Definition:
The Statue of Po'pay is a bronze sculpture representing Po'pay, a 17th-century Pueblo religious leader best known for organizing the successful Pueblo Revolt of 1680 against Spanish colonial rule in present-day New Mexico.
Overview:
The statue was created by sculptor Cliff Fragua, a member of the Jemez Pueblo, and was installed in the United States Capitol's National Statuary Hall in 2005. It was commissioned by the state of New Mexico as part of the National Statuary Hall Collection, in which each U.S. state contributes two statues of notable citizens. The Statue of Po'pay replaced a statue of 19th-century statesman and governor Edmund C. Olson, marking a shift toward honoring Indigenous historical figures.
Etymology/Origin:
The name "Po'pay" (also spelled Popé or Po-pay) originates from the Tewa language spoken by the Pueblo peoples. The meaning of the name is not definitively known, though it is associated with traditional leadership and spiritual authority. "Po'pay" is believed to translate roughly as "Ripe Apple" or "Ripened," but accurate linguistic confirmation is limited.
Characteristics:
Standing approximately 7.5 feet (2.3 meters) tall, the statue depicts Po'pay in traditional Pueblo attire, holding a knotted cord used to coordinate the timing of the 1680 Pueblo Revolt across multiple communities. The knotted cord symbolizes communication and unity among the Pueblo people. The base of the statue includes inscriptions referencing the Pueblo Revolt and includes symbols from Pueblo culture, such as kiva steps and corn motifs. The sculpture is cast in bronze and mounted on a New Mexico red sandstone base, emphasizing regional materials and cultural significance.
Related Topics:
- Pueblo Revolt of 1680
- National Statuary Hall Collection
- Indigenous representation in U.S. monuments
- Cliff Fragua (sculptor)
- Tewa people and language
- Spanish colonization of the Americas
- New Mexico history
The statue is notable as the first representation of a Native American created by a Native American artist in the National Statuary Hall Collection.