J. Cosmo Lewis lives the story of the turquoise trade route. In the 1970s he traveled to the jungles of southern Mexico and Guatemala in search of sacred macaw feathers used for millennia by the Hopi religious societies. He later traveled the world, from the Mediterranean to Indonesia, to revive many other long-forgotten trade routes. This memoir is the story of those travels.
Embark on a journey that bridges cultures, continents and millennia. This remarkable memoir captures J. Cosmo’s transformative travels: from rediscovering pre-Columbian trade routes between the Southwest and Mesoamerican jungles to sourcing sacred materials—like macaw feathers—for Pueblo ceremonies. Along the way, he encounters Hopi and Zuni elders, jewelers, river runners, and unforgettable characters who shaped his vision of Trade Roots.
What you’ll find inside:
• Vivid stories of ancient ceremonies like the Zuñi Shalako, witnessed firsthand during winter solstice rites
• Personal reflections on the global network of raw materials—turquoise, shell, coral, amber and more—that empower traditional Pueblo artistry
• Rich, scene-setting memoirs from Santa Fe to the Lacandon Rain Forest, capturing a lifetime of craft, connection, and cultural exchange
Available Editions:
• Hardcover is a Limited Edition: $125 (Signed and Numbered)
• Softcover: $42.50
If you’ve ever wondered about the story behind Trade Roots—the people, the tradition, the global waterways—this book is a rare and intimate look behind the scenes.
ISBN: 979-8-991-8579-1-8
Publisher: Existential Press - Santa Fe, NM
