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JUNE 21, 2000

A infamous ad jingle claims Gallup, New Mexico, is the heart of Indian Country, but you'd be hard pressed to find agreement with the sentiment this summer, as many of the state's 19 Pueblos become the gracious hosts to family, friends, and multitudes of visitors from throughout the world.

During the summer, many Pueblos will hold their own celebrations known as feast days. Typically, they fall on the day of the patron saint of the Pueblo, but the dances and ceremonies date back long before the arrival of Europeans to the continent.

The season kicks off this weekend at San Juan Pueblo, who provided the home to the state's first capital, established by Don Juan de Oñate in 1598. The Comanche Dance is the center of the Pueblo's annual feast day, being held this Saturday, June 24.

The Pueblo of Taos will also celebrate the day with Corn Dances.

Throughout the rest of the summer, Cochiti, Santa Ana, Santo Domingo, and Santa Clara will be a few of the Pueblos holding their own celebrations. A visitor can expect to see Corn, Buffalo, Harvest, and other dances from now until late August.

As with many traditions, the feast days are not just social events but religious ones. For this reason, respect of the ceremonies as well as the laws of each Pueblo are important.

More and more Pueblos are also offering other activities during the summer. The Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Council, an organization representing the eight pueblos of Northern New Mexico, will hold their Arts and Crafts Fair on July 15 and July 16 at San Juan Pueblo. Picuris Pueblo also holds their own Arts and Crafts Fair in the first weekend of July.

The event is a precursor to the nation's largest Indian arts market, held in the state's capital, Santa Fe. Sponsored by the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts, the 79th Annual Indian Market will be held August 19 and August 20 on the plaza.

Getting to Pueblo Country for all of the summer's events is easy for those visiting the state. Most Pueblos are less than a hour drive from the International airport in Albuquerque or less than an hour away from Santa Fe.

And with many tribes now boasting their own resorts and hotels, gaining the full Pueblo experience from past traditions to current economic empowerment gives visitors a more complete picture of life for New Mexico's first inhabitants.

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