Powwow Dancers

The Annual Taos Pueblo Pow Wow was established to showcase the natural beauty of the tribal homelands of the Taos Pueblo People. The mountains and valley of Taos have long since been an attraction to people from all over the world. Taos Pueblo, historically, was a gathering place for tribes from all directions. Trading included songs and dances, many are still used today by Taos Pueblo.

The Taos Pow Wow is gathering of the Native American Nations. It is a celebration commemorated with traditional dance and drumming competitions. The North-Side Pueblo is said to be one of the most photographed and painted buildings in the Western Hemisphere. It is the largest multistoried Pueblo structure still existing. It is made of adobe walls that are often several feet thick. Its primary purpose was for defense. Up to as late as 1900, access to the rooms on lower floors was by ladders on the outside to the roof, and then down an inside ladder. In case of an attack, outside ladders could easily be pulled up.

Powwow Dancer

The pueblo wall completely encloses the village except at the entrance as a symbol of the village boundaries. Now rather short, the wall used to be much taller for protection against surrounding tribes. The river running through the pueblo serves as the primary source for drinking and cooking water for the residents of the village. In the winter, the river never completely freezes although it does form a heavy layer of ice. Because the river moves so swiftly, the ice can be broken to obtain the fresh water beneath.

More information at: Taos Pueblo's Web Site.