History

• The Jumano Indians are a Native American tribe residing primarily in the Southwestern United States. Though a nomadic tribe, they left an archeological trail across Texas and New Mexico suggesting these areas were their home. Jumanos were traders by profession leading to their close relationships with other tribes and early explorers. These external relationships greatly affected the rituals of the Jumano Indians. Jumano history indicates belief in dreams and visions coupled with the addition of Christianity, specifically the Catholic faith.
  
  

Significance

• In early days, when the Spanish invaded these southern territories, Catholic priests and their followers were so influential they were viewed as almost a form of government. In fact, Spanish government, from afar, dictated the conversion of Indian tribes to Catholicism. This influenced the rituals of the Jumano Indians and shaped an area and belief still present today. The rituals practiced by the early Native Americans played a significant part in the heritage of this region.
  
  

Types

• The Blue Lady courtesy of http://www.geocities.com/nephilimnot/agreda.html
  
  The rituals of the Jumano Indians in early times revolved around religion and the earth. The Jumanos were cited in numerous documents as believers in the "Blue Lady." They told of visions in which a woman preached to them in their tongue about Christianity. This vision is identified by scholars as Sister Marie de Jesus Agreda, a Franciscan nun persecuted in Spain for her tales of visions. Sister Agreda also told of visions of preaching to Indians in their native language. Experts are still dumbfounded by the tales of people who met only in visions yet vividly describe each other.
  The Jumanos also used what is now identified as a mild hallucinate in their rituals. Peyote, a cactus native to this area, had medicinal and what they believed were spiritual qualities. Archeologists found evidence of Peyote used in burial rituals and in ancient buildings.
  
  

Time Frame

• Actual documentation of the rituals of the Jumano Indians, done by the Spanish, began in the mid to late 1500's. Historical reference continues through the early 1700's. However, their nomadic ways and other elements caused deterioration of the tribe to almost non existence during the 1600's. Small numbers survived to keep the tribe recognizable.
  
  

Theories/Speculation

• The Jumano Indians unknowingly covered their historic trail by their nomadic ways. Their wandering left little concrete evidence and their joining with other tribes hindered their identification. Experts argue their existence. Some insist Jumano and it's derivatives reference other tribes (perhaps in a slang nature). Others hold to their beliefs the Jumanos were their own tribe diminished by their nomadic ways. Spanish documentation exists evidencing the use of the term Jumano.