New Mexico, Home of many Cultures
New Mexico, home to the ancestral pueblans and their descendents, other Native Americans, the Spanish who entered from Mexico and other western Europeans reveals the cultural coats of many colors. When one adds the black culture, oriental transplants and other near eastern residents the mix becomes quite interesting. The Native American heritage provides New Mexicans and visitors with traditional ceremonies and family values which have accumulated over thousands of years of experience. Their homes and loyalties to their families and tribes have a greater value then their earthly wealth. It shows in their dance, dress, foods and names which we enjoy so well and often. There is in them a spiritualism that extends past their time on this earth. It places the Native American in their habitat, in perspective to a cosmic being, yet with a human passage of some eighty years in a universe where millions of years is young. One could say that they do not want to repeat their mistakes as a society. It is an old culture which values history and truth. The Spanish came across the ocean to Mexico and were the first European settlers. Their heritage left us with the romance that is the Santa Fe and New Mexican style. Their Catholic churches, foods, homes, tile, names, dress and music are the color that provides artistic richness to our state. The elegance of old haciendas, elegant patrons and beautiful women combined with Spanish food and song are mesmerizing. The gentle Spanish/Mexican descendent people who have immigrated since the early Spanish settlers provide our working force with stability and substance. The European migration from the east came across the plains with hardy stock that recognized the beauty and richness of the land. They provided another dimension. That of an order, education and overall leadership of an area, good or bad. Their churches as well as towns and cities provided an infrastructure that could provide for the other cultures maintenance of identity, which it has. In addition it could provide for the European arts of writing, music, architecture and art. Western European law was incorporated into a code which tries to defend all cultures heritages and rights. Add to this mix other cultures inputs in arts and customs and one can arrive at New Mexico's reputation as a wonderful and varied place to live. The mingling yet separateness of all of this culture is wonderful. Of course the desert and the mountains as well as the sunny dry weather, provides one with an upbeat way of life. It is a wonderful land high in the sky, with ancient history to enjoy, tantalizing aromas, visual delights at each step and the music, oh the music. The sounds fill the ears with nostalgia and new experiences. New Mexico is the land of enchantment. The book has been published by the University Press of New Mexico.
Bataan Memorial, View from Capulin Mountain, El Bruno's in Cuba, Bosque del Apache
Ortiz Mountains, Pedernals at Abiquiu, Chimayo sanctuary, Fenton Lake SP
White Sands, view from Capulin, Quarterhorse in Jemez Mountains, San Francisco in Taos
Chamisa - Santa Fe, Golden Catholic church, Jemez Mountain cauldera and San Antonio
Sangre de Christo Mtns, Las Trampas irrigation, Bosque del Apache gadwall and pond, Madrid
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Last updated: December 03, 2004 .