Eight Northern Pueblos

The Eight Northern Pueblos are cultural treasures, and every Santa Fe visitor should see at least one of them. The history of Nambé (Nanbé Owingeh), Ohkay Owingeh (formerly San Juan), Picurís, Pojoaque, San Ildefonso, Santa Clara, Taos, and Tesuque Pueblos dates back more than a thousand years.

In 1598, Spanish conquistador Juan de Oñate began colonizing what is now Northern New Mexico. When Catholic missionaries arrived in the early 1600s, they renamed Pueblos with saints’ names, built churches, and introduced Feast Days to celebrate the patron saints of Pueblo Catholic Missions.

Most Feast Days are open to the public and are popular. The ceremonies incorporate Pueblo spiritual practices (special dances) and Catholic ones. Today, some also include processions or other features.

There are many other seasonal celebrations and special events, such as arts and crafts fairs. Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day feature traditional dances, and perhaps a torchlight parade or Los Matachines dance-drama.

Guests should familiarize themselves with Pueblo visitor etiquette rules. Ask permission before taking photos of any kind, and prior to sketching or painting—a fee or permit may be required. Respect restricted areas, which are generally considered sacred. Also respect private homes. Remain silent during dances and ceremonies and do not applaud. Don’t climb on structures or take anything from the land with you as a souvenir. Do not expect events to begin or end on time.

With the exception of Picurís and Taos, all Eight Northern Pueblos are within 30 miles of Santa Fe. Each has its own history, unique structures, crafts, and events. For a complete schedule of Pueblo Feast Days and Tribal Celebrations, please visit santafe.org.

DID YOU KNOW?

The Tewa language is spoken at the Nambé, Pojoaque, San Ildefonso, Ohkay Owingeh, Santa Clara, and Tesuque Pueblos. There are many language instruction programs in regional schools designed to introduce children to and give them support in their Native tongue.

BEFORE ANY VISIT, CALL TO CONFIRM EVENT DATES AND THAT THE EVENT IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

Nambé Pueblo

Place of the Rounded Earth

505-455-4410; nambepueblo.org Location: approximately 15 miles north of Santa Fe Highlights: A cultural, religious, economic, and social nexus beginning in the 14th century • Nambé Pueblo Recreation Area campsites available in summer (fee) • Hike and picnic in spectacular Nambé Falls; fish and swim in Nambé Lake (fee) • Guided tours can be arranged to walk the looped trail around the buffalo herd, established in 1994 Crafts: micaceous Nambé polychrome pottery, traditional textiles, woven belts, beadwork Events: Feast Days & Dances on January 6; Easter; July 4—Nambé Falls Independence Day Celebration; October 4; December 24 and 25

Ohkay Owingeh

Pueblo Place of the Strong People

505-852-4400; ohkay.org Location: approximately 25 miles north of Santa Fe Highlights: Formerly San Juan Pueblo, returned to its original name in 2005 • One of the largest Tewa-speaking Pueblos • San Juan Bautista Parish, a neoGothic style church, ceremonial kivas, and adobe houses • Oke-Oweenge Crafts Cooperative carries the work of artists from the Eight Northern Pueblos • Fishing by permit at San Juan Lakes • Area petroglyphs are at least 10 millennia old Crafts: lustrous redware pottery, weaving, paintings Events: Feast Days & Dances on January 1; February first or second weekend; June 13 and 24; December 24, 25, 26, 28

Picurís Pueblo

For Those Who Paint

575-587-2519; picurispueblo.org Location: 60 miles north of Santa Fe Highlights: The state’s smallest Pueblo tribe • Handrestored, 200-year-old adobe San Lorenzo de Picurís Mission Church • Museum • Buffalo herd • Trout-stocked PuNa Lake with picnic areas • Self-guided tour of archeological sites • On the National Register of Historic Places Crafts: beadwork, pottery, weaving Events: Feast Days & Dances on January 1 and 6; February 2; June 13; August 9 and 10; December 24, 25, 28

Pojoaque Pueblo

Water Drinking Place

505-455-3334; pojoaquepueblo.org Location: 15 miles north of Santa Fe Highlights: Population of approximately 2,700 • At Poeh Cultural Center & Museum: traditional arts of Tewa-speaking Pueblos, exhibitions and artist demonstrations • Hosts traditional Indian dances on weekends • Visitor Center • Largest Indian arts and crafts shop in Northern New Mexico Crafts: pottery, sand paintings, rugs, kachinas, embroidery, beadwork, sculpture Events: Feast Days & Dances on July 28; December 11 and 12

San Ildefonso Pueblo

Where Water Cuts Down Through

505-455-3549; sanipueblo.org Location: 23 miles north of Santa Fe Highlights: One of most visited Pueblos • Known for blackon-black pottery first created by the late Maria Martinez and husband Julian • Central plaza, adobe buildings, ceremonial kivas, replica of mission-period church • Visitor Center • Fishing lake • On the National Register of Historic Places Crafts: pottery, jewelry, moccasins, weavings, carvings, paintings Events: Feast Days & Dances on January 22 and 23; December 24 and 25

Santa Clara Pueblo

Valley of the Wild Roses or Singing Water Village

505-753-7326 Location: 27 miles north of Santa Fe Highlights: Home of well-known potters Anita Suazo and Margaret Tafoya • Historic section with adobe houses surrounding two main plazas, two ceremonial kivas, and a church • Guided tour of ancient 740-room Puye Cliff Dwellings • On the National Register of Historic Places Crafts: polished black and red pottery, baskets Events: Feast Days & Dances on June 13 and August 12

Taos Pueblo

Place of Red Willows

Village of the Narrow Place of the Cottonwood Trees

575-758-1028; taospueblo.com Location: 73 miles north of Santa Fe Highlights: Multistoried adobe buildings continuously inhabited for more than 1,000 years • Only living Native American community designated both a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and a National Historic Landmark • San Geronimo (St. Jerome) Chapel, completed in 1850 • Self-guided and guided tours • 40+ shops Crafts: silver jewelry, mica-flecked pottery, moccasins, boots, drums, paintings, crafts, sculpture Events: Feast Days & Dances on January 1 and 6; May 3; June 13 and 24; annual powwow on the second weekend in July; July 25 and 26; September 30; December 24 and 25

Tesuque Pueblo

505-983-2667 Location: 10 miles north of Santa Fe Highlights: One of the state’s smallest pueblos • In its present location since 1200 CE • On the National Register of Historic Places • Arts and crafts shops at the Pueblo • Tesuque Casino (adjacent to the Santa Fe Opera) Crafts: silverwork, traditional clothing, pottery, paintings, sculpture Events: Feast Days & Dances on the first Saturday in June; November 12; December 24 and 25