on location: west ❖
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New Mexico’s Cultural Mosaic
Color-splashed festivals and markets spotlight Native American tribes
The Taos Pueblo Pow Wow (top) and Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial, two of New Mexico’s biggest summer events, draw tribes from across the U.S.
S
ituated between Texas and Arizona,
American festival, market, corn dance or
Miss Indian World Pageant at the Hard
New Mexico abounds with natural
feast day. Such events are held through-
Rock Hotel and Casino on the Isleta
out the year in many parts of the state.
Pueblo (just minutes south of Albu-
splendors, from mountains, rivers and lakes to the underground majesty of
Photos Courtesy of New Mexico Tourism Department
Carlsbad Caverns. Cities like Albu-
Spring
querque), with crowning at “The Pit.” (gatheringofnations.com)
querque and Santa Fe offer enough
The 29th annual Gathering of Na-
shopping, dining and sights to fill a week
tions Powwow in Albuquerque, set for
or more. But visiting New Mexico would
April 26-28, has been selected by the
The 27th annual Taos Pueblo Pow
not be complete without an intimate en-
American Bus Association as a Top 100
Wow takes place July 13-15. Visitors
counter or two with its Native American
Event in North America for 2012. Some
will be able to browse arts and crafts ta-
heritage.
3,000 dancers from more than 500 tribes
bles, watch the Kiowa Gourd Dance and
Summer
A visit to an Indian pueblo or archae-
in the U.S., Canada and Mexico com-
witness daily dance competitions fea-
ological site sheds light on early civiliza-
pete at the University of New Mexico
turing members of Indian tribes through-
tions, but one of the best ways to
Arena, “The Pit.” About 800 vendors par-
out the country. Taos Pueblo, with its
discover the cultures of New Mexico’s
ticipate in the Indian Traders Market that
apartment-like adobe dwellings, has
first inhabitants is to take in a Native
weekend. Another highlight: the 2012
been a home for the Tiwa people for
24 February 2012
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