HOliday GIVING A
tribal member’s open letter to the community about holiday trees, feasting and prayers for world peace, healing and unity of leadership:
Family, friends and community of Taos, We are what our traditions are made of, memories of childhood holidays with love of one’s past or present are what makes us who we are. When you’re keeping traditions from generation to generation and passing down all the special instructions and tasks, it all works to make us all stronger, creating empathy for others, sharing with others and just doing your part to make somebody’s day. As winter sets in and holidays start approaching, the normal day-to-day activities become unusual as your mind becomes filled with wondering about how can I help others and give of myself? My special giving is: Going up to the mountains, getting Christmas trees for the elderly of Taos Pueblo and leaving them out by the Veterans Memorial. The next morning they are
all gone! If there’s any left, I and my special loved one have our trees for the holiday. The feeling is awesome! My Taos Pueblo culture and traditions always play a vital role in how I give back to all. The Taos Pueblo Deer Dance has always been my favorite traditional dance. It can happen at Christmas Day or Jan. 6. This year my thoughts are: Prayers for all humanity to come to “Peace, Healing and Unity in Leadership.” Feasting in our village houses is a highlight in which we share favorite food dishes with family and friends. Our Taos Pueblo oven bread, pies, cookies and red chile are what we’re known for, so let’s all sit down and share some delicious red chile and oven bread during the holidays, especially for this year’s holidays. Blessings to all my families at Taos Pueblo and friends abroad.
Sincerely,
Mary Bernal,
TA O S P U E B L O T R I B A L M E M B E R
CLOCKWISE: Taos Pueblo prune pies for the holidays. Oven-bread for feast days. Bernal family outdoor oven on Taos Pueblo. P H O T O S Mary Bernal traditionally dressed for Deer Dance at Taos Pueblo in 2019. P H O T O gatherings on Taos Pueblo.
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TAOS AGLOW 2020
COURTESY
CHARLENE
MARCU
BY MARY BERNAL
The Bernal Family House, decked for feast day
