Nación Genízara - (Querencias) by Moises Gonzales & Enrique R Lamadrid (Hardcover)

About the Book

Nación Genízara examines the history, cultural evolution, and survival of the Genízaro people.

Book Synopsis

Nación Genízara examines the history, cultural evolution, and survival of the Genízaro people. The contributors to this volume cover topics including ethnogenesis, slavery, settlements, poetics, religion, gender, family history, and mestizo genetics. Fray Angélico Chávez defined Genízaro as the ethnic term given to indigenous people of mixed tribal origins living among the Hispano population in Spanish fashion. They entered colonial society as captives taken during wars with Utes, Apaches, Comanches, Kiowas, Navajos, and Pawnees. Genízaros comprised a third of the population by 1800. Many assimilated into Hispano and Pueblo society, but others in the land-grant communities maintained their identity through ritual, self-government, and kinship.

Today the persistence of Genízaro identity blurs the lines of distinction between Native and Hispanic frameworks of race and cultural affiliation. This is the first study to focus exclusively on the detribalized Native experience of the Genízaro in New Mexico.

Review Quotes

Editors Moises Gonzales and Enrique R. Lamadrid have crafted a landmark volume on the history, culture, and contemporary valences of these peoples. . . . This impressive collection of essays brings us that much closer to understanding the often painfully complicated lives and richly complex heritage that grows ever more vital among the descendants of those children [of war].--James F. Brooks, Journal of American Ethnic History

The edited volume provides multi- and interdisciplinary approaches to the history, memorialization, cultural practices, art, language, socioeconomic status, and archaeology of Genízaros in New Mexico and southern Colorado from the eighteenth century until the present day. . . . Most importantly, the volume clearly shows that prior claims that Genízaro identity and culture were lost after 1821 are false and, instead, documents a complicated, and vibrant ongoing history and an active present-day community.--Rebecca Brückmann, H-Net

This book is a worthy read for everyone researching New Mexican ancestry and for those who value learning about the complex New Mexican historical narrative.--Mary Penner, New Mexico Genealogist

This thought-provoking anthology is about an often misunderstood and underappreciated aspect of Southwestern history.--Jesús F. de la Teja, Catholic Southwest: A Journal of History and Culture

Underscoring the rootedness of place and the importance of resistance in the persistence and continuation of Genízaro cultural identity, this work stands at the forefront of Genízaro scholarship. Highly recommended.--G. R Campbell, Choice

About the Author

Moises Gonzales is an associate professor of urban design in community and regional planning in the School of Architecture and Planning at the University of New Mexico. He currently serves on the board of trustees of the Carnué Land Grant and has written various articles on the history and culture of Genízaro settlements.

Enrique R. Lamadrid is a distinguished professor emeritus of Spanish at the University of New Mexico. He is the editor of the Querencias Series at the University of New Mexico Press.