoPuebloweavingtraditionsthatwas
laterpassedontotheNavajo.Asflocksgrewthesheepthemselves,which
flourishedontheNewMexicoplains,weredrivensouthforbarterandsale.Flocks
continuedtogrowinthefollowingcenturies,asdidtheproductionofwooland
woolengoods.AuthoritiesinNewSpainrecognizedtheimportanceofthesheep
tradeandwoolproductiontoNewMexico’seconomy.Themarketwasgreatly
expandedwithMexicanIndependencein1821andtheopeningoftheSantaFeTrail
thatsameyear.By1840,itwasreportedthat20,000RioGrandeblanketsweresold
inMexico.TradewithCaliforniaofferedanevengreaterboostaswool,woven
goodsandsheepmadetheirwayfromNewMexicototheWestCoast.In1853,Kit
Carsondrove6,500sheepfromTaostoSacramento.Bytheearly20thcentury,the
sheepandwoolindustryhaddeclinedgreatlybecauseofcheapgoodsbroughtby
therailroad,overgrazingandthelossofgrazinglands.Despitethis,wovengoods
figureprominentlyinNewMexico’sculturalandartisticheritagetoday.
ThesethreeroomsshowhowtheSpanishcolonistscarded,spunandwovewoolto
makerugsforthefloor,blanketsforthebedandhorsesandclothingincluding
serapes(blanketsorshawlswornbymen)andrebozos(shawlswornbywomen).
Wool,wovengoodsandsheepwerethemostimportantcommodityandexportfrom
NewMexicobesidesslaves.Woolcouldbeleftasitsnaturalcolororpreparedwith
naturaldyes.Dyestuffsweretypicallygrownontheranchbutbrilliantbluessuchas
indigoandrichredssuchascochinealwereimportedfromMexicoontheCamino
Real.
• Theloomsareallcontemporaryorreproductionsandonlythelargefour-
harnessbeamloomisanaccuratereproductionofaRioGrandeloom.These
loomsweremultipleharness“walking”beamlooms,meaningthatthe
weaverstoodwhileweavingandoperatingthetreadles,essentially“walking”
onthetreadles.
• Spinningwasalmostexclusivelydonebymalacate(spindle).Theweightsor
whorlsforthesespindleswereoftenfashionedfrombrokenpottery.A
varietyofspinningtechniqueswereemployedincludingthedropmethod
whichcouldbedonewhilewalkingorstanding,thethighmethodwhichwas
donewhilesittingandalsothemethodofusingabowltosupportthespindle
whichwasalsodonewhileseated.Therewasacertainpracticalitytousing
malacatesinthattheywereeasilytransportableandcouldbeused
anywhere.Itisinterestingtonotethatcardingandspinningwastypically
donebywomenandcaptives,whileweavingwaspredominantlydoneby
men.
• Therewereruecas(spinningwheels)buttheseweremuchlesscommondue
totheirexpense,sizeandthematerialandtoolsrequiredtomakethem.The
ruecaseenintheSpinningRoomisacontemporarydescendentofthe
SpanishcolonialruecaandisstillusedinMexicotoday.Characteristictraits
ofthistypeofruecaareahorizontalbenchandsmallwheelturnedbya
handleattachedtoitscenter.ThiswasquitedifferentfromtheScottish
walkingwheelsthathaveasteeplyangledbenchandalargewheelastallas
theoperator.
• Othertoolsoftheweaverincludeweavingbattenstoseparatethewarpshed
andfacilitateaddingyarntotheweftpattern.Shuttleswhichholdyardand
areshapedtoeasilyslidethroughtheshedsofyarnwhenoperatingatreadle
loom.Cardingcombsusedtoseparatewoolfibersinpreparationfor
spinning.Skeinwindersusedforpreparingandmeasuringspunwoolin
preparationforweavingorsale.
ElCuartodelosCautivosylosCriados
TheCaptives’andServants’Room
Thehistoryofslavery,captivity,peonageandservitudeinNewMexicoisalongand
difficultstory.Theearliestyearsofthecolony’shistoryinvolvedasystemcalled
encomienda,ademandfortributegoodsandlaborusedthroughoutthecolonial
world.Giventheespeciallyharshconditionsoflifeonthefarnorthernfrontierof
NewMexico,theencomiendaalongwithdiseaseandotherabusesledtothePueblo
Revoltof1680.Theencomiendasystemwaseventuallyabandonedafterthereturn
ofSpanishcolonistsunderDonDiegodeVargas,howeversomeaspectsofthe
tributesystemcontinued.Againstthisbackdrop,therewasalsothewidespread
practiceofraidingandstealingofhumans—especiallywomenandchildren—being
practicedbymanytribalgroupsandthecolonists.Thegreatvalueofthishuman
capitalcanbeparsedfromtradereportscitingslavessoldinMexicoproperand
thosesoldwerehighpricedcommodities.Oneofthetermsgivenforthosewho
wereseparatedfromtheirtribeswasgenízaro(detribalizedNativeAmericans).By
someestimatesalmostone-thirdofthepopulationoftheareaconsistedofpeople
withsomeformofmixedancestryand/orseparationfromtheiroriginalpeople
throughcaptivity,slaveryandpeonage.InourprosperousRanchoitislikelythat
captiveswerepurchasedthroughbarterandthen“rescued”inafictiveformof
salvationcalledrescatewherecaptiveswerebaptizedbythechurchand“saved”by
theirownersthusavoidingthelawsthatforbadeslavery.Thelivesofthese
individualswereverymuchdependentontheluckofthedraw—theycouldbeused
harshlyorbroughtintothefamilyinamodestwaybutstilltheirlaborandcarewas
atthediscretionoftheirowners.Eventhoughthecolonywasfarfromcentersof
power,thiswasahighlystratifiedsocietywhereservantsandslaveshadfewrights
whilevecinos(citizens)andthehighestlevels—theDonsandDoñas(honorific
titles)—weregivenaccesstolegalandeconomicbenefits.Unlikethechattelsystem
ofslaveryintheAmericanSouth,thechildrenofthiscolony’sslavescouldmake
theirwayintheworldandextraordinaryindividualswereknowntohavebartered
theirabilitiestobecomeprosperousandwell-regarded.Intime,throughavenues
suchastherescateandotherkinshipalliances,tribalandmixedheritageindividuals
becamepartoftheoverallpopulationandtheirpasthidden—insimilarfashionto
cryptoJews.FewoftheslavesorpeonsofthiscolonywereofAfricanheritage.In
termsofmarriage,“Captiveshadlimitedopportunitiestoachievesociallyapproved
marriages…theoretically,acaptivegainedfreedombymarrying.Thisnaturallygave
ownersstrongmotivationforpreventingmarriage.Infactthesmallnumberof
marriagesthatoccurredshowshowsuccessfulownerswereatpreventingmarriage.
Whatformalcontrolownershadinthismatterisnotknown,butwhatever
pressurestheybroughttobearwereeffective.Socialattitudeswereperhapsof
importanceandthestigmaofmarryingacaptivemayhavebeenenoughto
discouragethesemarriages.”(Brugge,“NavajosintheCatholicChurchRecordsof
NewMexico1694-1875”,p.117,125).ServantsandpeonscouldbefellowSpanish
colonists.Menservinginthemilitia,withnootheroption,oftenresortedtoselling
theirchildrenintopeonageinordertoaffordtoequipthemselvesfortherequired
termofservice.Aslateas1868,theUnitedStatesgovernmentformallyfreedwell
over300individualsfrompeonageandslaveryinNewMexico.Humantraffickingin
NewMexicowasintense,wentonforcenturies,andhadaprofoundeffectuponall
levelsofthepopulation.
AttheRancho,theservantsandslaveswouldhavelikelysleptinthekitchenorin
theirworkingquarters.InthecaptivesroomyouseethatawomanofNavajo
originsisusingherknowledgeofweavingtomaketextilesthatcouldbebartered
forothergoods.Otherwomenandchildrenwouldsharethisroomwithher.Their
sleeping/workingquartersarenotmarkedlydifferentfromthoseoftherestofthe
familybutallthatyouseewouldhavebelongedtotheownerfamilyandnottothe
peonorslave.Ingeneralthisroomhasfewobjectsofcomfortandvalueindicating
thestatusoftheindividualswhoresidehere.
Thelargebasket-likecratesalongthebackwallareholdingrawwooltobecarded
orspun.ThesetypesofcrateswerecommoninNewSpainandwouldhavecomeup
theCaminoRealtoNewMexicoloadedwithgoodsonacaravan.Insteadof
disposingofthemthecolonistswouldhaverepurposedthemasyouseehere.Other
workthatmaybedoneinthisroomisthecardingandspinningofwool.Grinding
wouldhavebeendoneusingthemanoandmetatewithcornorwheatcomingfrom
theharinero.TheRanchowouldneedasmanymetatesgoingaspossibleandthe
preparedgrainwouldbeaddedtowhatwasalreadygroundinthekitchen.
• Openbasket-likeboxesorcratesareusedtostoretherawmaterialsofthe
weaver.
• Likeotherrooms,theservantsorslaveshavearolledjergamattressthatis
usedforbothsleepingandsitting.
• Thetextileontheuprightloomisbeingmadeusingthetechniquesand
designsofearlyNavajoweavings.Thistypeofverticalloomisanative
design.Evensmallerloomsofsimilardesignwereportableandareknown
asback-straplooms.
• NavajorugsandHispanicweavingsaredisplayedonhangingpoles.These
wouldbepulleddownatnightforbeddingorusedduringthedayforseating.
• Asmallfireplaceprovideswarmthandlight.
• Amanoandmetateintheroomwouldbeusedbythecaptiveorother
servants,spendingmuchoftheirtimepreparingcornmealorwheatflour.
• Storageofgrainadjacentintheharinerowasaconvenienceforthewoman
workingatthemetate.
• Theonlylightsourcefortheworkerswouldhavebeendaylightthroughthe
opendoororthelightofthefireatnight.Precioustallowcandlesoroil
lampswouldhavebeenreservedfortheuseoftheRanchoowner’sfamily.