Historic time period: Beginnings–1861
The Pueblo Indians of New Mexico have been living in the upper region of the Rio Grande River for more than 600 years.
During that time, their way of life has been challenged many times, but they have managed to maintain their most basic beliefs and traditions.
The people of the Santa Clara Pueblo have the same word for clay and for people, nung, because they believe that the first people emerged from Mother Earth.
Clay is a very important part of their lives. They say prayers when removing it from its home — the earth — and while preparing it for making pottery. Creating pottery fulfills them spiritually and creatively. Selling it provides income with which they support their families.
The area where the Pueblo Indians live is hot and dry. Their ancestors made pots in which to collect and store water. Investigate the roles that pottery and water play in their lives by discovering the symbolism of two modern pots in "Explore Pueblo Pots," and by reading When Clay Sings.
Read This Book
You can learn more by exploring these books. Click on the book titles below for more information, or visit our complete bibliography.
More Recommended Books
- Pueblo Storyteller by Diane Hoyt-Goldsmith
- Pueblo Girls: Growing Up in Two Worlds by Marcia Keegan
- Pueblo Boy Growing up in Two Worlds by Marcia Keegan
- The Pueblos by Suzanne Powell
Read When Clay Sings
Put together some of the pieces of prehistoric Indian pottery that sing of the Indian way of life in earlier times.Download the PDF »
Explore Pueblo Pots
Learn From Objects
Try your hand at being a potter and make a Pueblo-style pot.Download the PDF »