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There’s a Pueblo proverb that says a man’s wealth is measured by how many songs he knows. After traveling among the Pueblo people recently, the Kossa Indian boys are now “richer” than they were before they left. From December 23 to December 31, the boys traveled to different Pueblo villages, learning new dances and immersing themselves into culture unlike their own.
“The Pueblo have been able to maintain over 96 percent of their culture over the years. They’re the most friendly, gracious, warm people you’ll ever meet in your life,” said David Kandik, Program Director for the Kossa Indian Dancers.
“We took only boys this time. We left on the morning of December 23. On the way, we stopped in Amarillo to see the Kwahadi dances. On December 24, we went to New Mexico into the Pueblo villages. That evening, we went to Nambe and watched a game animal dance. From there, we went to San Phillipe to midnight mass.
“This is a holy, religious time for the Pueblo. A lot of people here forget the true meaning of Christmas but they don’t forget. After mass, 200 dancers performed from midnight until dawn for the Christ child. On Christmas day, we went to Santo Domingo to watch dances in the snow in the plaza. On the 26th, we watched more dances.”
Kandik could not discuss the specifics of the dances but the Kossa dancers will be performing them at their upcoming winter program.
And while the dances were central to their visit, it wasn’t all business.
“On the 27th, we traveled to Taos. The kids went snow skiing and snowboarding at a ski resort. We ate at George’s.”
“The boys learned about another culture. They learned new dances, new regalia and new songs.”
The Kossa Indian dancers will be performing in February on the 11 at 7p.m., the 12 at 7 p.m., the 13 at 2 p.m., the 18 at 7 p.m, the 19 at 7 p.m. and the 20 at 2 p.m. at the Kossa Plaza at 121 E. Napoleon Street. The name of the program is “An Ancient Winter.”
“We will be trying to reproduce some of the dances we saw in New Mexico as well as performing new dances. The Sahawe dancers from Uvalde, Texas, will be there as well as the Aabikta dancers from Slidell, Louisiana,” stated Kandik.
Tickets are $6 for adults and $4 for children and you can get a dollar off each ticket at the door. For more information, call 656-5049.
There’s a Pueblo proverb that says a man’s wealth is measured by how many songs he knows. After traveling among the Pueblo people recently, the Kossa Indian boys are now “richer” than they were before they left. From December 23 to December 31, the boys traveled to different Pueblo villages, learning new dances and immersing themselves into culture unlike their own.
“The Pueblo have been able to maintain over 96 percent of their culture over the years. They’re the most friendly, gracious, warm people you’ll ever meet in your life,” said David Kandik, Program Director for the Kossa Indian Dancers.
“We took only boys this time. We left on the morning of December 23. On the way, we stopped in Amarillo to see the Kwahadi dances. On December 24, we went to New Mexico into the Pueblo villages. That evening, we went to Nambe and watched a game animal dance. From there, we went to San Phillipe to midnight mass.
“This is a holy, religious time for the Pueblo. A lot of people here forget the true meaning of Christmas but they don’t forget. After mass, 200 dancers performed from midnight until dawn for the Christ child. On Christmas day, we went to Santo Domingo to watch dances in the snow in the plaza. On the 26th, we watched more dances.”
Kandik could not discuss the specifics of the dances but the Kossa dancers will be performing them at their upcoming winter program.
And while the dances were central to their visit, it wasn’t all business.
“On the 27th, we traveled to Taos. The kids went snow skiing and snowboarding at a ski resort. We ate at George’s.”
“The boys learned about another culture. They learned new dances, new regalia and new songs.”
The Kossa Indian dancers will be performing in February on the 11 at 7p.m., the 12 at 7 p.m., the 13 at 2 p.m., the 18 at 7 p.m, the 19 at 7 p.m. and the 20 at 2 p.m. at the Kossa Plaza at 121 E. Napoleon Street. The name of the program is “An Ancient Winter.”
“We will be trying to reproduce some of the dances we saw in New Mexico as well as performing new dances. The Sahawe dancers from Uvalde, Texas, will be there as well as the Aabikta dancers from Slidell, Louisiana,” stated Kandik.
Tickets are $6 for adults and $4 for children and you can get a dollar off each ticket at the door. For more information, call 656-5049.
