Z for A-Z Challenge

Z-Zuni, New Mexico

 

 I have always had a soft spot for the Indians that were here before us and the Zuni are one of the 19 Pueblo tribes of what is now known as New Mexico.
 

Archaeologists believe Zuni history began well before 2500 B.C. when the tribe moved into the Southwest as big game hunters.

Between 2500 B.C. and 700 A.D. the Zuni Indians made their first attempts at agriculture and hunted smaller game. Historians believe it was during this period they started making pottery and weaving baskets.

 

 

Zuni is a intact Native American Reservation so although people are allowed to visit here there are certain restrictions.

 

They have proved themselves as fine craftsmen...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Can you imagine how soft these deer skin moccasins are!

How it was around 1873

 

These are Pueblos.......apartment-like structures built of stone, adobe mud, and other local material. These structures were usually multi-storied buildings surrounding an open plaza.

They are survivors, a group of hard working inventive people who raised crops of corn, beans, and squash as well as cotton and tobacco. The men hunted deer, antelope and small game while the women gathered nuts, fruits and herbs.

Many years ago there was not a written language and all traditions, history, and stories were passed from generation to generation through tribal leaders and parents.

 practiced yet today.

You will want to visit the old mission that is being restored thanks to Alex Seowtewa, a well-known Zuni artist who has painted a series of traditional Zuni Kachinas

  on the walls and with the help of his sons they have completed 24 figures of various kachinas and tribal religious leaders as well as panels depicting traditional crops, birds and animals.

 

 They are a religious group of people and make a pilgrimage every four years on the Barefoot Trail to Koluwala. A area about 60 miles from the Zuni Pueblo.

Pueblo today

Thousands of people visit these ancient villages every year to learn more about Zuni history and get an idea of what life was like for the tribe thousands of years ago and the worn faces of old...

 yes they have a trading post there and you can buy some of their wares.

 

Happy Trails

 

 

(Today is hubby's b-day and we are heading to another of those Indian successes....

 



Fort McDowell Resort and Casino)