Genízaro

Genízaro is the name for a group of people in New Mexico who are descended from captives taken by the Spanish from other Native American tribes during the 1600s. Many of these captives were eventually allowed to settle and form their own communities near the Spanish settlements. They adopted much of the Spanish language, culture and religion but were not completely assimilated into Spanish society. The word "genízaro" comes from the Spanish word "genízaro" meaning "those born again". In other words, they are people who are born as members of one Native American group but adopt the customs and culture of another group.