Taos Pueblo

Taos Pueblo is an ancient residential settlement in New Mexico.

It is home to a Taos-speaking, or Tiwa, Native American tribe. The community is one of the Eight Northern Pueblos. This site is recognized globally for its importance. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also a National Historic Landmark.

The pueblo is located north of the modern city of Taos. It sits against the Taos Mountains of the Sangre de Cristo Range.

The architecture of the pueblo is its most famous feature.

The buildings are made of reddish-brown adobe. Adobe is a building material made of mud and straw. The structures are multi-storied residential complexes. They are built on both sides of the Rio Pueblo de Taos. This stream is also known as Red Willow Creek.

The buildings were originally stacked five or six stories high. They became narrower as they rose toward the sky. The roof of each level serves as the floor for the level above. Large wooden logs called vigas support these heavy roofs. In the past, people entered rooms through square holes in the roofs. They used long wooden ladders to climb inside.

The history of Taos Pueblo involves many different groups of people.

The Taos people likely migrated from the Four Corners region. They settled along the Rio Grande many centuries ago. In 1540, Spanish conquistadors arrived during the Coronado expedition. They were searching for the rumored Seven Cities of Gold. Around 1620, Spanish Jesuits built the mission of San Geronimo de Taos. This caused tension between the native people and the Spanish. In 1660, the native people destroyed the church. This period of conflict eventually led to the Pueblo Revolt of 1680.

Later, the United States took control of New Mexico in 1846.

This happened after the Battle of Santa Fe during the Mexican-American War. In 1847, Taos Pueblo people and Hispanos launched a rebellion. They were worried about losing their land to the new American government. This conflict resulted in a battle at Cañada. US forces then bombarded the pueblo and the church. More than 150 people were killed during this attack. These events shaped the relationship between the tribe and the US government.

Land rights have been a major part of the pueblo's modern history.

In the early 20th century, the US took some mountain land. This land became the Carson National Forest. The people worked to get this land back. In 1970, President Richard Nixon signed a law to return it. In 1996, more land near Blue Lake was also returned. Blue Lake is a very sacred site for the Taos people. They believe their ancestors originated from this lake.

The lake is also vital for their farming. It provides water for corn, beans, fruit, and livestock.

The government of Taos Pueblo follows a specific structure.

A leader called a cacique holds both spiritual and political power. The Tribal Council chooses the cacique for life. The council is made of former governors who act as advisors. A war chief and his deputies assist the cacique. They handle religious duties and community enforcement. The cacique also selects a Governor each year. This Governor represents the Pueblo in matters outside the community. These leadership roles are unpaid community service.

Culture and social life are deeply connected to the land.

There is a traditional rivalry between the North and South sides of the river. The North side is known as the winter people. The South side is known as the summer people. They express this rivalry through foot races. These races carry significant religious meaning. While some traditions are private, the community remains active. They run the Red Willow Cooperative to grow organic food.

This cooperative helps support the local economy and health.