Zuni Pueblo Pottery
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English Pronunciation: “Zoo-nee”
Traditional Name: SHE-WE-NA
A Zuni Legend tells the story of the parrot and the crow, each of whom presents an egg to the Zuni women to decide which one they will keep.
The women choose the egg of the crow because of its wonderful turquoise color. The Zuni love of color is reflected everywhere in their daily lives, as well as in their ceremonies.
While comparatively little pottery is made by Zuni craftsmen, they have a tradition of beautiful work in clay and still use their work in ceremonies.
The murals of Alex Seowtewa in the Mission Church of Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe in the plaza of the pueblo are remarkable examples of Indian painting at their best. They depict the history and the culture of the Zuni people and demonstrate once more the Zuni genius in the use of color. The church itself is a good example of traditional Pueblo architecture.
One of the most famous of the Kachina dances, Shalako, is held every December in the Zuni Pueblo, to celebrate the end of the old and the beginning of the New Year, and to bless all of the houses of the Pueblo erected during the year.
