Frommer's Santa Fe, Taos and Albuquerque
Chapter One
The Best of
Northern New Mexico
New Mexico's Pueblo tribes have one character who stands out among many as a
symbol of the spirit of this state: the fun-maker, called by a variety of names, most
notably Koshare. Within the Native American dances, this black-and-white-striped
character has many powers. He can cure some diseases, make rain fall, and increase
fertility. Above all, the irreverent joker exposes our deepest foibles.
As you travel throughout northern New Mexico, you may see evidence of the
Koshare-like powers in the land's magical beauty and in the tender relationships
between cultures. This place has witnessed immense geologic upheavals, from volcanic
explosions to cataclysmic ground shifts. It has seen tragedy in the clash among Spanish,
Native American, and Anglo cultures. And yet, with its Koshare nature, it has
transformed those experiences into immeasurable richness. Today, it is a land of stunning
expanses, immense cultural diversity, and creativity-a place where people very
m ... read full excerpt from Frommer's Santa Fe, Taos & Albuquerque (Frommer's Complete #626) ebook
