Years ago
tápalos were worn by the Spanish women of northern New
Mexico and southern Colorado. These shawls were always
black and trimmed with ornamental fringe. Tápalos may have
originated as a result of Moorish influence during their
occupation of Spain. Antonia Maes graciously allowed me to
borrow the tápalo, seen at left, that belonged to her
mother, Margarita Montoya de Vigil (1871-1941). I was
fortunate to be able to model at the NM State Legislature
the tápalo on the right, once owned by Feliciana Rodriguez
y Sena de Vigil(1896-1988). Her granddaughter, Socorro
Aragón, kindly let me borrow it. My mother mentions the use
of tápalos in Los Sauces on page 76 of "Life in Los
Sauces." Tápalos, once so common, are rarely used today by
Spanish women.
