Dowa Yalanne facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dowa Yalanne |
|
|---|---|
 Dowa Yalanne
Location in New Mexico
|
|
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 7,274 ft (2,217 m) NGVD 29 |
| Geography | |
| Location | McKinley County, New Mexico, U.S. |
| Topo map | USGS Zuni |
Dowa Yalanne (which means "Corn Mountain" in the Zuni language) is a tall, steep flat-topped hill called a mesa. It is about 3 miles (5 km) southeast of the Pueblo of Zuni in McKinley County, New Mexico. You can easily see it from the Zuni Pueblo.
This mesa is very important and sacred to the Zuni people. It stands 7,274 feet (2,217 meters) high. In 1540, the Zuni people went to the top of Dowa Yalanne to stay safe from the Coronado expedition. Because it is a sacred place, outside visitors are not allowed on the mesa.
Contents
A Look at Dowa Yalanne's Past
People lived on Dowa Yalanne even before Europeans arrived in America.
A Safe Place from Attackers
In 1540, the Zuni people from a village called Hawikuu had to leave their homes. They went to the top of the Dowa Yalanne mesa to escape the attackers from the Coronado expedition. They built 14 structures on the mesa top. These buildings were used as a safe place between 1540 and 1680. They called these old buildings Heshoda Ayahltona, meaning "ancient buildings above."
Living on the Mesa Top
Before the Pueblo Revolt in 1680, the Zuni people lived in six different villages. After the revolt, they moved to the top of Dowa Yalanne for safety. They stayed there until 1692. During this time, they built about 48 Pueblo structures on the mesa top. The top of the mesa is quite large, covering about 320 acres.
In 1680, about 2,500 Zuni people lived on Dowa Yalanne. They lived in buildings that were one or two stories tall, with over 500 rooms. On November 11, 1692, a Spanish leader named Diego de Vargas visited the mesa. He baptized over 290 people there.
After peace was made with the Spanish, the Zuni people moved back to their current village location. They only returned to the mesa top briefly in 1703. Dowa Yalanne was a very important place for the Zuni. It was the first time the entire Zuni population gathered into one single settlement. It was a strong place to defend against attacks.
The Culture of Dowa Yalanne
Dowa Yalanne is a very special and sacred place for the Zuni people. It is used for religious ceremonies and has many shrines. This is why it is closed to visitors from outside the Zuni community.
Sacred Meanings
The Zuni people believe Dowa Yalanne is connected to the "House of the Gods." They also believe it helps make rain, lightning, and thunder. Because of this, it is sometimes called "Thunder Mountain." At the winter solstice, the rising sun shines on a special spot on the mesa.
Other Names and Stories
Over time, Dowa Yalanne has had other names. These include To'wa Yäl'länne, Tay-a-ol-o-ne, Taaiyalone Mountain, and Tâaiyá'hltona Hlúelawa. The Spanish also called it "Peñol de Caquima." This name came from an old village called Kyaki:ma, which was at the bottom of the mesa. There is a traditional Zuni story called "The Great Dancing Tarantula" that takes place at the foot of Dowa Yalanne.
Modern Connections
The Dowa Yalanne Elementary school is located close to the mesa. There is also a program for Zuni young people called DY-MESA. This name stands for "Developing Youth: Mentoring Empowerment Self-expression Achievement." The program is named after the mesa because it is seen as a source of strength for the Zuni Pueblo.
The Zuni Eagle Sanctuary cares for injured golden and bald eagles. The place where the eagles live was built so they can see Dowa Yalanne from their homes.
The Geology of Dowa Yalanne
The red rock that makes up most of the mesa is called Entrada Sandstone. It has white bands running through it. The very top layer of rock is called Dakota Sandstone.
The white Zuni Sandstone from the mesa is used to make flat baking stones. These stones are used to prepare "hewe," a very thin cornbread that is made for special events. There are also springs around the mesa. These springs have been a traditional source of water for the Zuni people for a long time.
