NATIVE BEAT
Drums at the heart of Indian Pueblo Cultural Center’s traditional dances
The heart of Native dance is the drum, which guests can experience on weekends at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. “What’s unique about our dances, it’s the drum and the power and the sound of the drum,” said Monique Fragua, IPCC museum director. “It is just so captivating. One of the things we share in our museum, we as a pueblo people believe the drum is the heartbeat, and it’s the heartbeat of our community, and it brings people together, and we’re hoping our guests’ experience is that of the community and to be in the moment.”
The IPCC hosts traditional Native American dance groups every weekend throughout each year. July dance groups are Kallestewa of Zuni Pueblo today
through Sunday, July 9, Red Turtle Dance Group of Pojoaque Pueblo on July 14-16, Zuni Olla Maidens of Zuni Pueblo on July 21-23 and Big Thunder Dance Group (Hopi, Cochiti Pueblo) on July 28-30.
“We’re proud to host dance groups every weekend throughout the whole year,” said Fragua, who is from Jemez Pueblo. “It’s a unique opportunity for people to come in and experience pueblo culture. A lot of the dance groups welcome guests to participate. You can see audience members, and they will be tapping their foot and the little kids getting up and not sitting still.”
The IPCC works with dance groups from 11 of 19 pueblos in New Mexico. It also brings in Apache, Navajo and Plainsstyle dancers.
One of the groups added last year was the youth hoop dancers from the Pueblo of Pojoaque.
The dances are held outdoors but are taken inside during inclement weather for guests’ comfort. Each group gives insight on the dances and music, such as why they continue the tradition.