PEOPLE OF THE SUN

The tribal community known as “Tigua”, originally from a pueblo community in present-day New Mexico, fled south from Apache aggression in the 1670s only to suffer an assault by the Spanish in the 1680 Pueblo Revolt. After a four hundred mile walk, the Tiguas settled near present-day El Paso, establishing the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo, building homes and a canal system that would provide water for agriculture. Today, with over 1,600 citizens and 1,500 descendants, the Tiguas maintain their traditional political and ceremonial practices within their Pueblo community.

Just minutes from downtown El Paso, the Tigua Indian Cultural Center provides visitors with insight into the Tigua history and way of life. The Center represents five centuries of Pueblo culture, featuring artifacts and guided tours courtesy of Tigua youth, as well as performances of traditional songs and social dances including versions of the Buffalo Dance, the Eagle Dance, and the Pueblo Two-Step. When weather permits, visitors may experience the Tigua bread-baking process and taste the results as loaves are pulled fresh from the Pueblo hornos, the Tigua adobe outdoor oven.