Taos Pueblo, Place of the Red Willows

I got back here to Santa Fe from my 10 day visit to Phoenix on Wednesday and yesterday we decided to head up to Taos to see the Pueblo. The drive to Taos took us on a scenic route through the Rio Grande Gorge - beautiful with the cottonwoods and willows in their golden fall colors and a river that flows along the roadway. We noticed that snow on the mountains was still evident from the snowfall over 2 weeks ago, we were at an elevation of about 5600 feet, climbing to about 7000 feet by the time we got to Taos. Taos Pueblo, "Place of the Red Willows" is the oldest continuously inhabited community in the USA. Scientists have dated the Pueblo to at least over 1000 years old and the Native Americans who live there say it is as old as creation according to their oral traditions. The details of their traditional values are guarded as sacred and will not be divulged because of their past history of oppression and slavery. Today over 1000 Tiwas live in the community of Taos and of the 1000 about 100 still live inside the Pueblo. No electricity, no water, the only amenity is wood stoves and the occasional use of propane. We were quite impressed with the day, finding out that of all the Pueblos in New Mexico, we visited the one and only Pueblo that was inscribed in 1992 by the World Heritage list by USESCO as the first living world heritage location. This means that Taos Pueblo has aboriginal status to the land and the continent.

The Pueblo has it's own tribal council and its officials and warchiefs are elected every year and has the duty to protect the wildlife and natural resources as well as the civil and business issues within the village and the relations of the non-Indian world. As you look at this picture you see colored doors which is the Spanish influence of the 1600's. Over the centuries Spain has tried to rule the Tiwas but the Tiwas revolted. Then the US Government came in and ruled the area and again the Tiwas revolted and murdered Governor Bent, thinking he and his people were gone, the Tiwas were again free in following their culture. But, the Army came in and with the Mexican/American war of the 1847 New Mexico became a US territory but allowed the Tiwas their continuing living conditions in the Pueblo. The buildings are made out of adobe, a mixture of water, straw and earth and must be maintained and replastered every year. Artists and craftsmen were located inside the village and you could purchase anything from bread, pastries, jewelry, artwork, paintings, drums, flutes, music, leathergoods. It was sad to see how the economy has also hit these people - many people just looked and didn't buy any of the goods. I on the other hand - supported them. I bought some yummy pastry, got some jewelry and an ornament. Very talented people!