Keres, Eastern in United States

Introduction / History

The Eastern Keres are one of the Pueblo peoples of the American Southwest, living primarily in central New Mexico. Their language, Eastern Keres, is part of the Keresan language family and is unique in that it is not closely related to any other Native American languages. The Eastern Keres have lived in the same region for centuries, in well-established pueblos such as Cochiti, Santo Domingo (Kewa), and San Felipe.

Their history reflects remarkable endurance through Spanish colonization, missionization, and later U.S. expansion, all of which deeply influenced their social and spiritual life. Despite these pressures, the Eastern Keres have preserved much of their cultural and linguistic heritage.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Eastern Keres communities are known for their strong family and community ties. Many live in traditional pueblo villages, though some have moved to nearby towns or cities for work or education. They continue to engage in farming, pottery, jewelry making, and other traditional crafts, blending these with modern livelihoods.

Community life revolves around the agricultural calendar, with cultural ceremonies marking key events in the cycle of planting and harvest. Education, economic development, and cultural preservation are major focuses, especially among younger generations seeking to balance traditional life with modern opportunities.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Eastern Keres spirituality is deeply tied to the land, the seasons, and their community life. Traditional beliefs center on harmony with nature, ancestral spirits, and ceremonial dances that express gratitude and seek balance in creation. While many Eastern Keres people identify as Catholic due to Spanish influence, traditional religious systems remain active and are often practiced alongside Catholic rituals.

Christianity has had some presence among the Eastern Keres, but traditional religious structures remain dominant, and there is often resistance to outside evangelistic efforts due to the sacredness of their cultural traditions.

What Are Their Needs?

The Eastern Keres need continued opportunities for cultural and linguistic preservation as younger generations face the risk of language loss. Spiritually, they need the gospel to be presented in a way that is loving, respectful, and sensitive to their culture and history.

Many have experienced mistrust toward organized religion because of historical mistreatment by church institutions, creating barriers to understanding the message of Christ. There is a need for patient, prayerful engagement and genuine relationships that demonstrate the love of Jesus in practical ways.

Prayer Points

Pray that the Eastern Keres people would encounter the love and truth of Christ in ways that acknowledge their culture and history.
Pray for the many involved in ethnic religion or blending ethnic religion with Christianity, that they'd turn from false religion to Christ by faith.
Please pray for the faithful translation of the complete Bible in the Eastern Keres language.
Pray that there would be a tremendous increase in discipleship and evangelism materials in the Eastern Keres language.
Pray for the work of the Holy Spirit to mightily defeat the resistance to the preaching of the gospel among the Eastern Keres.

Text Source:   Joshua Project