Acoma

Acoma, commonly called Acoma Pueblo or Sky City, is a Native American pueblo in western New Mexico and home to the Acoma people. The principal settlement sits atop a high mesa overlooking the desert and is famous for its multi‑story, whitewashed adobe buildings.

The Acoma have inhabited the area for at least a millennium, with settlement dating to the 12th century or earlier. They developed a distinct culture and language and established trade and diplomatic relations with neighboring pueblos and, later, with Spanish explorers. In 1599, Spanish forces attacked the pueblo in the Acoma Massacre, a defining event in Acoma history. Following centuries of missionization and colonial rule, the Acoma retained elements of autonomous governance and today govern themselves as a federally recognized Native American nation within the United States.

Culture and craft: The Acoma language is a member of the Tanoan language family. The pueblo is renowned for pottery, particularly white-on-white and polychrome pieces with geometric motifs, made from local clay. Pottery, weaving, and other crafts remain central to the economy and cultural preservation, with the Sky City area hosting the Sky City Cultural Center and Museum.

Governance and land: The Acoma Pueblo operates under its own tribal government, with a governor, lieutenant governor, and council, and it maintains rights to land and water within federal and state frameworks. The community remains a symbol of enduring Pueblo culture and history, attracting visitors to its mesa-top site.