Sign Text for This New Mexico Landmark:
The six original Zuni pueblos were the legendary “Seven Cities of Cibola” sought by Vásquez de Coronado in 1540. They were abandoned during the Pueblo Revolt, and the present pueblo was settled in 1699 after the Spanish reconquest. In 1970, Zuni became the first Indian community to administer its own reservation affairs.
More about the Pueblo of Zuni:
Originally, there was no one Zuni Pueblo but 6 or 7 pueblos called Hawikuh! Like “Navajo,” “Zuni” was a name given to the A:shiwi people by the Spanish, who arrived here on an erroneous tip that these were the seven golden cities of Cibola! What followed were almost two centuries of subjugation under the Spanish military and mission system, which crescendoed with the Pueblo Revolt of 1680!
Sadly, the original pueblos were never inhabited again, and the remaining A:shiwi gathered here at Halonawa, which we now call Zuni Pueblo. Mostly because there were no major gold discoveries in the area, the A:shiwi have not repeatedly kicked off their land and have maintained many of their original customs. Today, Zuni Pueblo is the largest of New Mexico’s 19 pueblos and world famous for their silverwork, pottery, and carved stone fetishes!
Like Taos Pueblo, the residents maintain a lot of secrecy about their traditions after so much brutal suppression by the Spanish. This was reinforced in 1879 when Frank Cushing of the Smithsonian came to live in the Pueblo for four and a half years, then published a whole bunch of information about their customs that he’d promised to keep secret. With that in mind, just under 100 years later, on May 23, 1970, Zuni Pueblo became the first tribe to self govern, out from under the supervision of the Bureau of Indian Affairs via Federal Law 25 U.S.C. 48, which had been sitting on the law books since 1834!
How Can I #HelpTheHelpers?
- Volunteer with Zuni Pueblo MainStreet!
- Donate to the Zuni Pueblo MainStreet!
- Be a responsible visitor! Please respect the signs and pathways, and treat all structures and artifacts with respect. They’ve endured a lot to survive into the present. They’ll need our help to make it into the future!
How Do I Get There?
Landmark sign:
- North side of NM-53
2.1 mi E of Zuni, NM 87327
Visitor Center
- 1239 State Hwy. 53
Zuni, NM 87327
When Should I Visit?
To schedule a tour of Zuni Pueblo and get a permit to take photos, you’ll have to stop by the visitor center, which is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM!
SUPER IMPORTANT: You will not be allowed to take photos in Zuni Pueblo without this permit, so plan accordingly!