Tortugas, New Mexico facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tortugas, New Mexico
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 Tortugas, New Mexico
Location in New Mexico
Tortugas, New Mexico
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  New Mexico |
| County | Doña Ana |
| Founded | 1852 |
| Elevation | 3,904 ft (1,190 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 579 |
| Time zone | UTC−07:00 (Mountain) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−06:00 (DST) |
| GNIS feature ID | 2806700 |
Tortugas, New Mexico is a small, special community. It's also known as Tortugas Pueblo. You can find it in Doña Ana County, New Mexico, right next to the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico. In 2020, about 579 people lived there.
Contents
Where is Tortugas Located?
Tortugas is found just south of New Mexico State University. It's also near Interstate 10, a major highway.
The community is close to an old bend in the Rio Grande river. This type of bend is called an oxbow. Long ago, many turtles lived in this part of the river. That's why the community is named "Tortugas," which means "turtles" in Spanish!
The Rich History of Tortugas Pueblo
How Tortugas Was Founded
Tortugas was first established in 1852. The area, often called Tortugas Pueblo, was land given to members of the Piro, Manso, and Tiwa tribes in Las Cruces.
Original Villages and Tribal Connections
Originally, Tortugas was made up of two Native villages. These were the Pueblo of Guadalupe and the Pueblo of San Juan de Guadalupe. Many people living in Tortugas today are part of these tribes. They are also descendants of other tribes from the area. These include the Jumanos, Sumas, Apaches, Conchos, and Rarámuri.
Even though the Manso Indians are sometimes thought to be extinct, they are an important part of the Tortugas community. Before the Spanish arrived, the Manso people lived in the area. Their land stretched from present-day Las Cruces down the Rio Grande to Juarez, Mexico.
The Pueblo Revolt and New Settlements
After the Pueblo Revolt, many Native allies of the Spanish moved south. Native people who were enslaved by the Spanish, called genizaros, also traveled south. They went from Santa Fe to Paso del Norte, which is now El Paso. Missions were built there for Native people to attend.
The Tiwa (or Tigua) people from Isleta Pueblo and Piro people from near Socorro, New Mexico also moved into the area. Many people in Tortugas are also descendants of Ysleta del Sur Pueblo. This pueblo in Texas was also created after the Pueblo Revolt.
Keeping Traditions Alive
Even though Tortugas is not officially recognized by the federal government, it has kept its Native culture strong. The community has worked hard to maintain its traditions. It has grown into a thriving place where different tribes come together. The current leader, called a cacique, is Patrick Narvaez.
Tortugas Pueblo Fiesta of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Tortugas is famous for its special celebration. It's called the Tortugas Pueblo Fiesta of Our Lady of Guadalupe. This feast day happens every year from December 10-12. It mixes Native traditions with Catholic influences.
During the ceremony, four dance groups perform. These include the Pueblo Indian dancers, the Danzantes, the Danzantes Guadalupana, and the Danzantes Chichimecas. The last two groups perform matachines dances.
Education in Tortugas
Students in Tortugas attend schools that are part of Las Cruces Public Schools.
