History

• The Jumano Indians are a Southwestern Native American tribe originating in the Rio Grande area of Texas. With a history documented from the early 1500's, the Jumanos include some tribes of the Pueblo and Caddo Indians as well. Though many early American Indian tribes rely heavily on farming for survival, the Jumano Indians barter and trade as a way of living. This profession would prove to dictate their lifestyle as well creating a nomadic tribe and introducing the enemies of the Jumano Indians.
  
  

Significance

• The enemies of the Jumano Indians directly contribute to the thinning of this population of people. Without these enemies, the Jumano tribe might be much larger today. One such enemy, the Spanish explorers, prevalent in Native American history, changed the lives of many tribes inhabiting the southwestern territories. However, their affect on the Jumanos, who eagerly welcomed their arrival, was catastrophic. Spaniards brought disease to the Jumanos and dictated their trading. These two variables would nearly diminish the tribe by death and consolidation into other tribes.
  
  

Types

• There were two heavily documented enemies of the Jumano Indians, the Spanish explorers and the Apache Indians. Both of these enemies began as friends of the Jumanos and became enemies.
  The Spanish, upon arrival, quickly began trading with the Jumanos, preferring their sturdy war weapons, animal pelts and exotic fare. However, the Spaniards would eventually dominate the area tribes, including the Jumanos, limiting trade and demanding allegiance.
  The Apaches were known to raid and control the Southwestern territories. Their gang-like presence led to nomadic traits in other tribes as they fled to find other areas to live. The Jumanos trading competed with the Apaches causing an ongoing war between the tribes.
  
  

Geography

• The enemies of the Jumano Indians greatly affected their geographical trek. Starting in the southwestern Texas plains and Rio Grande area, the Jumanos were forced to move by threats to their trading as a primary source of living. Their nomadic ways would motivate absorption into many other tribes significantly decreasing the original Jumano tribe's size. The Jumanos found allies in other tribes in New Mexico, strengthening their trade abilities and making New Mexico a good settling place.
  
  

Features

• Early explorers to America would remark on the Jumano's lack of clothing, a feature uncommon to the self-proclaimed civilized settlers. As with many early tribes, clothing served a practical purpose. High temperatures meant little clothing and cooler temperatures brought on layered garments. Another feature of the Jumanos was the male hairstyle consisting of a cropped cut striped with paint with one long remaining decorated strand. The Jumanos are also distinguishable by their painted faces, often in a striped pattern.