PUEBLOS TO PARADISE: Discovering Indigenous Heritage in Albuquerque and Puerto Rico
Reflections of the traditions, culture, and art of Native Americans are scattered throughout North America, in the pueblos, reservations, galleries, and museums that preserve these important legacies. For travelers interested in connecting with this history, Albuquerque, New Mexico, and San Juan, Puerto Rico, are two cities that offer a fascinating array of Native American art and culture.
For the first time ever, Albuquerque is connected to Washington, D. C., with new nonstop flights on United Airlines. The new daily nonstop flight between Washington Dulles and Albuquerque International Sunport departs Washington, D. C., every morning, bringing the wonders of the desert southwest closer than ever.
ALBUQUERQUE
From the Pueblo-style buildings made of cinnamon-colored adobe bricks to the indigenous names that grace streets and monuments, evidence of Albuquerque’ s Native American culture is truly everywhere. The best place to begin your journey is at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. The center features a museum, art galleries, a gift shop, a library, a restaurant, an event space, and an indigenousowned Starbucks, which is the first non-corporate-owned Starbucks in the country. These offerings provide a comprehensive overview of the history and culture of New Mexico’ s 19 Pueblos.
The permanent exhibit,“ We Are This Place: The Pueblo Story,” documents the history and contributions of the Pueblo People of New Mexico through pottery, paintings, artifacts, and the voices of the Pueblo people. The exhibits, art, and installations illustrate how the Pueblo Indians settled in the Southwest and have thrived in the region for centuries under Spanish, Mexican, and American governance. They created adobe bricks and built communities, or pueblos, that still stand today. Don’ t miss out on sampling a Native American art form that’ s often overlooked: the food. The center’ s restaurant serves dishes made from the“ three sisters” of corn, beans, and squash, which have sustained Pueblo communities for generations.
Explore more art at Palms Trading Company, which offers an extensive selection of artist-created Indian jewelry and artwork; Penfield Gallery of Indian Arts, featuring Zuni artifacts and Navajo sand paintings; and Wright Indian Art, located inside the Sandia Pueblo. Also, visit Bien Mur Indian Market Center to shop at the largest handmade retail arts and craft center in the Southwest.
SAN JUAN
San Juan, Puerto Rico, has been local Washingtonians’ secret getaway for years. Experiencing the Caribbean jewel of San Juan and Puerto Rico is a breeze thanks to Frontier Airlines’ new nonstop flight between Washington Dulles and Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan. United Airlines also operates a convenient daily departure from Washington Dulles while Frontier Airlines’ new flights will operate three times a week.
Puerto Rico’ s colonial history complicates the presence of Native American culture. The island’ s original inhabitants were the Taínos, an Indigenous group who lived in Puerto Rico for hundreds of years before the arrival of Spanish colonizers. They referred to the island as Borikén, which translates to“ Land of the Valiant and Noble Lord.” The Spanish targeted the Taínos with slavery, massacres, and disease, leading to their near extinction in Puerto Rico by the 16th century. Nevertheless, Taíno culture retains a strong presence on the island through language, traditions, art, and food. To this day, Puerto Ricans identify themselves as Boricuas, and the fusion of Taíno, African, and Spanish influences continues to shape Puerto Rican culture.
Many Taíno petroglyphs, artifacts, and rituals are preserved in towns like Ponce and Utuado. However, if you wish to see a stunning variety of Taíno-influenced art, visit Old San Juan. In most shops nestled within the vibrant buildings, you’ ll discover hand-woven hammocks, painted maracas, and Cemies— carved figures of Taíno deities— all closely connected to Taíno culture. Check out Puerto Rican Arts & Crafts, Mundo Taíno, and Mi Pequeño San Juan on Calle Fortaleza for ceramics, drawings, jewelry, and textiles showcasing Taíno motifs. Don’ t forget to explore art galleries like Galería Botello and Galería Éxodo to view paintings, lithographs, and sculptures that celebrate Taíno pride.
GETTING THERE
United Airlines has nonstop service daily and Frontier Airlines has nonstop service three times weekly from Washington Dulles International Airport( IAD) to Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport( SJU).
GETTING THERE
United Airlines has nonstop service from Washington Dulles International Airport( IAD) to Albuquerque International Sunport( ABQ) daily.
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