Ohkay Owingeh
By Ron Guillen
10 May 2007
Ohkay Owingeh (Place Of The Strong People) was the very first capital of New Mexico. When the Spanish Conquistador Onate de Leon led an expedition along the Rio Grande River in July 1598, he established a base near the junction of the two great river valleys of northern New Mexico (the Rio Grande and the Chama). This village, known as "San Gabriel del Yungeh", was the second European community in North America, established a full 25 years before the arrival in America of the first band of pilgrims from England.
The Corn Dance, is an intricate dance designed to ensure the timely fall of rain. The colorful dance is performed every year on the
Feast of St John, June 24th. This is one of the few times that cameras are allowed. There is a camera charge, but the fee is nominal and the money is well spent as the proceeds will be ploughed back into pueblo development
