Winter Traditions

Storytelling is an important tradition in American Indian cultures. It is used to pass on cultural knowledge. For centuries, Native Americans have gathered around campfires telling stories about the world around them including tales about animals and mystical beings. Traditionally, the winter season is the only time appropriate to tell these stories.

In New Mexico there are over 22 tribes (19 Pueblos, Mescalero and Jicarilla Apache, and Navajo). Within each tribal community the oral tradition of storytelling varies. The topics are endless focusing on animals like the coyote, bear or on insects like the spider and dragonfly and on different concepts of creation stories. Many stories are fables in nature, where a lesson is taught and accepted modes of behavior are enforced. But to the majority of traditional Native Americans these stories are not just ordinary myths and legends but are a reflection of the rich oral tradition of their unique cultural history.

Other traditional activities include the different dances that are in late December such as:

Arrow (Laguna Pueblo), Deer (Laguna Pueblo, San Juan Pueblo), Turtle (San Juan Pueblo), Buffalo (Nambe Pueblo) and Matachine dances (San Juan Pueblo and Picuris Pueblo. A listing of winter dances at other Pueblos is listed on the NM tourism website at http://www.newmexico.org/native_america/pueblos/index.php