Picuris Pueblo, New Mexico facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Picuris Pueblo, New Mexico
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San Lorenzo de Picurís
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Location of Picuris Pueblo, New Mexico
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 Picuris Pueblo, New Mexico
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | New Mexico |
| County | Taos |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.46 sq mi (1.19 km2) |
| • Land | 0.46 sq mi (1.18 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.01 km2) |
| Elevation | 7,277 ft (2,218 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 83 |
| • Density | 181.62/sq mi (70.17/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (Mountain (MST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-6 (MDT) |
| Area code(s) | 505 |
| FIPS code | 35-56810 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2409063 |
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Picuris Pueblo
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Location of Picuris Pueblo and neighboring pueblos in New Mexico
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| Nearest city | Taos, New Mexico |
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| Area | 20.4 acres (8.3 ha) |
| Built | 1776 |
| Architectural style | Pueblo |
| NRHP reference No. | 74001211 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | August 13, 1974 |
Picuris Pueblo is a special place in Taos County, New Mexico, United States. It is a historic pueblo, which is like an ancient village. The people who live here are part of a federally recognized tribe of Pueblo people.
The Picuris Pueblo is one of the Eight Northern Pueblos. The people call their home P'įwweltha. This name means "mountain warrior place" or "mountain pass place." They speak a language called Picuris, which is a type of Tiwa language.
Contents
Where is Picuris Pueblo?
Picuris Pueblo is in northern New Mexico. It sits on the western side of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The pueblo is about 18 miles south of Taos Pueblo. The land here is high up, over 7,000 feet above sea level.
The area of the pueblo is small, about 0.4 square miles. All of this land is dry land, with no large bodies of water.
Who Lives in Picuris Pueblo?
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2020 | 83 | — | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2020, about 83 people lived in Picuris Pueblo. It is one of the smaller Tiwa pueblos. In 2000, there were 86 people living there. By 2010, the population was 68.
Most people living in the pueblo are Native American. Some residents are White or from other races. About a quarter of the people are Hispanic or Latino.
History of Picuris Pueblo
The Picuris people lived in a much larger village before. This old village was called Pot Creek. It was home to about 3,000 people near Taos. Around the year 1250 CE, they moved to their current location. This new home was along the Rio Pueblo de Taos.
In the 1400s, Picuris was one of the biggest Tiwa pueblos. It was influenced by nearby Apache and other Plains Indian groups. Taos Pueblo was also influenced in a similar way.
Fighting for Freedom
In the late 1600s, the Pueblo people of New Mexico fought against the Spanish. This was during the Pueblo Revolt. They wanted to be free and keep their land. After this revolt, the Picuris people left their pueblo for a while. They returned in 1706. Then, they joined with the Spanish to fight against attacks from Comanche and Apache tribes. After this, the Picuris pueblo entered a peaceful time.
Spanish Influence and Modern Life
A Spanish explorer named Don Juan de Oñate called the pueblo "Pikuria." This name means "those who paint." The Spanish greatly influenced the pueblo. People started to adopt Christian religious practices. They also began to let go of some traditional rituals.
The San Lorenzo de Picurís church was built from adobe by 1776. It has been restored in recent years. Over centuries, the Picuris people were influenced by both the Spanish and Americans. They adopted modern things like telephones, electricity, paved roads, and television.
However, they also brought back their traditional customs. These customs are now performed throughout the year. The Picuris people became self-governing again in the mid-1920s. As of 2014, the pueblo had a growing herd of buffalo. They are part of the InterTribal Buffalo Council.
Education
Children in the Picuris Pueblo community go to schools in the Peñasco Independent School District.
Things to See and Do
Picuris Pueblo is a great place to visit!
- The San Lorenzo de Picurís church is located within the pueblo.
- The Picuris Pueblo Museum shows and sells art from local artists. You can find beautiful weaving, pottery, and beadwork.
- Picuris is especially famous for its micaceous pottery. This pottery has a special sparkly look.
- You can see excavated dwellings within the pueblo. These are old homes that have been dug up.
- Visitors can take self-guided tours. You can also get permits to take photos.
- If you like fishing, you can fish for trout at Pu-La Lake. Just contact the Picurís Pueblo Fish & Game and Parks & Wildlife first.
- There are also places for picnics and camping.
Special Events
The main celebration is San Lorenzo's Day on August 10. During this day, people of all ages take part in races. There is also a Sunset Dance on August 9.
- Corn Dances and Buffalo Dances happen in June and August. These might be private ceremonies.
- Other dances are held on New Year's Day. More dances happen in late January and early February. These are open to the public.
- An Arts & Crafts fair takes place on the first weekend in July. You can see weaving, sculptures, beadwork, and jewelry.
Notable People from Picuris Pueblo
- Anthony Durand (1956–2009), a famous micaceous potter.
- Cora Durand (1902–1998), also a micaceous potter.
- Maria Ramita Martinez (1884–1969), another micaceous potter.
- Joseph Rael (born 1935), a writer.
- Rosalie Simbola Aguilar (around 1898–1947), a potter.
Images for kids
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Gerald Nailor, Jr., Governor of Picuris
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David Gaussoin, Picuris jeweler
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Picuris ballplayer
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Performance art by Wayne Gaussoin (Picuris Pueblo), Museum of Contemporary Native Art, Santa Fe, NM, 2009
See also
In Spanish: Pueblo de Picurís para niños
