Over the years, we had visited a total of 33 of the 50 U.S. states, some of them several times, but we had never been to New Mexico (NM). We had heard that it is beautiful and unique, with a long and rich history and that it has, for many years, attracted creative types of people.
We knew we wanted to visit it and had purchased a guidebook a good fifteen years before our first short trip there in 2018 to attend a conference in Albuquerque. We returned in 2019 to explore it a bit more. If you ask us today, which is our favourite U.S. state, the unequivocal answer would be NM. If you visit once, you will want to go back. It will come as no surprise that NM has been nicknamed the “Land of Enchantment.”
NM’s appeal comes from its striking desert landscapes, open spaces, unrestricted views of sunsets over mountains, abundance of historical sites, parks and monuments, ancient cave dwellings and ruins, numerous museums and art galleries, public art displays, marketplaces, heritage hotels and good restaurants. Despite its relatively small population, NM is the fifth largest state in the country so it’s impossible to see everything in a few trips.
NM’s first indigenous populations thrived on the land for thousands of years before the arrival of Spanish colonizers who ruled over Mexico and Nuevo México for over two and a half centuries (1598-1821). The decision to establish mission churches to convert the indigenous population led to the Pueblo revolt of 1680.
The missions were abandoned then but re-established near the end of the 17th century and some of those churches survive even today. NM gained its independence from Spain at the time Mexico became a republic in 1821. NM remained a Mexican colony until the end of the US-Mexican war in 1848 when it became a territory of the U.S. A new area of colonialism began until NM became the 47th U.S. state in 1912.
Native American and Hispanic heritages are represented in the symbolism of the state’s flag. It comprises a sun, symbol of the Zia People, with the colors of the flag of Spain (yellow and red). Four is the sacred number of the Zia People and it is repeated in the four points radiating from the circle. Like the Zia symbol, the New Mexico State Capitol is a roundhouse building with four entrances.
The blend of various heritages and cultural traditions (Indigenous, Hispanic, and Anglo) is very much present in modern day life. But what gives NM its special aura is the strength and influence of its Pueblo cultures. The word “Pueblo” refers to both the tribal nation and the land occupied by that community. There are 19 Pueblos in NM, each operating under a tribal government structure.
The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center was established in 1976 on the grounds of the old Albuquerque Indian School with the aim to preserve the Pueblo history, culture, and artistic expression. By telling their unique stories, Pueblos hope to heal from past traumas and educate visitors. A visit of the museum is very instructive indeed. In addition, many Pueblos welcome visitors and are more than happy to share their traditions.
Walking around the downtown core of its compact capital, Santa Fe (population of 98,000), you get the feeling that you are not in North America. Many of houses and buildings, even recent ones, were constructed to meld with the style of the traditional flat-roofed adobe dwellings.
We read on a panel in the Indian Pueblo Cultural Centre that there is no word for “goodbye” in most Pueblo languages. This is explained by the belief that life is cyclical, and we are bound to meet again. This seems fitting to us when we think of NM.
The short video slideshow aims to give you a taste of some of the sites that make us dream of returning to New Mexico.