The
Zuni Pueblo
by
Dr Katherine Aaron
The
people of Zuni consider their Pueblo to be an artist
colony since over 80% of all income is from the sale
of local artwork. Most noted are the Zuni Fetish carvings.
Fetishes have been a part of the Zuni culture for as
long as they have been in existence. Other Native American
tribes have long considered Zuni fetishes as being the
finest fetishes available. Trade and purchase of these
fetishes for traditional uses continues today.
The
other art form the Zuni are best appreciated for is
their jewelry which is made of small precisely cut stones
set in sterling silver known as pettipoint and needlepoint.The
other form of jewelry making the Zuni are world renown
for is inlay work, which is arranging the stones in
a picture or a pattern that lays flat in a silver setting.
The first silversmith jeweler was Lanyade who in turn
taught many other Zuni artists his skill. Prior to Lanyade,
the Zuni only used non-precious metals to make settings.
Since Lanyade, the skill of Zuni jewelry artists are
appreciated and sought after worldwide.
Utilitarian
basket and pottery making has been a part of the Zuni
people since the beginning. Pottery shards have been
dated and cataloged from the region and are regarded
as some of the best examples of pottery in the area.
Traditional pottery, created in the hand coiled method
is still produced. Traditional pots are still painted
with natural pigments found on the Zuni reservation.
Baskets and pottery are mostly sold as artwork today.
However baskets are still woven to be used for ceremonial
purposes and specific types of pottery are used to keep
and feed fetishes and for other ceremonial uses.
Most
of us know Kachinas as elaborate Zuni carvings. But
to the Zuni, Kachinas are actually the spirits of powerful
people who have passed away but still inhabit Zuni without
a physical body much like Catholic saints or Greek gods.
The carvings, also called Kachinas, are images of these
spirit people carved out of wood with local materials
and pigments used to clothe and decorate them. Kachinas
as an art form are highly collectible.
Historically
known as peaceful farmers, the Zuni people have lived
in this region of the Southwest since 700 BC. It’s
currently the largest Pueblo covering over 700 square
miles and supporting over 10,000 inhabitants. The majority
of the Zuni population lives in the main village of
Zuni or in Black Rock, a suburb community nearby but
many choose to live in traditional dwellings in the
remote outback just like their ancestors did.
In
1539 it was Friar Marcos De Niza’s visit to Zuni
that flamed the fiery passion to find the legendary
Seven Cities of Gold. This led to Coronado’s quest
resulting in the occupation and downfall of many of
the tribes in the Southwest. However, the remote location
of the Zuni peoples kept their culture in tact. The
Zuni are still considered one of the most traditional
of all the Pueblos of the Southwest.
Today
Zuni is a sovereign, self-governed nation with its
own constitutional government, court system, police
department and schools. They mark their years with
traditional ceremonies, the most sacred and perhaps
the most recognized is the annual Sha'lak'o event.
Although many of these religious celebrations are
open to the public, one must always remain respectful
by obeying the rules set by the Pueblo government.
The Zuni Pueblo holds many treasures in its culture and in the people both
living and deceased. There are many ancient sacred sites that may be visited
with a guide and there’s always plenty of artwork to take home. Photography
is limited and you must always ask before photographs can be taken, but you
can purchase photos of the breathtaking beauty of the Zuni to remind you of
your visit to this amazing part of the traditional Southwest.
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