Taos Pueblo

For awhile I have been on a quest to feel the energy of my ancestors. This was a trip I took for my birthday in August of 2017. I had been on the hunt for a drum and I had heard this might be the place to find a drum to my liking. I found this place to have its own special magic. Taos Pueblo, Taos, New Mexico, U.S.A., is an ancient American Indian community belonging to the Tiwa. The Tiwa are considered to be one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in America and has been designated a World Heritage Site.

The Taos community is known for being one of the most private, secretive, and conservative pueblos. I can attest to this secrecy. Since I was unable to attend during festival time when I was invited, I was not allowed to visit the sacred Kiva ceremonial space. Only those invited are allowed to enter sacred spaces. Just in case you do not know what a Kiva is, take a look at my cover page photo (a photo I took at Chimney Rock, Colorado), I'll tell you more about that experience another time. A Kiva is a sacred room used by American Indians for religious rituals and meetings. Some Hopi and most other Pueblo peoples use Kivas for spiritual ceremonies. I am one quarter Hopi. The Ancients, as we call them used Kivas for domestic residences, social and ceremonial purposes.

I found the art to capture my full attention. I am usually attracted to art but this place held some of the most special and sacred art that called to my soul. There was an instant connection and I enjoyed every minute of this experience. True love.

Sage and natural herbs are very important sage for sacred ceremonies and the daily life of an American Indian. So seeing this everywhere was a true comfort and the smell was everywhere. The aroma to the sense of smell was delightful and ease to the physical body. A purifying and cleansing for me.

I loved this beautiful sculpture as soon as I saw her, she reminded me of some far off place I once knew. The artistic talent in this peace reveals to me a person who has been working on stone for many years. The colors are simple yet perfect.

I found many drums to my liking but not my pocket, this drum was absolutely delightful. I loved the color, paintwork, sound, skin, but it was far too large. The photo could not capture the actual size, which was more of a Pow Wow sized drum. One many people would beat in sequence during a large event.

Unfortunately, many of the accounts we hear from American Indians is fact, and Christians took it upon themselves to wipe the American Indian way of life and ceremony from them. This is a symbol of proof that Christianity made a visit on ancient lands and it still has a place at the Taos Pueblo. A church still stands and is kept in pristine condition (photos were not allowed inside the church.) I found this photo looking towards the Pueblo from the church to mean so many things that a person usually cannot express in words.

I will forever be grateful for what I am able to see in this world and share with others. If you are reading this fellow Steemian, I thank you. Peace.

(All photographs were taken by Eagle Spirit - Casandra)