Acoma, NM Sky City

Acoma Pueblo: Area: 248,000 acres, Population: ~572
Oldest continuously inhabited city in the USA

Acoma Pueblo is situated on top of a mesa, hundreds of feet above the surrounding land. It commands a breath-taking view of the countryside, other mesas and the distant mountains - no wonder it is called Sky City. Like the hilltowns of Italy, the location was chosen for protection from maruading enemies, but the incredible beauty of this panoramic view of the world must have had something to do with the decision, for the Indian people have an intense visual sensitivity, which anyone familar with their art can easily attest.

Acoma, which means People of the White Rock, has been inhabited since before the twelfth century. Most of the present day people have residences in other parts of the reservation or in several farming villages, but at no time is the pueblo on the mesa without several families living in the old houses and caring for the Fransciscan mission church of San Estevan, established in 1629, which, with the entire pueblo, has been proclaimed a National Historic Landmark. The ancient cemetary still stands outside the church, surrounded by an interesting wall surmounted by guardian heads.

The thin walled and delicately decorated pottery of Acoma is among the most prized of Indian crafts. Many fine pieces are on display and for sale in the Visitor's Center, at the base of the mesa. The Center has a fine museum and features One Thousand Years of Clay, Pottery and History. There are also a restaurant, shops and an information counter where tours of the pueblo may be arranged.

Throughout the year, there are a number of festivals and celebrations which visitors may attend. San Pedro's day is celebrated in June, St. James day and the Corn Dances of Santa Ana's day in July. The most popular festival is the feast of San Estevan, patron saint of the pueblo, in September. Some of the dances are performed in the satellite villages.