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The Pueblo of Jemez (pronounced "Hay-mess"
or traditionally as "He-mish") is a federally recognized
dependent sovereign Nation of North American Indians with just
over 3,000 tribal members, most of whom reside within the sole
remaining village that is known as "Walatowa" (there
once were over 60 Jemez Puebloan villages but warfare and disease
brought by the Spanish terminated their existence). Walatowa is
located in the Jemez Mountains of North-Central New Mexico (USA),
approximately 35 linear miles northwest of Albuquerque and roughly
45 linear miles southwest of Santa Fe. Los Alamos National Laboratory
is situated 26 linear miles toward the northeast (12 linear miles
from the reservation boundary). The Pueblo of Jemez is one of
19 Pueblos located within New Mexico. However, the language (Towa)
is unique and spoken only by the Jemez People. In fact, unwritten
traditional tribal law forbids the written translation of the
Towa language into English or any other form of written language
in order to protect the internal preservation that it provides.
Since over 90% of the tribal members speak the Towa language fluently,
the language is not in danger of being lost.
In terms of economics, the Pueblo of Jemez is
not a gaming tribe (no casinos), nor does it have any viable oil
or gas resources and it is not situated near any major highways
or population centers. Most of the resident tribal members are
therefore farmers, ranchers, craftsmen and excellent artists.
A few commute great distances each day to work in Albuquerque,
Santa Fe, and at Los Alamos National Laboratory. A few are also
employed locally by the USDA Forest Service and a small number
work directly for the tribe. Overall, the average annual income
at Walatowa is less than $ 3000.
The Tribal Government for the Pueblo of Jemez
consist of a "secular" side (mandated by Royal Spanish
Decree of 1620) which administrates all matters having to do with
the "outside world", and the "Supreme Council of
Traditional Leaders" (deeply rooted in prehistory) which
administers all matters of internal significance. The secular
government includes a "Tribal Council" (composed of
ex-Governors), a Governor, two Lt. Governors, two Fiscales (church
officers/children's Governors) and a Tribal Sheriff. Youthful
assistants (Aids) are assigned to assist these secular officers.
With the exception of the Tribal Council (members serve for life),
the three Governors, the Fiscales, the Tribal Sheriff, and the
designated Aids are all appointed (not elected) on an annual basis
by the Supreme Council of Traditional Leaders. However, the Governor
then assumes position on the Tribal Council after his term has
been completed. As far as outside interaction with the Tribe is
concerned, all official communications must first be initiated
through the "Office of the Governor", who then consults
with, or delegates to, the full-time Staff of Departmental Directors
(Dept. of Archaeology and Preservation, Dept. of Health, Dept.
of Tourism, Senior Citizens Program, Tribal Court, etc.).
The People of the Pueblo of Jemez are "extremely"
traditional and their ancient knowledge has been well preserved
through their songs, stories, customs and drawings on rock (petroglyphs
and pictographs). Elders and children are especially important
and their well-being is a top priority. Of the utmost importance
is the protection and preservation of the Ancestral Jemez lands,
artifacts and the numerous ancestral village sites (archaeological),
most of which now lay in ruins on nearby lands that were involuntarily
taken from the Jemez People over the past 300 years. In fact,
the ancestors of the Jemez People constructed some of the largest
prehistoric architectural structures (made from wet-laid volcanic
stone) ever built in what is now the United States with some pueblos
containing well over 2500 rooms under a single roof that projected
upwards of four and five stories high. These ancestral sites and
lands are still paid tribute to each and every day through the
thoughts, prayers and spiritual offerings of the Jemez People.
Although first contact between the Jemez and the
Spanish Europeans took place in July of 1540, the Jemez were already
aware of the Spanish presence to the south (Mexico) due to reports
provided by visiting Aztec and Mexican Indians. Almost from day
one, the Jemez People stood in opposition to the Europeans due
to the fact that the army of General Francisco Vasquez de Coronado
took a prominent Pecos leader hostage...and the Pecos were kinsmen
of the Jemez People. Coronado returned to Mexico in 1542 and it
was not until 1581 that the Europeans again entered the Jemez
Domain (Chamuscado Expedition credited with first using the term
"Nuevo Mejico"). In 1583, the Espejo Expedition entered
the Jemez Domain and recorded 30,000 "souls" living
within the Jemez Nation. In July of 1598, the first colonizing
expedition entered the area under Don Juan de Onate. From this
point forward, Jemez history was one of strong resistance, including
a major role in the "Great Pueblo Revolt of 1680" during
which, all Europeans were expelled from the "Kingdom and
Provinces of New Mexico". Finally, in 1696, the last stronghold
of the Jemez Nation fell to the Spanish cross, crown and sword
of Don Diego DeVargas. The estimated population of the entire
Jemez Nation was now only a few hundred people and most of their
sacred lands were taken away as punishment for their resistance.
Today, the Jemez Pueblo of Walatowa is not open
to exploration by tourists or non-Tribal members. Any person needing
to enter the Pueblo should first check-in with the Visitors Center
or the Governors Office. Additional information to accommodate
a visit can be obtained through the Pueblo's Visitors Center ((505)
834-7235). It is very important to note that certain "rules
and guidelines" must be followed to ensure that ones visit
is enjoyable:
First, absolutely NO PHOTOGRAPHY, VIDEOGRAPHY,
AUDIO RECORDING, SKETCHING or DRAWING is permitted and any such
tools, if found, will be confiscated by Tribal Officials and the
violator(s) will be escorted out of the Pueblo and off of Tribal
Lands.
Second, it is improper to climb
on the walls of the ancient buildings and any artifacts, feathers,
beads etc. should be left on the ground if found anywhere within
the Pueblo.
Third, it is improper and disrespectful
for visitors to walk within the dance plaza, even if the dancers
are not present at the time. All movements should be confined
to the periphery of the plaza. Applause after dances also are
not appropriate and it is considered very rude to conduct business
or loudly socialize during a dance. Care should also be taken
not to block the view of the elders and physically challenged
and not to block the doorways into the adjacent homes.
Fourth, the Pueblo's Kivas and
graveyards are not to be entered by non-Puebloan People and visitors
are not permitted to drive on any of the Pueblo's back-roads.
A few popular misconceptions regarding the Pueblo of Jemez exist
in the published literature. For example, the name "Jemez"
does not mean "mirage people" or "people of the
canyon". Likewise, the name "Walatowa" does not
translate to "village of the bear". The true definition
of these words constitute intellectual property that the Tribal
Leaders choose not to share with those of the outside world. Another
misconception promoted in the published archaeological literature
is that the Jemez Culture originated from the now vanished "Gallina
Culture" (ca. AD 1000-1300), a prehistoric cultural group
that once existed some 60 miles to the northwest of the Jemez
Pueblo of Walatowa. In fact, there are no "unique or diagnostic"
similarities between the Gallina and the Ancestral Jemez Culture,
and those that have been cited in the archaeological literature
can also be universally seen as similarities between the Gallina
and the ancestors of all present day Puebloan Cultures. Furthermore,
the detailed oral history of the Jemez People clearly indicates
that they have no connection to the Gallina Culture (contrary
to what some anthropologist have claimed), whose presence is noted
in the authentic telling of the Ancestral Jemez Migration epic
within which the ca. AD 1300 movement of the Jemez People from
the "Four-Corners Area" to their present homeland in
the Jemez Mountains is clearly recorded.
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