Teypana facts for kids

Teypana (sometimes spelled “Teypama”) was the very first village to be called Socorro. This ancient Piro village was located near where the town of Socorro, New Mexico is today.

In 1598, a Spanish explorer named Juan de Oñate and his group were traveling through the area. The people of Teypana were very kind and gave them food and water. Because of this helpful act, Oñate named the village “Socorro.” In Spanish, “Socorro” means “help” or “aid.”

Over time, the name “Socorro” became linked to another Piro village called Pilabó. This village was the site of the first permanent mission in the Piro lands and is now buried under the modern town of Socorro, New Mexico.

What Does Teypana Mean?

Some people have said that “Teypana” means “village flower” in the Piro language. However, we don't know much about the Piro language today. Only small parts of it still exist. Because of this, the true meaning of the name "Teypana," and many other old Piro place names, is still a mystery.

Where Was Teypana Located?

In 1598, it was thought that Teypana was on the west side of the Rio Grande river. It was located downriver from the Pilabó village. This information comes from an old list of Piro villages, but the list might have some mistakes.

A researcher named Michael Bletzer has been digging at a site near Luis Lopez, New Mexico. He believes that this site is where the Teypana village once stood. His work helps us learn more about these ancient communities.