Transcriber's Note: With the exception of Figure 26, which forms the frontispiece of this work, the descriptions of individual figures have been shifted to follow their first mention in the text. Italics are indicated by _underscores_. Small capitals have been replaced by full capitals. Apparent typographical errors have been corrected. CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE MUSEUM OF HISTORY AND TECHNOLOGY PAPER 63 THE PENITENTE MORADAS OF ABIQUIÚ _Richard E. Ahlborn_ Introduction Penitente Organization Origins of the Penitente Movement The History of Abiquiú The Architecture of the Moradas Interior Space and Artifacts Summary SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION PRESS WASHINGTON, D.C. 1968 U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1968 0--287-597 For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office Washington, D.C. 20402--Price 75 cents [Illustration: FIGURE 26. CROSS (_cruz_). SIZE: 106.7 centimeters high, 73.6 wide. DATE: First quarter of 20th century. ORIGIN: Abiquiú; Onésimo Martínez. LOCATION: South _morada_, center room. MANUFACTURE: Indigo blue designs (stencilled?).] _Richard E. Ahlborn_ _THE PENITENTE MORADAS OF ABIQUIÚ_ _By the early 19th century, Spanish-speaking residents of villages in northern New Mexico and southern Colorado felt the need for a brotherhood that would preserve their traditional social and religious beliefs. Known as "brothers of light," or _penitentes_, these Spanish-Americans centered their activities in a houselike building, or _morada_, especially equipped for Holy Week ceremonies._ _For the first time, two intact _moradas_ have been fully photographed and described through the cooperation of the _penitente_ brothers of Abiquiú, New Mexico._ THE AUTHOR: _Richard E. Ahlborn is associate curator in the Division of Cultural History in the Smithsonian Institution's Museum of History and Technology._ _Introduction_ This study describes two earthern buildings and their special furnishings--humble but unique documents of Spanish-American culture. The two structures are located in Abiquiú, a rural, Spanish-speaking village in northern New Mexico. Known locally as _moradas_, they serve as meeting houses for members of a flagellant brotherhood, the _penitentes_. The _penitente_ brotherhood is characteristic of Spanish culture in New Mexico (herein called _Hispano_ to indicate its derivation from Hispanic traditions in Mexico). Although penitential activities occurred in Spain's former colonies--Mexico, Argentina, and the Philippines--the _penitentes_ in the mountainous region that extends north of Albuquerque into southern Colorado are remarkable for their persistence.