the mid-17th century, the Spanish identified only three Opatan groups. The largest was the Eudeve (eh-oo-deh-veh), whose ancient villages and current towns encompass the western portions of traditional Opata territory. The Eudeve also referred to themselves as Deve. Both names mean "people" in their language. The second largest group was first known as the Ore, but were later called the Tegüima or Tehuima (teh-wee-mah). Their ancient villages and current towns encompass the northeastern and central portion of Opata territory. Tehuima means "river people." The smallest Opatan group was the Ova or Jova (ho-vah). Jova means "water people." They originally inhabited eight villages in the southeastern portion of Opata territory. Some of their villages were Negarachi, Sahuaripa, Teopari, Tutuaca, Xiripa, and Yepomera. A number of the Jova lived in Chihuahua. These people were still independent, and not under Spanish rule, as late as 1678. During the 18th century, the Jova intermarried with neighboring Eudeves and they merged into one single group. At that point the Jova no longer could be identified as a distinct indigenous ethnic group. According to the "Noticias Estadisticas del Estado de Sonora" by D. Francisco Velasco the Opata Nation is subdued in: Opatas Tegüis, towns: Opodepe, Terapa, Cucurpe, Álamos, Batuco. Opatas Tegüimas, towns: Sinoquipe, Banamichi, Huepaca, Aconchi, Babiacora, Chinapa, Bacuachi, Cuquiarachi, Cumpas. Opatas Caüinachis, towns: Toniche, Matape, Oputo, Oposura, Guasavas, Bacadeguachi, Nacori (otro), Mochopa. Opatas Eudeves, towns (including other Opatas): Matape, Nacori, Los Alamos, Ranchería Robesco, Bacanora, Batuco, Tepuspe, Cucurpe, Saracatzi, Toape, Opodepe. Opatas Jovas, towns (including other Opatas) and extending to Chihuahua: San José Teopari, Los Dolores, Sahuaripa, Pónida, Santo Tomas, Arivetzi, San Mateo Malzura. Descendants Some people in Sonora and southern Arizona identify as being of Ópata descent today. Very few Ópata traditions are exercised today, and their character is generally mestizaje (mainline Mexican mestizo) as opposed to a traditional indigenous character and lifestyle. However, the ancient Opatan spring procession rite known today as the fariseo (with some Catholicism mixed in) is still exercised during Easter week in most towns and villages in Opata Country. The rite includes the wearing of masks and the use of traditional Opatan instruments during the procession which include hand-held gourd rattles, bands of small ankle rattles, and hand-held drums. Masks often include traditional ones carved from Cottonwood, depicting various painted human and animal-like facial figures. See also Spanish missions in the Sonoran Desert Kathleen Alcalá, Mexican/Jewish-American author who identifies