Powwow Country: Taos Pueblo Powwow, Taos Pueblo, New Mexico, July 8-10, 2011

Taos Pueblo Powwow, Taos Pueblo, New Mexico, July 8-10, 2011

The Taos Pueblo Powwow is one of the few outdoor powwows left. It is held north of Taos Pueblo in a natural arbour of buffalo grasslands. “It’s centrally located between the Plains and Southwest tribes,” said Debbie Lujan, co-coordinator of the powwow. This event marks the 26th year. The powwow was cancelled in 2003 because of a large fire just prior to the powwow’s dates.

The powwow attracts 8,000-10,000 people each day and has 200-400 dancers and 20 drumming groups. “It’s equal parts drums and dancers, Navajo and Plains Indians,” said Lujan. “It’s a family-oriented powwow and caters to dancers and singers.” There is gourd dancing and intertribal dancing, with a grand entry each day. A lot of fundraising goes into making the event possible and raising the $40,000 total purse. “We don’t have casino money,” said Lujan. The spectacle is rounded out by 50 arts and crafts booths as well as food booths. There is free camping available on site, for tents and un-serviced recreational vehicle sites. There is also a host hotel in Taos.

For more information, check out http://taospueblopowwow.com