Cochiti, New Mexico

Cochiti (; Eastern Keresan: Kotyit [kʰocʰi̥tʰ]; Western Keresan K’úutìim’é [kʼúːtʰìːm̰é], Navajo: Tǫ́ʼgaaʼ /tʰṍʔkɑ̀ːʔ/) is a census-designated place (CDP) in Sandoval County, New Mexico, United States. The Pueblo of Cochiti is a federally recognized tribe of Pueblo people.

A historic pueblo of the Cochiti people, a Keres people, it is part of the Albuquerque metropolitan area. As of the 2020 census, Cochiti had a population of 479. Located southwest of Santa Fe, the community is listed as a historic district on the National Register of Historic Places.

Language

The Cochiti speak Eastern Keres, a dialect of the Keresan language, which is a language isolate. In the early 21st century, the Keres Children's Learning Center, an independent Keres immersion school, was founded to aid with preservation of their language and culture. It has added grades since its founding.

The Western Keresan name for the people of Cochiti Pueblo is K’úutìim’é, translating to "People from the Mountains".

Demographics

At the 2010 census, there were 528 people, 157 households and 127 families residing in the CDP. The population density was . There were 178 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the CDP was 95.1% Native American, 1.5% White, 1.3% from other races, and 2.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.6% of the population.

There were 157 households, of which 28% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.8% were married couples living together, 29.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.1% were non-families. 18.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.36 and the average family size was 3.76.

31.8% of the population were under the age of 19, 6.4% from 20 to 24, 23.8% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 17.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34.5 years.

In the 2000 census, the median household income was $31,875 and the median family income was $37,500. Males had a median income of $19,231 compared with $21,641 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $9,153. About 21.4% of families and 20.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.3% of those under age 18 and 11.8% of those age 65 or over.

History

The Cochiti people are thought to be descended from the Ancestral Puebloans (formerly known as the Anasazi). The ancestors of the Cochiti people, living in cliff dwellings at Rito de los Frijoles in present-day Bandelier National Monument, divided into two groups. One was located in the pueblo of Katishtya (later called San Felipe pueblo) in the south and the other was located in Potrero Viejo, one of the finger mesas of the Pajarito Plateau in northern central New Mexico.

|source 2 = National Weather Service

Art

thumb|Cochiti Pot with black motif on buff clay body

Potters of Cochiti and Kewa Pueblo (formerly Santo Domingo Pueblo) have made traditional pots for centuries, developing styles for different purposes and expressing deep beliefs in their designs. Since the early decades of the 20th century, these pots have been appreciated by a wider audience outside the pueblos. Continuing to use traditional techniques, in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, potters have also expanded their designs and repertoire in pottery, which has an international market.

Education

It is in the Bernalillo Public Schools district, which operates Cochiti Elementary & Middle Schools in nearby Peña Blanca, and Bernalillo High School.

Notable people from Cochiti Pueblo

Helen Cordero, storyteller and pottery
The Herrera-Ortiz family of Cochiti Pueblo is known for their traditional pottery, as well as other forms of art.
Laurencita Herrera (1912–1984), storyteller pottery and vessels
Virgil Ortiz (born 1969), potter and designer
Inez Ortiz (1960–2008), traditional Cochiti potter
Lisa Holt (born 1980), Cochiti potter with modern influence
The Montoya-Peña family of both Cochiti Pueblo and San Ildefonso Pueblo, known for their painting
Martina Vigil Montoya (1856–1916)
Tonita Peña (1893–1949), painter
Joe Herrera (1923–2001), painter
Diego Romero (born 1964), pottery and printmaking
Mateo Romero (born 1966), painter

In popular culture

In 1969, a documentary film about a Native American boy's life on the Cochiti pueblo was made for Sesame Streets second season (1970–1971), aired on December 9, 1970. Subjects it covered included a game of shinny, making tortillas, and making necklaces out of corn for summertime sale to tourists.

Gallery

File:Cochiti Pueblo Ceremonial shield EthnM.jpg|Cochiti Pueblo Ceremonial shield, made before 1883

File:Aiyowitsa - Cochiti.jpg|Carolina Quintana (Aiyowitsa) of Cochiti Pueblo, photographed by Edward Curtis

File:Animorphic effigy jar produced by the people of the Cochiti Pueblo (2).jpg|Animorphic effigy jar produced by the people of the Cochiti Pueblo at The Field Museum in Chicago, IL

File:Effigy of a deer produced by the people of the Cochiti Pueblo.jpg|Effigy of a deer produced by the people of the Cochiti Pueblo at The Field Museum in Chicago, IL

File:Animorphic effigy jar produced by the people of the Cochiti Pueblo.jpg|Animorphic effigy jar produced by the people of the Cochiti Pueblo at The Field Museum in Chicago, IL

File:Cochiti pueblo, figurina ceramica, 1885 ca.jpg|Humanoid ceramic figurine produced by the people of the Cochiti pueblo.

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References

External links

Official Pueblo de Cochiti website