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Po'pay

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The Resume

    (circa 1630-circa 1688)
    Born in Ohkay Owingeh (San Juan Pueblo), New Mexico
    Name also spelled Popé
    Tewa religious leader
    Lead the Pueblo Revolt against Spanish rule (August, 1680)
    Successfully drove the Spanish from New Mexico

Why he might be annoying:

    He murdered his son-in-law, who he suspected might betray the revolt to the Spanish.
    His attempt to rule over all the Pueblo after the revolt was widely resented.
    A few years after his death, the Spanish re-established their rule over the Pueblos (1692).

Why he might not be annoying:

    He was one of several Pueblo religious leaders who were arrested and whipped for 'witchcraft.' (1675)
    He organized a revolt among dozens of communities that were spread out over 400 miles and spoke six different languages.
    Although the Spanish regained control of the area, their rule after the revolt was very different: the ecomienda (forced labor) system was banned and priests no longer interfered with Pueblo religious ceremonies as long as the outward forms of Catholicism were observed.
    A 21st century Pueblo leader said, 'Po'pay is our hero. The tribes were on the verge of losing their cultural identity when the Pueblo revolt brought everything back on track for our people.'

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 5 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 8 Votes: 37.50% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 3 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 10 Votes: 80.0% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 11 Votes: 54.55% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 16 Votes: 50.0% Annoying