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NEW MEXICO INSPIRATION | Cultural Attractions
New Mexicans are fiercely proud of their cultural traditions. As a result, many aspects of their cultures remain distinct and vibrant, even as much of America becomes more blended. Many Native Americans, for example, work in a city, but still live or maintain a family home on their Pueblo. It is not unusual for professional Native Americans to wear business dress in town one day, and then traditional garb for a Pueblo ceremony the next day.
Hispanics also celebrate their traditions in language, art, music, dance, food, and the use of dichos, or traditional sayings. Many, but not all, Hispanics remain Catholic and New Mexico is one of the few places in the United States where religious processions still take place. Children are often raised to speak both English and Spanish. Hispanic culture is very much a part of everyday life throughout New Mexico.
The Old West adds its own flavor to the cultural mix. There are still large ranches in New Mexico and rodeos are very popular. Many residents wear cowboy boots or hats in Western style. Modern Anglo-Americans have made major contributions to science and the performing arts that add contemporary sophistication to cherished traditions.
Ideas of Places to Visit: Past
Native American
• Turquoise Trail. Ancient Native Americans mined turquoise in the area around the Cerrillos Hills, then traded it to other tribes as far away as California. Spaniards and Anglo-Americans also used the mines.
• Trading Posts. Historically, trading posts were the link between Native Americans and the rest of America. Native Americans traded arts and crafts for vital goods and staples. Some of the trading posts that still exist today have been owned by the same families for several generations. There are well-known trading posts in the Gallup and Four Corners areas.
• Ceremonies. From the Coming of Age ceremony for Apache women to Pueblo dances that mark the changing of seasons, there are many opportunities to see ancient Native American ceremonies.
• Ethnographic Shows. Two large annual shows, the Antique Ethnographic Art Show and the Antique Indian Art Show, both in Santa Fe, show and sell Indian art from all over the Southwest and the rest of the world.
Hispanic
• Los Luceros. Once the estate of a Spanish soldier, Los Luceros was later the home of anthropologist Mary Cabot Wheelwright. It has been completely restored and is now open to visitors. Near Española.
• Hacienda de los Martinez. This large hacienda, once home to a Spanish family, gives a good idea of what life in the early 1800s was like. In Taos.
• Casa San Ysidro. Once the home of a host who would not allow visitors, this restored hacienda, located in a picturesque community, is very charming. Near Albuquerque.
• Matachine Dances. These dances were brought to New Mexico from Spain and are still performed in northern New Mexico around Easter. Native Americans also adopted these dances, in which men wear black headdresses and hoods that cover their heads. They are usually performed in winter.
• Comanche Dances. These old dances commemorate clashes between the Spanish and Indian tribes from the Great Plains who raided both Spanish and Pueblo settlements. The dances take place in small traditional Hispanic villages in northern New Mexico.
Anglo
• Ghost Ranch. Artist Georgia O'Keeffe once owned a summer home at Ghost Ranch. It is now a conference and retreat center which offers many interesting workshops. Near Abiquiú.
• Abiquiú. O'Keeffe lived in the tiny town of Abiquiú and painted the scenery she saw nearby. It is possible to tour her home with advance arrangements. There is a popular lake near Abiquiú.
• Madrid. Once a booming mining town, Madrid is now home to artists and owners of small cafés and shops. South of Santa Fe.
• Ghost Towns. There are ghost towns in many areas of New Mexico. They each have interesting stories, and some are reputed have a resident ghosts.
• Mabel Dodge Luhan House. Mabel Dodge Luhan was an heiress who moved to Taos in the early 1900s. She was known as a leader of society. Writer D. H. Lawrence, Carl Jung and Ansel Adams were among her famous visitors. Her house still stands in Taos.
• Lincoln. Lincoln is Billy the Kid country. Memorabilia from the Kid's infamous escapades is displayed in and around this restored Western town.
Ideas of Places to Visit: Present
Native American
• Indian Market. The largest juried show of Indian art in the world, the annual Indian Market in Santa Fe draws more than a thousand artists. The work presented is very diverse—ranging from pottery, weaving, jewelry, carving, to sculpture and more. The Market is held outdoors in summer.
• Native American Fashion. Indian designers create contemporary garments inspired by their traditions. Private visits may be arranged.
• Pow-wows. Indian nations gather to celebrate their culture at annual pow-wows. Attending a pow-wow ceremony is a great introduction to Native American culture.
Hispanic
Nick Herrera• Spanish Market. Traditional Hispanic arts are judged and sold at this annual outdoor event. Artists save their best work to enter in the prize competition. There are painted and carved images of saints, embroidery, tinwork, pottery, weaving, jewelry, furniture, and wrought iron. The event is held in the summer and includes a special market for young artists. A Contemporary Hispanic Market is held at the same time. There is a smaller Spanish Market in winter.
• Weavers. Weaving in the Rio Grande style, the oldest style of Hispanic weaving in New Mexico, is still found in northern New Mexico, especially in Chimayó and Los Ojos.
Anglo
• Santa Fe Opera. The Santa Fe Opera has a 50-year history of bringing international stars and lavish productions to Santa Fe. The open-air theater is a work of art in itself. Performances are in July and August.
• Houses and Gardens. Many spectacular homes and gardens hide behind adobe walls. Private tours of numbers of them can be arranged.
• Flea Market. Buy almost anything at this popular outdoor flea market, held on weekends during the warm season. North of Santa Fe.
• SITE Santa Fe Biennial. Inspired by the one in Venice, this semi-annual show brings the best in provocative contemporary art to Santa Fe.
• Rodeos. From elaborate, professional rodeo to small town events, there is enough bronco riding, bull wrestling, and calf roping to satisfy even the greatest Western fans.• Very Large Array. A cluster of 27 huge radio telescopes listen for sounds from space. Near Socorro.
• UFOs/Roswell. Stories persist that an alien space ship crashed in the desert near Roswell in 1947. The government insists it was a weather balloon, but Roswell remains iconic among UFO believers. There is a fun, funky museum in Roswell, and a UFO festival is held there every July.• Santa Fe Film Festival. There is a first-rate film festival in Santa Fe in the fall. The organization screens movies year-round at its own theater.
• Other Cultures. Dar al Islam is a Muslim educational center and mosque near Abiquiú. North America's largest Sikh community, Siri Singh Sikh Dharma is in Santa Cruz. Santa Fe has welcomed a small group of Tibetan political refugees as part of a United Nations Tibetan resettlement project.
