Kewa Pueblo, New Mexico
Nestled along the eastern banks of the Rio Grande, strategically positioned between the bustling cities of Albuquerque and Santa Fe, New Mexico, lies the Kewa Pueblo, formerly known as the Santo Domingo Pueblo. This vibrant community stands as a testament to the enduring spirit and rich cultural heritage of the Pueblo people.
The Kewa Pueblo, New Mexico, like other Keresan-speaking Pueblo communities, traces its roots back to the ancient Anasazi, a civilization renowned for its architectural prowess, agricultural innovations, and artistic skills in pottery and basketry. The ancestors of the Kewa people are believed to have originated from the areas surrounding Chaco Canyon in New Mexico and Mesa Verde in Colorado, significant centers of Anasazi culture. Around the 13th century, a period marked by climatic shifts and social unrest, the Keresan people migrated from their traditional canyon homelands, establishing new pueblos across the landscape of New Mexico.
The Kewa people initially settled in at least two villages named Gipuy, located a few miles north of their present-day location. However, these early settlements were eventually destroyed by devastating floods, prompting the community to relocate to its current site. Historically, the people of Kewa Pueblo spoke Keres, an eastern dialect of the Keresan languages. Like many other Pueblo communities, they adhere to a matrilineal kinship system, where lineage, inheritance, and property are passed down through the maternal line, solidifying the importance of women in their social structure. Once settled in their new location, the people dedicated themselves to cultivating their religious practices, artistic expressions, and craftsmanship. The Kewa Pueblo has remained a bastion of tradition.
The arrival of Spanish explorers and colonizers, led by Juan de Oñate in the summer of 1598, marked a significant turning point in the history of the Kewa Pueblo. Initially, many Pueblo people formed alliances with the Spanish, seeking protection against the raids of Apache and Comanche tribes. The Spanish established El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro (Royal Road) along existing Indian trails, further solidifying their presence in the region. By 1610, the Pueblo had become a central hub for the Spanish colonial mission system, with the construction of the first church in 1607. The Kewa Pueblo, New Mexico, was at the center of these events.
However, the alliance with the Spanish proved to be short-lived. As the Spanish became increasingly oppressive and failed to effectively stop the raids, Santo Domingo emerged as a key staging ground for the Pueblo Revolt of 1680. This uprising, a coordinated effort by various Pueblo communities, successfully drove the Spanish out of the region. During the revolt, the people of Santo Domingo killed three priests and destroyed the church, symbolizing their rejection of Spanish rule and religious imposition.
In 1692, under the leadership of Diego de Vargas, the Spanish army reconquered New Mexico and re-established control over the abandoned pueblos and missions. Fray Antonio Zamora spearheaded the construction of a new church in the mid-1700s, financed with his own resources. During this period, the pueblo featured two churches standing side-by-side, facing south. The older church primarily served as a burial site, reflecting the community’s reverence for their ancestors. The story of the Kewa Pueblo, New Mexico, is a complex interplay of tradition and change.
While farming along the Rio Grande offered the advantage of a consistent water supply, it also brought the risk of devastating floods. Major floods in 1780, 1823, and 1830 caused significant damage to the pueblo. The people of Santo Domingo constructed levees in an attempt to protect their community from the encroaching waters. Despite these efforts, a particularly severe flood in June 1886 destroyed the church and cemetery, leaving a steep embankment in their place. This disaster necessitated the construction of a new pueblo, designed around a central plaza with long blocks of adobe houses lining a wide central street. Surviving structures were incorporated into the new plan, and the pueblo was extended eastward. Two large kivas, circular rooms used for religious ceremonies, were built within the pueblo, underscoring the importance of traditional spiritual practices. The pueblo remained without a church for ten years, until a new one was built in a style reminiscent of the destroyed adobe mission.
Agriculture has always been a cornerstone of Pueblo life, deeply intertwined with their religious beliefs and cultural practices. The Kewa people believe in maintaining balance in all aspects of life, and ceremonies play a vital role in achieving this harmony. Kachina dances, featuring elaborate costumes, singing, and chanting, are performed to promote crop growth and maintain cosmic equilibrium. The meanings behind these ceremonies are considered sacred, and in the past, those suspected of revealing ceremonial secrets faced severe punishment. Today, some aspects of these dances are open to the public, offering a glimpse into the rich spiritual life of the Kewa people.
The construction of the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad between 1880 and 1881 had a profound impact on the Kewa Pueblo, New Mexico, and the surrounding region. The railroad led to a decline in traffic along the Camino Real, altering the traditional lifeways of the Pueblo people. A railroad station was built at the Pueblo, and railroad companies actively promoted the Pueblo people and their crafts to tourists. In the early 20th century, automobile tourists began visiting Santo Domingo Pueblo, and in 1922, the Seligman family constructed an adobe trading post near the Santa Fe Railroad. This two-story building, built in the Mission Revival style, was located just north of an older trading post dating back to 1880, which the Seligmans used as a warehouse. A small stucco residence was added to the south of the warehouse.
Colorful signs on the trading post proclaimed it as "The Most Interesting Spot in the Old West" and "Where Real Indians Trade," attracting tourists and providing a vital source of goods for the local community.
The pre-1937 alignment of Route 66 passed through the Pueblo in 1926, further increasing tourism and economic opportunities. Roadside stands were set up along the highway, selling crafts, pottery, and turquoise jewelry to passing travelers. However, in 1932, the highway was shifted to the east road, and in 1937, Route 66 was realigned along a shorter route that bypassed Santa Fe, diverting traffic away from the Pueblo. Despite this change, the Santo Domingo Trading Post continued to operate until 1995, when its owner, Fred Thompson, passed away. The trading post, a familiar landmark on postcards and guidebooks, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1998, but was severely damaged by a fire in 2001.
After more than two decades of closure, $1.5 million in grants was allocated to restore the historic trading post. While the building’s exterior has been renovated, it is unclear whether it is regularly open to the public. The central portion of the pueblo was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. In 2009, the pueblo officially changed its name from Santo Domingo Pueblo to Kewa Pueblo, reflecting a renewed emphasis on their ancestral language and identity.
Today, the Kewa Pueblo is a federally recognized tribe with approximately 5,000 members, with around 2,500 residing in or near the pueblo. Unlike many other Native American tribes, the Kewa people have never been forcibly displaced, allowing them to maintain a continuous connection to their ancestral homeland for thousands of years. They have preserved their rich culture, traditional religious practices, and social structure. While many tribal nations face the challenge of indigenous language loss, over 80 percent of Kewa children still speak their native Keresan language.
The Kewa Pueblo, New Mexico, has a long-standing tradition of producing, trading, and selling crafts, particularly jewelry and pottery. Visitors to the pueblo can witness the traditional way of life of the people and attend certain ceremonial events, such as the internationally renowned Corn Dance held annually on August 4. This celebration, known as the Green Corn Dance, honors the community’s patron saint, Saint Dominic, and features over 1,000 men, women, and children adorned in ceremonial attire, dancing in the plaza to the rhythm of chanting and drums. Visitors are welcome to this event, which draws thousands of spectators from around the world. During the celebration, Pueblo Indian potters and silversmiths showcase their creations for sale.
The community also hosts the Kewa Pueblo Annual Arts & Crafts Market each Labor Day weekend, featuring around 350 artists and making it one of the largest tribally run art markets in the United States. A cultural center and small museum provide visitors with the opportunity to learn more about the area and its inhabitants.
The Kewa Pueblo is located approximately 25 miles south of Santa Fe, New Mexico. To reach the pueblo, take I-25 south of Santa Fe to exit 259, then follow New Mexico Highway 22 to Indian Service Road 88 to the restored Santo Domingo Trading Post. Turn left (west) to reach the pueblo.
More Information:
Kewa Pueblo
PO Box 99
Santo Domingo Pueblo, NM 87052
505-465-2214/221