The ancient site of Halona is the site of modern-day Zuni Pueblo, located in McKinley and Valencia counties near the Arizona border. Since their time of conflict with the Spanish, the Zuni have lived at this location peacefully through the Mexican period, from 1821 to 1848, and the subsequent American period.
The Zuni farm and raise livestock for a living. Some among them spend their summers in neighboring farming villages, such as Pescado, Nutria, and Ojo. Some of their farmlands are in Arizona. Water rights have been an issue over the past decades, with non-Indian communities upstream from Zuni lands appropriating available water. In 2003, the Zuni Indian Water Rights Settlement Act provided the tribe with the financial resources to acquire water rights in the Little Colorado Basin. Zuni craftspeople have gained international reputations for their silver jewelry made with turquoise, shell, and other stones, often inlaid.
Zuni are also known for their stone fetishes—usually small animals. Most of these animals have special meanings and supposed powers. Traditional pottery, weaving, and basketry are also still practiced. Zuni men also work as firefighters. The Forest Service frequently flies them to help battle the nation’s worst forest fires.
Zuni silver and turquoise pin (modern)
Tourists can visit the Zuni Pueblo to watch the Sha-lako festival in late November or early December, part of the 48-day winter solstice festival. Part of the ceremonies include giant, birdlike kachina figures dancing in and around new homes to bless them.
World History
