Indigenous peoples of the North American Southwest

The Indigenous peoples of the North American Southwest are those in the current states of

Many contemporary cultural traditions exist within the Greater Southwest, including

List of Indigenous affiliated and related peoples

• Genízaros, originating from the Great Plains, recognized as an Indigenous group in the US state of New Mexico
• Hispanos, most have mestizo ancestry, particularly in New Mexico^[2][3][4]
  • Californios, California (The Californias)
  • Hispanos of New Mexico (Santa Fe de Nuevo México)
  • Tejanos, Texas (Coahuila y Tejas)

History

The Pre-Columbian culture of the

• The
  Aztec Ruins, and Salmon Ruins
  .
• The
  Mesoamerican cultures to the south, and show cultural influences from these southerners.^[6]
• Paquime and Hueco Tanks
  , an area of low mountains between the Franklin Mountains to the west and the Hueco Mountains to the east.

Agriculture in the Southwest was based on the cultivation of maize, beans, squash and sunflower seeds.^[8] The Tepary bean Phaseolus acutifolius has been a staple food of Native peoples in the Southwest for thousands of years on account of their tolerance of drought conditions. They require wet soil to germinate but then prefer dry conditions, so they were generally grown on floodplains that would dry out after heavy rains.^[9]

Foraging for wild foods also played a major role in the ancient diet of Southwestern peoples. For example, the fruit and seeds of the Saguaro cactus were collected and eaten both fresh and dried, and made into preserves and drinks by tribes such as the Tohono O'odham and Pima.^[10] The flower buds of the Cholla cactus have also been collected and roasted in clay lined pits.^[11] Another important food for Indigenous peoples living in mountainous areas of the Southwest are the seeds of the Pinyon pine, known as "pine nuts" or "piñóns."^[12] The nuts are traditionally a vital source of protein in the winter for the Ute and Paiute peoples.

The agave plant has historically been a vital food source, useful to Indigenous people in many ways.^[13] Agave hearts can be roasted and relished for their sweetness, and dried agave eaten during the winter months. The tough fibers of agave are used in making baskets and mats. In addition, agave is famously used for distilled spirits such as tequila and mezcal.

Indigenous peoples of the region have traditionally raised turkey and hunted deer, antelope and rabbit. After European contact they began to keep sheep, goats and cattle.^[14]

Society and culture

Contemporary Pueblo Indians continue to be organized on a clan basis for pueblo activities and curing ceremonies.^[15] The clans of the eastern Pueblos are organized into the Summer people and the Winter people (Tanoans) or as the Turquoise people and the Squash people. The western Puebloans are organized into several matrilineal lineages and clans. Many Pueblo peoples continue to practice the kachina (katsina) religion.

See also

• Indigenous peoples of Mexico
• Native Americans in the United States

References