Information AboutZuni |
The Zuni ( tribe, one of the Pueblo People s, most of whom live in the Pueblo Of Zuñi on the Zuni River , a tributary of the Little Colorado River , in western New Mexico . Zuñi is 55 km (35 miles) south of Gallup, New Mexico and has a population of about 12,000, with over 80% being Native Americans, with 43.0% of the population below the Poverty Line as defined by the U.S. income standards. However, many of the people do not consider their low income and lifestyle to be poverty. {Link without Title} CULTURE Zuni traditionally speak the Zuni Language , a unique language which is unrelated to the languages of the other Pueblo peoples. The Zuni continue to practice their traditional Shamanistic Religion with its regular Ceremonies and Dance s and an independent Mythology . The Zuni Tribal Fair and Rodeo is held the third weekend in August. The Zuni participate in the Gallup Inter-Tribal Ceremonial HISTORY The Zuni, like other Pueblo peoples, are believed to be the descendants of the Ancient Pueblo Peoples who lived in the desert Southwest of New Mexico, Arizona , Southern Colorado and Utah for a thousand years. Archeological Evidence shows they have lived in their present location for about 1,300 years. Before the Pueblo Revolt of 1680 , the Zuni lived in six different villages. After the revolt, until 1692 , they took refuge in a defensible position atop Dowa Yalanne , a steep Mesa 5 km (2 miles) southeast of the present Pueblo of Zuñi. After the establishment of peace and the Return Of The Spanish , the Zuni relocated in their present location, only briefly returning to the mesa top in 1703 . Frank Hamilton Cushing , a pioneering Anthropologist associated with the Smithsonian Institution , lived with the Zuni from 1879 to 1884 . He was one of the first Participant Observer s and an Ethnologist . A recent controversy involved Zuni opposing the development of a Coal mine near the Zuni Salt Lake , a site considered sacred by the Zuni and under Zuni control. The mine would have extracted water from the Aquifer below the lake as well as involved construction between the lake and Zuñi [http://web.archive.org/web/20040725084912/http://www.sacredland.org/zuni_salt_lake.html . The plan died after several lawsuits. MISCELLANEOUS The Zuni were and are a peaceful, deeply traditional people who lived by Irrigated Agriculture and now by the sale of traditional Craft s. Their location is relatively isolated, but they welcome respectful tourists. Carved stone animal Fetish es, Jewelry , Needlepoint , and Pottery are popular items. There is an old Spanish Mission , Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission, which is a popular attraction; and a tribal Museum , A:shiwi A:wan Museum & Heritage Center . Of late, Gavin Menzies has suggested that the Zuni share some affinities with the Japan ese people, due in part to linguistic and cultural similarities. This view, however, is not accepted by most scholars. ZUNI IN POPULAR CULTURE
BOOKS ON ZUñI BY FRANK CUSHING
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