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Tortugas Pueblo Traditions

Tortugas at 100 - Steps in Time & Grace, by Pamela Porter
Tortugas Pueblo dancers

Las Cruces, NM - On this edition of PUENTES, bridges to the community, host Emily Guerra meets with the current President for “La Corporación de Los Indigenes de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, Tortugas Pueblo” (The Corporation for the Indigenous of Our Lady of Guadalupe), Arianna Fierro, and their Secretary, Jeannette Castillo.

They will talk to us about their three-day annual Fiesta of Our Lady of Guadalupe; and about the new book: “Tortugas at 100: Steps in Time and Grace.” They were some of the members of Los Indigenes who collaborated in compiling the book with New Mexico State University Journalism Professor, Pamela Porter. Pueblo member, Jose Luis Nevarez, also contributed several photos. Fierro says “the book marks all of what we do.” It goes through a typical year with examples and photos of events throughout the year. Castillo found that “without the elders and older members they would not have been able to do this book.” The book is available at Amazon.com.

Our Lady of Guadalupe Fiesta in Tortugas is a FREE event to the public and by tradition is always held on December 10th, 11th and 12th every year. Activities begin on Saturday evening at 6:30 with a candlelight procession from La Capilla to La Casa del Pueblo, at 3630 Casa de Pueblo St. in Tortugas; then on Sunday morning at 5 they process from La Casa del Pueblo to el Sanctuario; and at 7 am the solemn Pilgrimage to Tortugas Mountain (aka “A” Mountain) with Mass at the top of the mountain. This is a time for prayer, so they request that you please follow their guidelines. December 12th is the day of Our Lady of Guadalupe. In her honor there is a Fiesta Mass at 9 am; followed by Danzantes & Matachine dances all day, and a traditional Fiesta meal at La Casa de Comida.  For more information and schedules visit their Facebook page: Tortugas Pueblo – Los Indigenes de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe.