Pueblo Indian Culture

The Pueblos are descended from a group which has, for a long time, been called the Anasazi. This name has fallen out of popular usage recently as it's literal translation from the Navajo is "ancient enemies". A more correct term is "The Old Ones' or "Ancient Ancestors".

The Pueblo cultures have occupied an area stretching across the Four Corners Region of New Mexico, Colorado, Utah and Arizona since at least 900 A.D.
They are the builders of the great sites at Chaco Canyon and Canyon de Chelly, amongst others. Eventually, for reasons still debated amongst archaeologists, they abandoned their open village locations and built amazing cliff dwellings in locations such as Mesa Verde and Gila Monument.
Then, for reasons as yet unclear (although often thought to be due to warfare or drought and famine), they abandoned these sites and seemingly vanished.

Whatever fragments were left of these civilizations eventually regrouped and settled in small pueblo villages, most of which are found along a roughly 60 mile stretch between Albuquerque and Santa Fe, New Mexico. There are 3 other pueblos on the western side of the state.

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In 1598 A.D., a group of 500 settlers came north out of Mexico into Pueblo lands, led by Don Juan Oñante. The invaders instituted a labor system known as the encomienda, originally developed in Spain.

Under this scheme, large New World land grants were made by the Crown to favored Spanish individuals. The grantees were responsible for the protection and Christian instruction of any natives on these lands, who were required to pay tribute - usually in the form of crops and labor - to the grantee.

Understandably, the Pueblo deeply resented the newcomers' system - invasion of their lands, suppression of their religion, payment of tribute, and enforced loyalty to a foreign monarch.

In 1680, under the leadership of Po'pay, a religious leader from Ohkay Owingeh (formerly San Juan Pueblo), the Pueblo staged a revolt against the Spanish, under the leadership of Don Diego de Vargas, at Santa Fe.

You can find a wealth of info on the Pueblo Revolt at:

Pueblo Revolt

The Pueblo people became well known for their pottery, jewelry design, weaving and leather work when the whites ("anglos") began trading in these goods in the late 1800s. Wealthy travelers and new settlers wanted to show off their acquisitions, and Pueblo pottery, blankets and jewelry became highly collectible. Potters such as Maria Martinez of San Ildefonso Pueblo became famous for their high quality work, and today many families carry on this age-old tradition.

Acoma, San Idefonso, Santa Clara, Santo Domingo and Zia are the most well-known pottery producing pueblos. Cochiti is famous for its "story-teller" figures.

To view examples of Pueblo pottery follow these links:

Maria Martinez Pottery

Acoma Pottery

Pueblo Pottery A-Z

Visit Zeke145's Gallery at Zazzle for some amazing pueblo design products such as the ones below:

The Pueblo culture was originally polytheistic, with gods who represented the seasons, sacred locations, etc. Sacrifices and dances were held to honor these deities, many held in secret by the elder men in kivas, a round covered or underground chamber used for rituals.

Today the Pueblo religion is closely intertwined with Catholicism, dating from the mid 1600s when Missions were set up by Spaniards coming north from Mexico in their quest for gold and territory. Many of the original Mission churches are still in functional use today.

Each Pueblo has a designated Saint with his own Feast Day. Feast Days are a time of celebration where the community comes together for food, dancing and music. Many of the pueblos welcome visitors to their feast days, but may perform the actual ceremonial rituals in private when no outsiders are present.