14 Cultural Experiences in New Mexico You Didn’t Know About
New Mexico is a colourful state that represents rich Native American heritage and beautiful legacy of Hispanic and Anglo settlers. However, apart from its famous dishes, arts and festivals, there are so many things to do that a local may not even consider. From traditional ceremonies to peculiar festivities, New Mexico has rich heritage sights that make people wonder.
Prepare yourself for a trip through the various traditions, dances, and celebrations of the past and some you might consider modern.
Feast Days in Pueblo Villages
Experience a new environment during the Pueblo feast days when the traditions of the Native Americans are revived through dance, prayer and food. Each of the Pueblos has a patron saint and feast days are celebrated with rituals that are a combination of Christian and Pueblo dance and are a sight to behold. Visitors are sometimes encouraged to attend cultural troupes which feature hundreds of dancers in elaborate costumes and performing to the sound of drums, which retell a culture’s history.
The Gila Cliff Dwellings Hike and Stay
Deep in the Gila National Forest, there are cliff houses in which the Mogollon people once lived. These stone houses are hewed from cliffs and are 700 years old but the structure and design are preserved that tourists can actually step back in time. As beautiful as it is to walk up to the dwellings there is something special about spending the night in some of the rustic cabins available nearby.
The Whispering Giant
New Mexico’s Whispering Giant stands 23 feet high and is part of the global series of similar sculptures by Hungarian-born Peter Wolf Toth, who has sculpted over 70 statues around the world. Each giant is a figure of a Native American, which helps to pay tribute to the Indigenous peoples of North America. Standing before these art pieces is inspiring because it depicts how strong Native cultures are.
Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial
Gallup is a town that hosts an inter-tribal ceremony every August which has been in existence since 1922. This festival includes beautiful parades, powwows, rodeos, and Native dances, and attracts the tribes from all over America. The energy, colors, and artistry on display are most certainly helping to foster that sense of connection and, indeed, pride within and amongst Native communities.
New Mexico’s Wine Country
Many people may not realize that New Mexico is home to one of the oldest wine industries in the United States with winemaking beginning in the 17th century for the Spanish settlers, residents will find that the wine they produce is unique in both flavor and character. Taste wine at the local wineries in the Rio Grande Valley or in the vineyards at higher altitude in the north.
Albuquerque’s International Balloon Fiesta at Dawn
Everyone is familiar with the stunning Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, but seeing these soaring behemoths rise with the dawn is a sight to behold. Get out of bed early, make a cup of cocoa, and watch as hundreds of balloons take to the sky in a beautiful display. The festival lasts nine days and gives a fairy-tale beginning to each day of the week.
Santa Fe’s Canyon Road Art Stroll
Santa Fe is an artists’ paradise, and Canyon Road is the heart of Santa Fe’s art district. This street is over a mile long and boasts over 100 galleries. Instead of going for a stroll through art, many galleries encourage their guests to observe artists at work, offering a behind-the-scenes view of their creations.
Acequia Water System in Old Town
In New Mexico’s Old Towns, the acequia or irrigation system which today is as old as Spanish engineering, has narrow canals that still convey water to nearby fields and homes. When you walk around these acequias, you will learn how New Mexico’s Spanish forebears tamed water in a desert environment – a feat that continues to sustain communities in harmony with the environment.
The Santuario de Chimayó Pilgrimage
The Santuario de Chimayó is a Roman Catholic church in northern New Mexico, and during the Easter season, thousands of people come to this church to be healed. It is famous for its holy dirt which people believe has curing powers. It is also a serene atmosphere to experience at any time of the year.
San Felipe Pueblo’s Annual Corn Dance
Every year, the San Felipe Pueblo celebrates the Annual Corn Dance that is performed to mark the planting season. This is a spiritual function that belong to the Pueblo people, and as such, it feature dancers who dress in regal like garb and accompanied by drumming. It is such a nice message of the Pueblo people and their connection to the earth and the seasons.
Zozobra Burn in Santa Fe
Every year during the fiesta, the people of Santa Fe and tourists burn a 50-foot tall puppet called Zozobra, which symbolizes negativity. Founded in 1924, this ceremony is intended to leave behind all the troubles of the previous year. It is an unusual, passionate show where the figure burns, along with the written troubles of the people
Traditional Curanderismo Healing
Curanderismo is a form of traditional healing that covers Native American, Spanish and Mexican healing practices. A few curanderos, the healers, provide information on these comprehensive systems that embrace the use of natural products and spiritual well-being. Those willing to learn more and experience it can have a chance to visit curandero which would explain more about local people’s views regarding health and harmony.
Taos Pueblo: A Living Heritage Site
Native people have occupied Taos Pueblo for more than a thousand years. It is included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage sites and is the oldest living culture in the United States. You can explore the many-storied structures constructed of adobe that have been inhabited by Pueblo Indians. You can also visit the modern Pueblo people still living and working there.
Alcalde’s Luminaria on Christmas Eve
The Christmas of New Mexico is brightened by luminarias, or Farolitos, small paper lanterns placed along pathways and houses. The small town of Alcalde celebrates with a large, illuminated structure that lights up the night. It is a beautiful tradition that gives the town a serene, and peaceful feel as families come out to take walks on the lit paths.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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