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The 19 Recognized Pueblos of New Mexico
Welcome. This site is dedicated to the rich cultures of the Pueblo Indians who live in New Mexico. There are 19 recognized Pueblos who share ancient ancestors, but today each has its own distinct personality, with individual festivals, specialized handicrafts, and more.
I'll give you a brief introduction to their history, arts, and ceremonies, as well as photos, links to more detailed information, and links to books on the topic and region.
Proceeds from this site go to help the people build better facilities on their lands, towards education for their children, and to help house and feed their elderly.
Pueblo Indian History
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.
(cont'd below)
Informative Books on Pueblo Culture
"Modern" Pueblo History
from the arrival of the Spaniards
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
Images of Modern Pueblo Life
Some Pueblos allow photography and others require you purchase a permit and agree to not distribute the photos other than for personal use. Still, there are scenes of the pueblos on flickr:
Taos Pueblo
Taos Pueblo
St. Jerome Church at...
Christmas in Taos Pu...
Christmas in Taos Pu...
Taos Pueblo
Taos Pueblo August 2...
Taos Pueblo August 2...
Taos Pueblo
Taos Pueblo
Pueblo Arts and Crafts
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
Beautiful Pueblo Designs
Pueblo Ceremonies
A brief introduction
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.
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.
Visitor Info for the Major Pueblos
- Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
- Information on the 19 Pueblos of New Mexico
- Acoma Pueblo Visitor Info
- An intro to the sites open to the public on Acoma land.
- Laguna Pueblo Visitor Info
- Laguna Pueblo homepage
- Taos Pueblo Visitor Info
- Taos Pueblo Visitor Info
- Zuni Pueblo Visitor Info
- Visitor information for the Zuni people
- Jemez Pueblo Visitor Info
- Jemez Pueblo
- Cochiti Pueblo Visitor Info
- Cochiti Pueblo
Santa Fe Area Weather
Current weather conditions in Abiquiu, NM (87510)
Local Pollen Reports
71°F (Feels like 71°F)
Last update: 7/19/08 11:05 PM MDT
Humidity: 62%Visibility: 10.0 mi
Dew Point: 58°F
UV Index: 0 (Lawn and Garden Weather)
Barometer: 30.23in rising
Moon: Rush Hour Traffic
Wind: 6mph From: Airport Conditions
Tonight
Low
Low: 58°F
Sunrise: 6:03 AM
Sunset: 8:20 PM
Sunday
Jul 20
N/A
High: 86°F
Low: 59°F
Sunrise: 6:03 AM
Sunset: 8:19 PM
Monday
Jul 21
Isolated T-Storms
High: 85°F
Low: 60°F
Sunrise: 6:04 AM
Sunset: 8:19 PM
Tuesday
Jul 22
Isolated T-Storms
High: 87°F
Low: 60°F
Sunrise: 6:05 AM
Sunset: 8:18 PM
Other Things to do in the Area
Reviewed by local residents on Yelp!
If you are based in Santa Fe, a location central to most pueblos, here are some other things going on in town!
Here's what Yelpers have to say about Active Life in 87501
- Kokopelli Rafting Adventure Inc (Santa Fe)
- "I did the Taos Box trip with Kokopelli Rafting this past Friday, and I'm very pleased with the experience. I've always wanted to do whitewater rafting. This..." more
- Body (Santa Fe)
- "Initially I was pretty stoked about Body being in Santa Fe and offering vegan, vegetarian and raw foods. The husband and I set out for lunch there one day..." more
- Bikram's Yoga College of India-Santa Fe (Santa Fe)
- "I practiced yoga at this studio not once, but twice during my week-long excursion to Santa Fe. I could appreciate the adequate heating system as well as the..." more
- Mandrill Gym (Santa Fe)
- "If you want to get in shape, this is the only place to go. While it doesn't offer some other features that other health clubs offer (sauna, pool, steam,..." more
- Santa Fe Fitness Trainer, Simon Moylan (Santa Fe)
- "I had always been an athletic person but I had fallen into a pattern of maybe working out once or twice a week at most. My eating habits, while generally..." more
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Pueblo Merchandise at eBay
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Pueblo Related Merchandise on CafePress
Find your design! Choose your product! Bring it home!
Native Sounds of the Southwest
Comments and Suggestions Welcome!
Please Sign the Visitor Log
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Falls-Down-Laughing
Wow, nice lens! You seem very devoted to your work! It's good to see such devotion from anyone. Good luck in all you do! Posted March 27, 2008 |
