Taos Pueblo is the most northern of the Rio
Grande pueblos. It is certainly the most photographed present-day
Pueblo. It is nestled right next to the Sangre de Christo mountain
range. In some ways it's centuries-old architecture mimics the
mountains. Taos Pueblo is divided into a northern or winter house
and a southern or summer house. A small river runs between the two
halves of the pueblo. How does this architecture mimic the social
structure of the Taos people? How old is the pueblo? What sort of
government does the pueblo have? (Hint: look for more than one governing
system.) What important historical events has Taos been involved with
(there are several, beginning with Popay...)? What's up with the
turquoise doors? What are their important ceremonies? What about the
Sacred Blue Lake -- why is it important to the Taos people (there's a
political answer and a religious answer)? Is it true the Taos
Indians once killed the Governor of New Mexico?
Be careful in researching Taos Pueblo & don't
confuse it with the non-Indian town of Taos that is right next to the
Pueblo. That's where the artists and cowboys and hippies hang out. Great
town & "Michael's Cafe" serves tasty chilies, but your
research should be about the Pueblo. Pick your sources wisely. There is a lot of junk on the Internet
about Taos -- some of it is misleading or inaccurate.
Bibliography:
Bahti.Southwestern Indians
Gordon-McCutchan.Taos Indians & the Battle for Blue Lake
