Pueblo Indian Culture

Of the 19 Native American communities located in New Mexico, eight are near Santa Fe. All eight are Pueblo Indian tribes and their communities are referred to as Pueblos.

Many of these Pueblos were established centuries ago such as the Taos Pueblo which is thought to have been continuously occupied for close to 1,000 years. Each Pueblo has its own tribal government, traditions, ceremonies and is a sovereign and separate entity. The Pueblos typically welcome visitors and much can be learned about Native American culture by visiting the Pueblos, especially during the specific dances and feast days open to the public.

The website for the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center provides excellent information about New Mexico's pueblos, including a schedule of ceremonial dance days and feast days. Located in Albuquerque, the center is owned and operated by New Mexico's 19 pueblos. It features permanent and changing museum exhibits as well as year-round programs and events highlighting art, history, dance and culture.

While the Pueblo people are traditionally generous and welcoming, there are modes of conduct that should be followed to avoid misunderstandings or violations of their customs. Here are some suggestions for making sure a visit to a Pueblo is enjoyable for everyone involved:

Please observe all rules and regulations of the individual Pueblos

• Please control children and see that they are respectful.
• Homes are private, do not enter without an invitation.
• Stay in the immediate village area, do not wander.
• Do not climb walls or other structures as they may be hundreds of years old and easily damaged.
• Do not pick up or remove any artifact or objects such as pieces of broken pottery.
• Kivas and graveyards are not to be entered by non-Pueblo people.
• Alcohol, weapons and drugs will not be tolerated.
• No pets.
• Obey all traffic, parking and speed limit signs.

There are also some rules for courteous behavior when it comes to ceremonial dances. The first is to realize that the dances are religious in nature and not staged performances. As such, they should be observed with respect and quiet attention. Talking or asking questions of dancers or non-dance participants should be avoided. Applause after dances is not appropriate. On feast days, when many families open their homes, it is courteous to accept an invitation to eat but not to linger or offer more than heartfelt thanks for the hospitality.

Photography is another area where knowing the rules will make for a better visit. Each Pueblo has its own schedule of permits, fees and restrictions so checking with each Pueblo is advised before taking pictures. Rules of thumb that apply to all the Pueblos include asking permission before taking an individual's picture, not interrupting or interfering with dances and remember that pictures are for private use only and may not be reproduced or sold without written permission.

While this may seem like a lot of guidelines it helps to remember that the Pueblo people are walking a fine line between earning money through tourism and maintaining their centuries-old way of life. Following these suggestions is simply a way of respecting their culture and ensuring a positive experience.

The following numbers are for the eight Pueblos near Santa Fe and for the umbrella organization that represents them:

Eight Northern Indian Pueblos	(505) 747-1593
Nambe Pueblo	(505) 455-2036
Picuris Pueblo	(505) 587-2519
Pojoaque Pueblo	(505) 455-2278
San Ildefonso Pueblo	(505) 455-2273
Ohkay Owingeh	(505) 852-4400
Santa Clara Pueblo	(505) 753-7326
Taos Pueblo	(505) 758-9593
Tesuque Pueblo	(505) 983-2667

To learn more, visit our section on Santa Fe history and Native American arts.