The Penitente Moradas of AbiquiúAhlborn, Richard E.
History
The Penitente Moradas of Abiquiú
Ahlborn, Richard E.
Abiquiu (N.M.) -- Religious life and customs; Hermanos Penitentes -- New Mexico -- Abiquiu; Moradas -- New Mexico -- Abiquiu
STORAGE ROOM IN BOTH MORADAS.--In the south _morada_ (Figure 13),
there are cactus scourges (_disciplinas_), corrugated metal sheeting
used for roofing, and three rattles (_matracas_; Figure 14), also used
for noise-making in _tinieblas_ services. Situated here also are black
Lenten candelabrum, a ladder, a cross with silvered Passion emblems,
and massive penitential crosses (_maderos_; Figure 15). The Lenten
ladder and cross are shown next to the exterior entry (Figure 16). A
corner fireplace is flanked by locally made tin candle sconces (Figure
17). Two 19th-century kerosene lamps appear on the fireplace mantle,
and a tin-shaded lantern with its silver-plated reservoir hangs from
the ceiling (Figure 15).
[Illustration: FIGURE 13. FLOOR TUB IN STORAGE ROOM. SIZE: tub 53.3
centimeters high. LOCATION: South _morada_, northwest corner of room.
DESCRIPTION: Cement tub, dirt floor, fire wood, galvanized tubs,
enamelized buckets, braided cactus whips (_disciplinas_), wooden box
rattle (_matraca_), punched tin wall sconce, corrugated metal
roofing.]
[Illustration: FIGURE 14. RATTLES (_matracas_). SIZE: 26 to 40
centimeters long. LOCATION: South _morada_ storage (east) room.
DESCRIPTION: Flexible tongue set at one end of wooden frame, and
notched cylinder on handle turning in opposite end.]
[Illustration: FIGURE 15. PENITENTE CROSSES (_maderos_) IN STORAGE
ROOM. SIZES: black cross 269.2 centimeters high (Figure 16); ceiling
boards 2.5 by 15; _maderos_ 345 long. DATE: 20th century. ORIGIN: New
Mexico, unidentified carpenter. LOCATION: South _morada_, northeast
corner. DESCRIPTION: black candelabra (_tenebrario_), kerosene
lanterns, tin shades, wooden keg and box under table.]
[Illustration: FIGURE 16. CROSS AND LADDER (_cruz_ and _escalera_).
SIZE: cross 269.2 centimeters high. DATE: Fourth quarter of 19th
century. ORIGIN: New Mexico, unidentified carpenter. LOCATION: South
_morada_, storage (east) room. DESCRIPTION: Milled and carved wood
(painted), black cross and ladder, silvered nails (left arm), hammer
and pliers (right arm).]
[Illustration: FIGURE 17. CORNER FIREPLACE IN STORAGE ROOM. SIZE:
mantel 106.7 centimeters high. LOCATION: South _morada_, southeast
corner. DESCRIPTION: Walls, fireplace, and flue of plastered _adobe_,
kerosene lamps and tin wall sconces, boarded up window to left
(east).]
In each _morada_ storage area, there is a tub built on the floor that
serves to wash off blood after penance. Figure 13 shows the tub in the
south _morada_. In the older, east _morada_, the tub (Figure 18) is a
wood- and tin-lined trough pushed against the north wall and plastered
with _adobe_.
[Illustration: FIGURE 18. STORAGE ROOM, EAST _Morada_. SIZES: Tub
112.6 centimeters long, 46 wide, 25.6 high; ladder 175 high.
DESCRIPTION: Detail of north wall showing enamelized containers, tub
built into the floor for washing after penance, and ladder.]
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