Talking to the Rain : Jornada Mogollon and the Rio Grande Tradition

Explores ancient dialogue between desert farmers and the cosmos In this visually stunning volume, Polly Schaafsma, leading authority on pre-Hispanic Indian rock imagery and kiva murals of the greater American Southwest, provides an insightful journey into the petroglyphs and rock paintings of the Jornada Mogollon farmers in southern New Mexico's lower Chihuahuan to the Rain defines the Rio Grande Tradition, emphasizing the foundational Jornada Style as exemplified by its Mimbres-like imagery as well as its diverse and complex rain-making symbolism. By examining visual metaphors of cosmology and place-making, the book reveals an ancient dialogue between farmers and the cosmos that places rain for crops as its central concern. Exceptional color photographs by FranÇois Gohier invite readers to experience the landscapes and locations selected for creating these images. Both scholarly and accessible, Talking to the Rain offers a fresh perspective on cultural landscapes and the profound connections between people, art, and environment, making it essential for understanding Southwest cultural history.Author: Polly Schaafsma,author,François Gohier,photographer Contributors: Polly Schaafsma,author,François Gohier,photographer Binding: paperback Publication Date: Release Date: Languages: English,Published,English,Original Language,Englis Published/Release Date: 6 Feb 2026 Format: Paperback / softback Publisher/Studio/Brand: University of Utah Press,U.S. Author/Director/Artist: Polly Schaafsma Dimension (cm): 254x216x10 mm Package Dimension (cm): 10x254x216 mm Item Weight (g): 500 Package Weight (g): 540