Acoma Today: Ancient Meets Modern
Today, many Acoma people still live in Sky City and nearby villages. While most don’t live in the ancient pueblo full time, they return for special cultural occasions to celebrate Native American life at their ancestral homes. Acoma potters still carry on the centuries-old art of making the thin-walled Pueblo Indian pottery. Acoma Pueblo pottery is widely acclaimed for its beauty and quality craftsmanship. Tourism plays a large role in Acoma’s economic growth and well- being.
The Pueblo of Acoma established Acoma Business Enterprises 25 years ago to help sustain the economic development of our people. Companies we own include:
The Story of Acoma
Discover the centuries-old history of New Mexico’s southwest Indians. Acoma Pueblo offers a window in time where Native people carry on the customary traditions of their ancestors through Native American pottery making and tribal celebrations. Educational tours and cultural exhibits are designed to generate a broader and deeper understanding of the Acoma People.
Experience the history of New Mexico’s southwest Indians. Look through a window in time and see the centuries old traditions still alive today. From Native American pottery making to tribal celebrations, the rituals of our ancestors are the beating heart of our community. We proudly invite you to educational tours and cultural exhibits designed to offer you a broader, deeper understanding of the Acoma People.
Acoma Pueblo is nestled atop a sheer-walled, 367-foot sandstone bluff in a valley studded with sacred, towering monoliths. Its establishment first recorded in 1150 A.D., Acoma Pueblo is designated as the oldest continuously inhabited community in North America. The mesa-top settlement is known worldwide for its unique art and rich culture.
A federally recognized Native American Tribe, Acoma Pueblo has a land base covering 431,664 acres and is home to over 5000 tribal members. Our pueblo is home to more than 250 dwellings who have held to tradition and abstained from having electricity, sewer, or water. The historic San Esteban del Rey Mission has stood amongst our dwellings since 1629. Both the Mission and the Pueblo are Registered National Historical Landmarks and are on the National Register of Historic Places.
In 2007, Acoma Pueblo was named the 28th Historic Site by the National Trust for Historic Preservation (NTHP). Today it remains the only Native American site to be designated. Acoma works with the NTHP to expand its mission for preservation and related activities beyond the brick and mortar and into community development.
Acoma History Part One
Acoma History Part Two