The kiva is one of the most important physical representations of the history, strength and connection with the land that these people and their cultures embody.

The ladder image from the homepage, linked to this information page, was taken from inside the restored kiva located at Ka'ua Pueblo, an historic Tewa Pueblo located along the Rio Grande near present day Bernalillo, New Mexico. This Pueblo became the headquarters for the Spanish Coronado expedition which made entry into what is now New Mexico in 1540.  The Pueblo was abandoned later, but has been partially restored and protected by the State of New Mexico and the Pueblo of Santa Ana.

In each cultural group, kivas were and are built as places of worship (to use an English word to convey a part of the meaning). They are constructed of stone and/or earthen walls such as adobe blocks, for strength. Heavy beams of Pine carry the roof loads, and are in turn supported by heavy colums beneath. They are built to last, and are carefully maintained in their communities. Either above-ground or underground chambers help reuinite worshippers with their history and the earth. Some kivas have large, subterranean drum chambers built into their floors to accompany singing of religious songs. Other kivas in archeological sites show the remnants of careful inside plastering and colorfully painted figurative decoration.

Kivas show many similar architectural traits. From the huge 50 foot diameter kiva in Chaco Canyon's "Rinconada" ruin, to the small kivas found in scattered pueblos along the Rio Grande Valley, most contain symolic elements such as an emergence hole, or "sipapu" and the pathway leading from it. While certain knowledge of the religious beliefs of the kiva builders is necessary to full understanding, we have repectfully adopted those basic symbols and the circular form of many kivas in our logo design. These symbols are meant to connect the viewer to the enduring system of beliefs which have sustained the vital cultures in the American Southwest for thousands of years. An appreciation for that endurance and strength is necessary for full appreciation of the art forms these cultures have produced and continue to produce. We hope that our customers will make the effort to acquaint themselves to some degree, with the creative people behind the art. 

Another important trait of kivas is their use in protecting the people within, both from attack or depredation but also from unwanted attention from the outside, uninitiated world. Most of the important religious beliefs of these people have been carefully hidden away in the kivas for centuries. The relentless persecution of their beliefs by outsiders (beginning with the Spanish Conquest in the 1540's) led the ancestors of the present-day Pueblo people to keep their language and religion hidden from the secular world and its required activities. In this way, their society prospered spiritually, while learning to co-exist with the newcomers. That sense of perspective persists today among many Indian people all over the United States and unwarranted questions about their spiritual beliefs are still considered disrespectful and are usually tactfully avoided.