Friday, March 29, 2024

Village people

Natives loom large at New Mexico State Fair

By Jason Morgan Edwards
Special to the Times

Special to the Times | J. Morgan Edwards Photography Pearl Sunrise (Diné) will be demonstrating her rug weaving skills in the Indian Village at the New Mexico State Fair.

Special to the Times | J. Morgan Edwards Photography
Pearl Sunrise (Diné) will be demonstrating her rug weaving skills in the Indian Village at the New Mexico State Fair.

ALBUQUERQUE

Along with turkey legs, caramel corn, and carnival rides, there will be eleven full days of Native American entertainment and crafts offered at the New Mexico State Fair starting today (Thursday).

Boye Ladd, Sr. (Ho-Chunk/Zuni) is in his third year as director of the fair’s Indian Village. He said, “What I’m trying to do is showcase Native culture. Not only in this area, but showcase South America, Central America, and Canada.”

Although this year’s Native Village is pared down a bit and features mostly local acts, Los Voladores from Veracruz, Mexico, are a featured attraction. Always popular, they’ve expanded their pole flyer routine by adding the Dance of the Guaguas, an ancient fertility ritual of the Totonac people.

“Each year, I like to add something a little unique,” Ladd continued. “I kind of changed some things around with the bands, giving more visibility to our local talent. I like to provide a platform for new talent.” The music tends toward “blues, reggae — pretty much what Indian people like to hear,” noted Ladd.

Ladd works to integrate a variety of entertainment styles into the daily time slots, and keep a flow of continuous activity. “I do a little of everything,” he said. “But, it’s all Native-influenced. At least one member of every group is Native.”

During the few, short lulls, usually as bands exit or enter the stage, the experienced powwow MC educates the crowd with some background facts about what they have just seen, or provides a preview as to what’s coming up next.

“It’s more than music and dance. It’s about culture and pride. I’ve got the best of the best here, from the Southwest,” he said.


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