Tiwa languages facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tiwa |
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|---|---|
| Tigua | |
| Ethnicity: | Tiwa |
| Geographic distribution: |
4 Pueblos throughout New Mexico, Arizona, Ysleta del Sur Pueblo in El Paso, Texas |
| Linguistic classification: | Tanoan
|
| Subdivisions: |
Northern (Taos, Picuris)
Piro? †
|
Tiwa (pronounced TEE-wah) is the name for a group of languages spoken by the Tiwa people. These people are part of the Pueblo communities in the U.S. state of New Mexico. The Tiwa languages belong to a larger group called Tanoan. There are at least two main Tiwa languages, and possibly a third one that is now extinct.
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Understanding the Tiwa Language Family
The Tiwa language family has different parts, like branches on a tree. These branches are spoken in various Pueblo communities.
Southern Tiwa Language
The Southern Tiwa language is spoken by about 1,600 people. You can hear it in places like Isleta Pueblo and Sandia Pueblo. It is also spoken in Ysleta del Sur Pueblo, which is sometimes called Tigua Pueblo.
Northern Tiwa Languages
The other main group is called Northern Tiwa. This group includes two different languages:
- Taos language: This language is spoken by around 800 people in Taos Pueblo.
- Picuris language: About 220 people speak Picuris in Picuris Pueblo.
The Piro Language: A Mystery
There was once a language called Piro. It is now extinct, meaning no one speaks it anymore. Experts are not sure if Piro was part of the Tiwa language family or a separate one.
A Brief Look at Tiwa History
The Tiwa people have a rich history, especially after a big event called the Pueblo Revolt.
The Pueblo Revolt and Movement South
In 1680, the Pueblo people, including some Tiwa and Piro communities, stood up against the Spanish explorers and soldiers, known as conquistadors. After this important event, some Tiwa and Piro people moved south with the Spanish. They went to an area that is now near Ciudad Juárez, Mexico.
New Communities in the South
In this new southern area, they started new communities. These included Ysleta del Sur in Texas, Socorro in Texas, and Senecú del Sur in Mexico. Descendants of these Tiwa and Piro people continued to live in these communities as recently as 1996.
