The Estufa is the sacred meeting place of each pueblo village, where the men congregate and where all of the sacred rites of their religious ceremonies are held. The Estufa is a circular structure built mostly under ground and entered by a single opening in the roof. The Estufas are now used as places for holding the civil, religious and secret ceremonies of the tribe, but they were originally only the sleeping and lounging places of the men and could not be entered by the women. There are sacred rites, lasting three days, held in the Estufa previous to the Corn Dance. |