Pictures of Indian Dancers ~ Cliff Dwellings at Manitou Springs, Colorado
93Eagle dance at Manitou Springs, Colorado
Colorado Springs Attraction
My mother and I were staying in Colorado Springs at the start and at the end of our eleven day vacation to Colorado from Texas in July of 1999. We tried to fit in all of the attractions that we could in the time allotted and since Manitou Springs essentially blends into the Colorado Springs landscape, we decided to check out the Anasazi Cliff Dwellings there. Pictures of those cliff dwellings as well as Indian Dancing will be found in this hub.
Both Manitou Springs as well as Colorado Springs sit in the scenic foothills of the towering Pikes Peak mountain which dominates the landscape from all directions.
(c) Peggy Woods - All Rights Reserved
Manitou Cliff Dwellings and Museum in Colorado
Anasazi Indians
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Native Indians
Native Indians knew and resided in this part of Colorado long before being discovered by the white settlers.
In addition to the natural beauty of the mountains and forests, the natural mineral springs bubbling up from deep underground aquifers luring wild game to this area would have kept the Indians supplied with meat and hides necessary for their survival.
Besides the Anasazi, Ute, Kiowa, Arapaho and Cheyenne Indians all frequented this area of Manitou Springs for many years.
Anasazi Indians are called the "Ancient Ones" and are considered by modern Pueblo Indians to be their ancestors.
When the United States purchased the Louisiana Territory in 1803 from Napoleon, surveys were ordered to be taken of the entire territory.
It was after exploration of this beautiful and bountiful land that settlers started streaming into this area and gradually the native Indians were pushed out.
Sadly this happened all across America at various times and places with respect to the original Indian inhabitants of these lands.
Visit Manitou Cliff Dwellings
Manitou Cliff Dwellings
Anasazi Indian Costumes
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Cliff Palace
Narration from the video above tells viewers about the Anasazi Indians settling in the Four Corners region of the country which includes parts of Utah, New Mexico, Colorado and Arizona as well as other informative information about these Manitou Cliff Dwellings.
In addition to building lodgings with bricks made out of dried mud and vegetative materials on the ground, Indians also took advantage of the overhangs of cliffs with naturally carved out caves caused by erosive action over the years to build dwellings for themselves and their families.
These cliff palaces or cliff dwellings were secured to the front by facing them with handmade bricks.
They were also considered to be safer lodgings in case of warfare between rival tribes of Indians.
Since they were built high up into the mountainsides, all the Indians had to do to protect themselves from assault would be to pull up the homemade ladders and easy access to their homes would have been made much harder.
The downside to this would be that eventually they would be forced to exit those cliff dwellings to have access to fresh water and food.
The need for water would have been the prime necessity driving them from the safety of their save havens the soonest.
Manitou Cliff Dwellings
Manitou Cliff Dwellings
Manitou Springs Cliff Dwellings
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Great video of the Manitou Cliff Dwellings!
Manitou Cliff Dwellings
Manitou Cliff Dwellings
Cliff Dwellings
As Maggs224 so nicely pointed out in her Hubpage article regarding this Manitou Cliff Dwelling, there is controversy over its authenticity.
Obviously the cliff overhang and natural caves existed.
Some claim that these are actual ruins dating back to 1100 - 1300 A.D.
Others suggest that the bricks and structure was relocated from actual sites in the Four Corners region of the country to this location of the existing caves.
Some people say that this Manitou Cliff Dwellings structure was simply constructed to showcase how these ancient people built their cliff palaces and how they lived.
In any case, it gives visitors a chance to experience a hands-on view of life as it would have occurred centuries ago.
The adjacent museum and gift shop are well worth a visit and one can view prehistoric artifacts as well as purchase more modern souvenirs of one's visit if so inclined.
Tourists can visit the Manitou Cliff Dwellings every day of the year and at the time of our visit, adult tickets cost $7 with child tickets priced at $5.
In the months of June, July and August an added attraction are the multiple performances that can be enjoyed at no additional cost with authentic Indians dressed in colorful costumes doing dances that date back in time and hold great meaning in their native Indian culture.
Indians dancing at Manitou Cliff Dwellings
Slow War Dance featured in this video
Indians at Manitou Cliff Dwellings
Indian dances
The Hoop Dance represents the never ending circle of life.
The old beliefs meant that a person was rewarded with good or evil depending upon how they lived their lives.
In other words according to more modern terminology..."What goes around, comes around."
Personally I think that there is much credence to this belief.
Indians performing dances at Manitou Cliff Dwellings
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4th generation Anasazi dancer doing the hoop dance.
- Eagle Dance History & Cartoon Fun by Brownielocks.
Learn about this dance done by many Native Americans.
- Eagle Spirituality
The Eagle represents spiritual protection, carries prayers, and brings strength, courage, wisdom, illumination of spirit, healing, creation, and a knowledge of magic.
Eagle Dance
The Eagle Dance
This dance has great symbolic meaning as does the Eagle to many native American Indians.
Many Indians believed that the eagle who could fly higher than any other bird could carry prayers directly to God.
Thus for centuries the Eagle has been revered.
Interestingly enough, when the United States was formed, the American Bald Eagle was chosen to become our national symbol and has been featured ever since on every type of thing from currency to furniture to tapestries to paintings and so forth.
As a national symbol, the American Bald Eagle is protected and cannot be hunted or purposely killed.
That being the case, with permission from our government and only if an eagle is found dead from natural causes are today's Indians allowed access to harvesting and using eagle feathers in their ceremonies.
Thus the eagle feathers on the arms of these dancers are very special and treasured items and are not easily replaced.
Eagle dance at Manitou Cliff Dwellings
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Native American Eagle Dance
American Bald Eagle
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Manitou Cliff Dwellings Dancers
Manitou Springs, Colorado
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Have you ever visited the Manitou Cliff Dwellings?
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If you find yourself looking for attractions in Colorado Springs, just a "stone's throw" distance away is Manitou Springs where these Anasazi Cliff Dwellings can be not only be viewed but entered and explored room by room.
With modern paved paths and stairs with railings these cliff dwellings are accessible to most people. For the more adventurous who wish to climb those wooden ladders, that can also be done.
Inside of the caves looking out at the surrounding scenery, the views are magnificent.
For those who have not yet visited the cliff dwellings at Manitou Springs, Colorado, hopefully these pictures of Indian dancing as well as the other pictures leave you with an impression of what can easily fill a few hours of your time if you are ever in this gorgeous part of the country.
Manitou Cliff Dwellings location
Manitou Cliff Dwellings -
Please Rate visiting the Manitou Springs Cliff Dwellings and watching the Indian Dances
Native American Music / Ly-o-lay-ale-loya ~ Great images along with the music!
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I'm so glad I had the chance to read this wonderful Hub. It was very informative and I enjoyed the videos. I voted it UP, etc.
Hello KoffeeKlatch Gals,
The costumes of the Indian Dancing at the Cliff Dwellings at Manitou Springs, Colorado are surely that...colorful! Glad that you liked these pictures. Thanks for your comment.
Peggy, what a beautiful collection of photos. The Indians are so colorful and the Manitou Clioff Dwellers are fascinating. Thanks for sharing.
Hello Denise Handlon,
That must be fun to attend Native American powwows and see lots of Indian Dancing among other things. Happy to hear that you enjoyed reading about the cliff dwellings at Manitou Springs in Colorado. Thanks for the comment.
Voted it up. Great hub and beautiful photos and videos. I've attended many Native American powwows-usually once a year. I love N.Amer. history. Thanks for sharing.
Hello Granny's House,
I'll bet that was Montezuma's Castle in Arizona...correct? Getting to go to a pow wow and join in with the Indian dancing must have been quite an experience! Thanks for your comment.
I saw cliff dwellings something like this in AZ. I once went to a pow wow and was invited into the circle to dance. It was a real treat!
Hello ExpandYourMind,
Will have to check that out! Glad that you found the pictures of Indian dancing with the Hoop Dance interesting and meaningful. When one knows more about the meanings of these dances, it takes on so much more significance. Thanks for the comment.
Beautifully done, PeggyW. I also agree with the philosophy of the Hoop Dance. I found this in Ms. JB's award hub-- congrats!
Hello ImChemist,
The pictures of the Indian dancing against the cliff dwellings at Manitou Springs, Colorado do make for colorful images! Glad you liked seeing them and thanks for the comment and vote.
Wow , i like this beautiful pictures that i rated it beautiful.
Hi Tony,
These Indian cliff dwellings are interesting indeed. Visiting Manitou Springs, Colorado and the nearby Colorado Springs also offers much more in the way of interest for tourists. Magg's pictures taken with her husband when they were visiting the cliff dwellings at Manitou Springs were terrific. Glad to hear you also saw them. Thanks for the comment.
Thanks for sharing this amazing information and the wonderul photos. This is something I know rather little about, and would love to know more, so I found this great. Will come back for another read, I'm sure.
I remember reading Mags's Hub about the cliff dwellings some time ago.
Love and peace
Tony
Thanks for your interest, Ankuresh, and comment about the cliff dwellings at Manitou Springs, Colorado along with the Indian dancing.
nice. loved it
Hi Billy,
I agree that those colorful costumes set against the red toned cliff dwellings when the Indian dancing takes place is a great color contrast. Yes...seeing it in person at Manitou Springs, Colorado is an even better proposition than seeing it here, but at least viewers can get an idea of what there is to experience via these pictures and videos. Thanks for your comment.
The vibrant colors against the deep red hues of the earth is a very striking image - I can only imagine the effect first hand - nice presentation to boot!
Hi Maggs,
I loved all the pictures and information you have in your hub about the Manitou Cliff Dwellings. Yours is a terrific hub to read and view which is why I am happily pointing people your way. Since you and your husband missed seeing the Indian Dancing, when I found your hub I thought that I would take my hub in a different direction. Thanks for linking mine to yours. They compliment each other perfectly and if people read both they will have an even greater idea of the scenery, etc. that can be enjoyed. Thanks for your comment.
Hi Peggy I really enjoyed reading your hub, you really are an excellent tour guide. You are such a good writer that I felt like I was really there along with you and your mom.
Thanks for the mention I will be posting a link to yours along with my recommendation for folks to come and visit your fantastic page.
I have rated you up, and I will be popping back whenever I want to have a virtual wander round the Cliff Dwellings at Manitou Springs
Greetings Hello, hello,
Glad that you enjoyed this hub and the pictures portraying the Indian dancing at the cliff dwellings found at Manitou Springs, Colorado. Yes, we could learn much from our Native American Indians! Thanks for the comment.
Thank you, Peggy, for giving me such a feast. They are fascinating peoplw. I am glad they get more recognized. They have a wealth to give. I wish people would listen before it's too late.
Hi Pamela,
The costumes for the Indian dancing are admittedly colorful. Perhaps someday if you decide to travel to Colorado you can put Manitou Springs and the cliff dwellings on your list of places to visit. Thanks for the comment and rating.
Peggy, I would absolutely love to visit the cliff dwellings. Your pictures were fantastic and I like the Eagle dance. The costumes are so colorful and beautiful. Awesome hub/rated up.
Hello Prasetio,
Happy to be able to teach the great teacher Prasetio something that he did not already know! :-)
Native Indians existed almost everywhere in what eventually became the United States of America. Some were hunter/gatherers and therefore more nomadic traveling with the seasons and following the food supply. Others relied upon crops that they planted for food sources therefore putting down more permanent roots. Some indians were more combative in nature and others more peaceful.
Thanks for reading and commenting on this hub about the Anasazi cliff dwellings in Manitou Springs, Colorado.
Hello Merlin,
Thank you for the accolade on this hub regarding the cliff dwellings at Manitou Springs, Colorado and the Indian Dancing.
Yes, our treatment of the native Indians who roamed the land now called America was shameful to say the least.
We could learn so much from them as to how they respectfully treated the land and only used what was necessary for survival. No slaughtering of animals for trophies to hang on their walls...just one small example. If they killed an animal almost every part of that animal was utilized from the hides to the meat and even the bones.
From what I know (and I am certainly no expert) their spirituality and beliefs encompassed everything that was bestowed upon them from God (or gods) from the earth they trod to the wonder of fire, water, birds in the air and the buffalo that helped give them food and shelter, etc.
They may have lived simply but revered what is most important in this life and beyond. Thanks for your comment.
Hi Ben,
Perhaps you were too busy to do much sightseeing when you spent that time in Colorado Springs?
My mother and I started our vacation by flying from Houston to Colorado Springs then rented a car. We drove to other areas of the State and naturally ended up back in Colorado Springs before returning home. I had researched what there was to see and do from that base of operation in the time allotted and thought that the Cliff Dwellings at Manitou Springs would be interesting to see. We lucked out on the timing, since it was in the summer, to also be able to see the Indian Dancing which really added flavor to the experience.
At least with these pictures (and those of Maggs) you have an idea of what is there if you ever find yourself back in that area. Thanks for the comment.
I liked everything about Indian. You post valuable information about Indian. And the good news, I never thought that this is actually exist on Colorado. I really enjoy all the pictures and video. Vote up. Congratulations for your 100 hub score. God bless you.
Love and peace,
Hi Peggy,
A brilliant hub is one that adds to the knowledge of the reader and this is a case where the word brilliant isn’t strong enough to describe it.
How our ancestors ever had the audacity to call these people savages beggars belief and I hope that no one white washes that shameful part out of our history.
Really lovely Peggy. I am disappointed to realize that a few years ago I lived in Colorado Springs for a month and didn't realize the Anasazi site was so close! Ug. Well, maybe in the future. I can only imagine the feeling of being there.
Thanks for taking us along with you and your mom.
Ben
Hello Kim Lynn,
So glad that you enjoyed the pictures of the cliff dwellings and also the Indian dancing at Manitou Springs, Colorado. Thanks for letting me know. :-)
Hello Truckstop Sally,
You are right in that the dancing done by the Indians on site at the Manitou Cliff Dwellings teach people about Indian culture in a fun way. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.
I really enjoyed the pictures!
The colors in the costumes are amazing! Sharing music, song, and dance are wonderful ways to learn about a culture. Thanks
Hello Stan Fletcher,
Glad that these pictures of Indian dancing at the Manitou Cliff Dwellings reminded you of your being there. Appreciated your comment of "Been there. Done that. Loved it!" (Smile)
Hello Eiddwen,
So very happy to hear how much you enjoyed this hub about Indian Dancing at the Cliff Dwellings located in Manitou Springs, Colorado. Those Indian costumes certainly make for colorful pictures! Thanks for your comment.
Hello AustinStar,
I agree with you that Colorado Springs area including Manitou Springs is simply gorgeous. Your having spent a year there must have been fun.
Attending a Native American Indian powwow sounds like it would be fun. So much to learn from those cultures!
Thanks for that suggestion and comment.
Hello katrinsui,
Happy to hear that you enjoyed these pictures of the Indian dancing at Manitou Springs, Colorado with the cliff dwellings as a backdrop. Quite a stage setting! Thanks for your comment.
Hi Micky,
There is a magical and holy, if you will, atmosphere to the Cliff Dwellings at Manitou Springs, Colorado. Thanks for the visit and comment.
Hello CMHypno,
Yes, Manitou Springs is definitely worth a visit for the cliff dwellings as well as other reasons. It is also so close to the wonderful Colorado Springs attractions like Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak, the U.S. Air Force Academy and other sites as well. A vacation could easily be spent just exploring this one part of the country in Colorado. Thanks for your comment.
Been there. Done that. Loved it! Thanks for the reminder and the great pics!
Hello agusfanani,
As you say, keeping one's culture alive is important for people all around the world. These American Indian dancers share some of their culture with their dancing by explaining some of the meaning behind those dances. They also invite the audience to ask any questions. It is a wonderful part of what can be enjoyed at the Manitou Cliff Dwellings if visited in the summertime months.
Thanks for your comment. No...not all Indians lived in tepees! :-)
Hi Cheryl,
Happy to hear that you enjoyed not only the pictures but the videos of the Indians doing their various dances at the Manitou Cliff Dwellings. My mother and I had some fun there that day! Thanks for the comment.
Hello sofs,
Yes...it really doesn't matter if the Cliff Dwellings at Manitou Springs, Colorado are authentic or just reproduced. One really can get an idea of just how these cliff dwelling Indians lived by being able to wander through these interconnecting rooms and look out of those windows. The pottery and relics in the museum are authentic and one can learn much by talking to the Indians who do the ceremonial dancing at that site. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Hello dahoglund,
You are correct in that the cliff dwelling Indians were typically more agrarian in nature. Obviously with that type of building, they stayed put and did not roam about as much as the more war-like Indians or those who relied upon hunting as their primary source of food.
You have a good memory from your school days! Thanks for the comment.
Hello Mrs. J.B.,
I am taking it as a compliment that you got your husband to take a look at these pictures of Indian dancing at the cliff dwellings found in Manitou Springs, Colorado. They also engage the audience and answer any questions the audience members might have regarding Indian customs. It is a very nice feature of visiting these Manitou Cliff Dwellings during the summer months.
Thanks for the comment.
Hi David,
Hope you enjoy yourself at the Manitou Springs Cliff Dwellings in Colorado! Thanks for the comment.
A really well written and researched hub. I loved it from beginning to end. I had to come back to it a few times.
Thanks for the great read and so well done.
Take care
Eiddwen
Thanks for doing this hub! I visited Colorado Springs for a year as a consultant and I really loved the area. I didn't much care for the dry air, but the rest of the area is stunning! There is a lot to see there in Co. Springs.
Being part Native American myself, I go to powwows yearly and recommend that anyone who is interested to go to your nearest powwow and experience the dances and story telling as well as the arts and crafts of our ancestors!
Very informative hub. The Photographs are really cool.
This area seems so magical or holy to me. Thank you dear Peggy! I dream of places like this all the time. God bless Peggy.
Manitou Springs looks like a fascinating place to visit Peggy. Another destination to add to my ever lengthening list of 'must visit'
Traditional culture is a nation's treasure that must be preserved. I was introduced to Indian cultures through cowboy movies but I didn't know there were Indians living at cliffs because most of them live in tepees. Thank you for this beautiful hub Peggy W.
Peggy,
Thanks for sharing the pictures and videos of Indian Dancing, Cliff Dwellings at Manitou Springs Colorado. I love the architecture, the colorful indian dancers and the history and tradition of the Native Americans. A great and meaningful hub.
Very informative hub, it is wonderful to read and see history come alive. Thank you for sharing. God bless you!
I've always been a bit curious about the cliff dwellers.From what I recall of my college courses they were quite different than the Indians that we generally have an image of because they were, I think, agricultural people rather than hunters. I think they were also non-warrior Indians.It could be that this is not true of all cliff dwellers.Thanks for bringing them to our attention.
I absolutely loved this hub.... Even my husband looked at the pictures.
I'm ready to go!! My wife and I visited a new pueblo this weekend. I can't wait until spring so we can visit many more.
Thanks for another good hub.
David
Peggy W Hub Author 17 hours ago
Hi Mary,
So glad to hear that you enjoyed seeing the photos, videos & learning about the Cliff Dwellings at Manitou Springs. Appreciate your comment and votes.