Zuni Pueblo is a Native American reservation in northern New Mexico with intact archaeological sites and preserved traditions. Visitors can see structures, meet artists, attend events, and see traditional dances and rituals. Visitors should be respectful and check in at the visitor center.
The Zuni Pueblo is a Native American reservation in northern New Mexico. Like other reservations, it is considered sovereign territory and the overriding law is tribal law, not New Mexico. The site is of cultural and historical interest because it contains many intact archaeological sites and the community living in the pueblo has preserved many of the traditions of the Zuni people. Most visitors reach this site by car, usually driving from Albuquerque.
The Zuni Native Americans have lived in this region for thousands of years. They hunted and fished for survival, gathering plants when they were seasonally available and building adobe homes, many of which were five or more stories high. The area is also rich in deposits of silver and turquoise, both used by the Zuni for decorative crafts, as well as objects intended for religious use.
When Europeans first encountered the Zuni, they remarked on the complexity of Zuni architecture and society, noting that the population was thriving and well established. A mission church was built in Zuni Pueblo in the 1600s and can still be seen today. The A:shiwi, as they are known in their native tongue, have benefited from relative isolation and their tribal lands have not suffered some of the depredations seen in other regions of the Americas.
Visitors to Zuni Pueblo can see a number of structures of interest, as well as meet contemporary Zuni artists, peruse historical artifacts on display, and attend events. Tribal fairs are held in the summer and visitors are welcome. Religious events held in winter are also open to the public, giving people the opportunity to see traditional tribal dances and religious rituals that have been preserved by the community.
Because Zuni Pueblo is a living community, not just an archaeological site, visitors are asked to be respectful. Tribal members prefer that visitors check in at the visitor center when they arrive to get reservation information and any upcoming events. Photography is prohibited in many areas and it is generally advisable to seek consent before taking photographs. The pueblo is filled with private homes and is not intended to function as a living museum. Visitor center staff can provide information to the public about areas of the reservation they can visit and what they can do there. A limited number of hunting and fishing licenses are available to people outside of Zuni Pueblo on an annual basis.
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