ABSTRACT
The Cora Indians of Nayarit in northwest Mexico managed to preserve their freedom from Spanish rule for 200 years after their neighbors were conquered and incorporated into colonial Mexico. During this time however, Cora life was significantly altered by Spanish influence. Through European influence great changes took place in Cora material culture and many Spanish religious ideas crept in, even though mission activity was kept out. The final conquest of the Cora in 1722 found the Indians already half acculturated. It is suggested that this free choice means of acculturation was important to the resulting Cora accomodation to Spanish patterns.