on location: west ❖
kari kamin
New Mexico’s Cultural Mosaic
Color-splashed festivals and markets spotlight Native American tribes
The Taos Pueblo Pow Wow (top) and Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial, two of New Mexico’s biggest summer events, draw tribes from across the U.S.
S
ituated between Texas and Arizona,
American festival, market, corn dance or
Miss Indian World Pageant at the Hard
New Mexico abounds with natural
feast day. Such events are held through-
Rock Hotel and Casino on the Isleta
out the year in many parts of the state.
Pueblo (just minutes south of Albu-
splendors, from mountains, rivers and lakes to the underground majesty of
Photos Courtesy of New Mexico Tourism Department
Carlsbad Caverns. Cities like Albu-
Spring
querque), with crowning at “The Pit.” (gatheringofnations.com)
querque and Santa Fe offer enough
The 29th annual Gathering of Na-
shopping, dining and sights to fill a week
tions Powwow in Albuquerque, set for
or more. But visiting New Mexico would
April 26-28, has been selected by the
The 27th annual Taos Pueblo Pow
not be complete without an intimate en-
American Bus Association as a Top 100
Wow takes place July 13-15. Visitors
counter or two with its Native American
Event in North America for 2012. Some
will be able to browse arts and crafts ta-
heritage.
3,000 dancers from more than 500 tribes
bles, watch the Kiowa Gourd Dance and
Summer
A visit to an Indian pueblo or archae-
in the U.S., Canada and Mexico com-
witness daily dance competitions fea-
ological site sheds light on early civiliza-
pete at the University of New Mexico
turing members of Indian tribes through-
tions, but one of the best ways to
Arena, “The Pit.” About 800 vendors par-
out the country. Taos Pueblo, with its
discover the cultures of New Mexico’s
ticipate in the Indian Traders Market that
apartment-like adobe dwellings, has
first inhabitants is to take in a Native
weekend. Another highlight: the 2012
been a home for the Tiwa people for
24 February 2012
LeisureGroupTravel.com
ONLINE EXCLUSIVE: Check out the article on New Mexico’s Carlsbad Caverns National Park at http://leisuregrouptravel.com/?p=26259.
more than 1,000 years. Of New Mex-
cludes a parade, rodeo, carnival, and arts
Located about 50 miles northwest of
ico’s 19 pueblo communities along the
and crafts tables. (navajonationfair.com)
Albuquerque, the Jemez lands are
Rio Grande, it is the oldest and most
The 10th annual Open Air Market
surrounded by colorful red sandstone
photogenic. (taospueblopowwow.com)
at Jemez Pueblo takes place in early
mesas. (jemezpueblo.com)
In early August the 91st annual
October at the visitor center in the main
Whether travelers are into shopping,
Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial
village, Walatowa. Enjoy the beauty of
photography or just exploring other
will feature crafts, food, wine tastings,
traditional dances and take in a bread-
cultures, a visit to a Native American
street parades and performances. A high-
baking demonstration before perusing
festival will enhance any New Mexico
light is the All-Indian Invitational Rodeo.
Native and non-Native arts and crafts.
itinerary. LGT
Most of the activities are at Red Rock Park, just outside the town of Gallup, a favorite stop on old Route 66. From June to September, the Navajos put on nightly Indian dances at the Gallup Cultural Center, which occupies a restored Santa Fe Railroad depot. (theceremonial.com)
Luckier
The 91st annual Santa Fe Indian Market, set for Aug. 18-19, features more than 1,100 artists, plus food, demonstration booths and entertainment, on the Santa Fe Plaza and surrounding streets. Approximately 100,000 people visit Santa Fe for the world’s most prestigious Native American arts show, produced by the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts. Related events include the 12th annual Native Cinema Showcase at the New Mexico History Museum on Aug. 13. Among the many cherished traditions at the Santa Fe Indian Market is the Native American Clothing Contest, its most photographed event. The contest (Aug. 19) includes categories for traditional
and
contemporary
Native
American fashions, features children and adult participants, and awards prizes in
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Fall Window Rock, Arizona, on the New Mexico border, has been the home of the Navajo Nation Fair for the past 66 years. The fair usually takes place in early to mid-September. Billed as “the world’s largest American Indian fair,” the event inObtain New Mexico visitor guides and itineraries and contact group-friendly suppliers directly at leisuregrouptravel.com/instant-info
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February 2012 25