essay

Keresan Pueblo law

law in culture and societyChicago • Published In 1969 • Pages: 92-116, 419-438

By: Hoebel, E. Adamson (Edward Adamson).

Abstract
Hoebel writes about Keresan law. Zia are one of several Keresan pueblos in western New Mexico, including Cochiti, Santo Domingo, and San Felipe on the Rio Grande; Acoma and Laghuna, west of Albuquerque; and Santa Ana and Sia (Zia) on the Jemez River north of Albuquerque. Most of the research for this article was done in the pueblos of Zia (Sia) and Santa Ana. There is no private law. Clans and lineages have no role in the legal process. All cases are brought before the governor and a council comprised of the heads of secret societies. The basic legal principle of the pueblo is that all members are obligated to participate in activities that maintain the community, such as collective hunts, cleaning and repairing irrigation ditches, cultivating the governor's field, dancing at the fiesta, and sweeping the village plaza. Other crimes are adultery and witchcraft. Sanctions can be quite severe and involve hanging violators up by their hands, whippings, banishment, and in the past, execution.
Subjects
External relations
Sanctions
Judicial authority
Trial procedure
Cosmology
culture
Zia Pueblo
HRAF PubDate
2004
Region
North America
Sub Region
Southwest and Basin
Document Type
essay
Evaluation
Creator Type
Ethnologist
Document Rating
4: Excellent Secondary Data
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
Ian Skoggard ; 2002
Field Date
1943-1950
Coverage Date
1889
Coverage Place
western New Mexico, United States
Notes
E. Adamson Hoebel
Includes bibliographical references (p. 419-438)
LCCN
68008157
LCSH
Sia Indians