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The people known as Zunis call themselves A'shiwi, which translates to "the flesh people." The A'shiwi speak the language isolate called Zuni, and have maintained…

In the Zuni origin myth A’wonawilona is the living sky, the most supreme force whose genderless, fluid essence gave life to the earth. As the myth goes, in the…

A small village in Northern New Mexico, located about 50 miles north of Santa Fe. The area surrounding the village is known for its striking beauty and unique and…

A rough scrape caused by rubbing or grinding an object against the skin, resulting in an inflamed sore spot. The term abrasive refers to a substance, like sand, that…

The release from guilt and associated punishment. Sometimes, but not always, associated with forgiveness.

An abbreviated summary of the main points of a long article or report, generally found at the beginning of the work. Increasingly, abstracts are also included in online…

A term meant to indicate inclusion within the history,traditions, and protocols of Academia, otherwise known as the university system of intellectual and cultural…

The Achilles is a long, thick band of tissue connecting the heel of the foot with the calf muscles. Located at the back of the ankle, right above the heel, this tendon…

A general antibiotic medication that is commonly used to treat a variety of bacterial infections.

Acoma Pueblo is a community built on top of a mesa in the Rio Grande Valley. At the end of the 16th century it was an area of tension between the Pueblo people and the…

Acoma has been translated into English as both the "people of the white rock" as well as "a place always prepared." The Acoma are descended from Anasazi and earlier…

Acoma is both the name of a pueblo group who reside in western New Mexico and the name of the actual pueblo, also known as Sky City. Acoma Pueblo is situated on top of…

A school located in the Grants-Cibola County School district and caters to students from middle school (7th grade) to high school (12th grade). As this school is on the…

In many modern public buildings such as schools, libraries, and hospitals, the ceiling is constructed of acoustical tiles, which are modular panels suspended beneath…

A word that suggests a sharp, intense, or narrow focus.

In both biological and cultural terms, adaptation is a process of change during which an organism, an individual, or even a society alters over time. These changes are…

Adobe is made of clay soil mixed with water and straw that is then formed into walls, oblong shapes, hornos (ovens), or bricks. The finished object is left to dry and…

A hormone, also known as epinephrine, that is secreted by the adrenal glands, especially when a person is under stress, because it increases the body's ability to…

A variety of chalcedony, a type of quartz. Agate is a very hard stone valued for its bands of color. One kind of agate for which the Southwest is particularly well-…

Assault is a criminal charge that stems from a person knowingly threatening harm against another person. Assault can become aggravated assault when a weapon is involved…

A wash within a valley located in Apache County, Arizona. This wash flows northwest into the larger Lukachukai Wash and was named “Salt Water Wash” in Spanish by 20th-…

A vernacular expression referring to one's assistance in facilitating the commission of a crime, even if only to cover it up.

A large naval vessel with a long angled deck that serves as a runway for launching or landing airplanes. Tony Hillerman uses the aircraft carrier as a size comparison…

Likely a reference to an Airstream Trailer, a famous aluminum luxury vehicle produced by Airstream INC. from the 1930s to the present. Airstream was the brainchild of…

A small town in south-central New Mexico, Alamogordo is situated between the Sacramento Mountains to the east and the White Sands National Monument to the west. There…