The following article by Jerry Padilla was first published by The Taos News in 2007.
A group of men, from teens to elders, dressed in similar, yet individualized combinations of regalia and warm clothing, drum and sing these old time Comanche style songs for the dancers. Soon after the initial round of prayers and dances at the church, the group or groups proceed throughout the day in a caravan of pickup trucks to the homes of elders named Manuel or Manuelita. As the drumming and songs herald the arrival at one of an esteemed senior’s homes, relatives inside bundle them up.
They will spend the day visiting all these and other elders of the community. It is important for them to honor those who taught them these traditions, and those who came before them. Often times the elder being honored was in his or her youth a dancer or singer with Los Comanches.
Some ethno-historians have said the rhythms and singing style of Los Comanches of the Taos area is similar to Kiowa style. Taking and adopting captives during raids, especially if one side or another reneged on agreements, was done by both nomadic tribal groups and Hispanos.
Many in the Ranchos, Talpa, Llano Quemado and greater Taos area claim with pride ancestry of both Hispano and tribal origins and still practice cultural aspects of the influence of both. A group of hispanicized Comanche settled on the La Serna Grant, some time in the late 1700s, joining the descendants of former Comanche captives already there. Those having lived among the Comanche were taught certain songs and dances, and they in turn taught these to their children.
It has become part of the heritage of these communities to continue performing these songs and dances not only for the feast of Emanuel on New Year’s Day, but also other community events to which they are invited to perform.
