Indigenous peoples of the North American Southwest

The Indigenous peoples of the North American Southwest are the groups of people who have lived in the areas now known as Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and Nevada in the United States, as well as Sonora and Chihuahua in northern Mexico. This large region stretches from Durango, Mexico in the south to Durango, Colorado in the north, and from Las Vegas, Nevada on the west to Las Vegas, New Mexico on the east.

Many different cultures and languages exist in this area. Some groups, like the Yuman-speaking peoples, lived along the Colorado River and in the uplands. Others, such as the O'odham people, lived in Southern Arizona and northern Sonora. The Pueblo peoples have long lived in villages in Arizona and New Mexico.

During the 14th and 15th centuries, new groups arrived in the Southwest. The Apache and Navajo peoples came from Canada and became important parts of the region's history and culture. Today, these Indigenous groups continue to keep their traditions alive.

List of Indigenous peoples of the North American Southwest

Main article: Classification of Indigenous peoples of the Americas

See also: Indigenous peoples of Aridoamerica

The Indigenous peoples of the North American Southwest live in parts of the United States and Mexico. They include many groups such as the Ak Chin, Akimel O'odham (formerly known as Pima), and various Apache groups like the Chiricahua Apache and Navajo. There are also Pueblo peoples like the Hopi and Zuni, as well as the Tohono O'odham and Yaqui.

Some of these groups have descendants and related peoples today, such as the Genízaros, who are descendants of various Indigenous and Hispanic groups. Many Hispanic people in areas like New Mexico also have ancestry from Native groups of the Southwest.

History

Main article: Oasisamerica

The ancient cultures of the American Southwest and Northern Mexico grew into three big groups, called Oasisamerica.

• The Ancestral Pueblo peoples, or Anasazi, built homes and made special pottery in the Four Corners area. Their work can still be seen at places like Pueblo Bonito in Chaco Canyon, and Mesa Verde.
• The Hohokam lived near the Gila River and Salt River. They made canals to help their crops grow and traded with people far to the south.
• The Mogollon peoples lived in places such as the Gila Wilderness and Mimbres River Valley.

Other smaller groups also lived in this area, like the La Junta Indians, the Patayan, and the Fremont.

Material Culture

The Indigenous peoples of the North American Southwest grew crops like maize, beans, squash, and sunflower seeds. One special type of bean called the Tepary bean Phaseolus acutifolius has been important for thousands of years because it can grow in dry places.

Besides farming, these people also gathered wild foods. For example, the Tohono O'odham and Pima tribes collected and ate Saguaro cactus fruit and seeds. They also roasted Cholla cactus flower buds in special pits. In the mountains, the Ute and Paiute peoples collected Pinyon pine seeds, called "pine nuts", which helped them stay healthy in winter.

The agave plant was very useful. Its hearts could be roasted for a sweet treat, and its fibers were used to make baskets and mats. Agave is also used to make drinks like tequila and mezcal.

These Indigenous peoples raised turkeys and hunted animals like deer, antelope, and rabbits. After Europeans arrived, they also started keeping sheep, goats, and cattle.

Society and culture

Main article: Puebloans

The Pueblo Indians today still organize themselves into clans for their activities and ceremonies. In the eastern Pueblos, clans are sometimes called the Summer people and the Winter people, or the Turquoise people and the Squash people. The western Puebloans have many clans passed down from mothers to daughters. Many Pueblo peoples still follow the kachina religion, which honors spiritual beings.