A:shiwi A:wan Museum and Heritage Center facts for kids

The A:shiwi A:wan Museum and Heritage Center is a special place located in Zuni, New Mexico, United States. It helps share the rich history and culture of the Zuni people. Jim Enote is the person in charge, serving as the museum's executive director.

About the Museum

The idea for the A:shiwi A:wan Museum started a long time ago. The Zuni tribe began planning for it in the 1960s and 1970s. It took some time to gather enough money and support.

How the Museum Started

In 1992, the museum officially became a nonprofit organization. This means it's a group that works for a good cause, not to make money. When it first opened, it had just one room. This room showed exhibits about the Zuni way of life.

The building where the museum is now used to be a trading post. A trading post was a store where people could buy and sell goods. This old building was known as the Hebadina Building.

What You Can See

One of the main exhibits at the museum is called "The Hawikku: 'Echoes From Our Past'". This exhibit teaches visitors about the Zuni people's beliefs. It covers their creation stories and how they moved to different places. It also shares their history from the last 500 years.

You can see many old photographs in the museum. These pictures show Zuni life from the 1800s all the way to today. They help you imagine what life was like in the past.

Outside the museum, there are special gardens. These are traditional Zuni waffle gardens. They were created by the museum working with the Zuni Farmers Co-operative. These gardens show how the Zuni people have grown food for a long time.

Events and Festivals

The A:shiwi A:wan Museum also helps host a fun event every year. It's called the Zuni Festival of Arts and Culture. This festival happens every May. The museum works with the Museum of Northern Arizona to put on this event. It's a great way to experience Zuni art and culture.