Halchidhoma facts for kids

The Halchidhoma are an American Indian tribe. Their name in the Maricopa language is Xalychidom Piipaa or Xalychidom Piipaash, which means 'people who live toward the water'. Today, most Halchidhoma people live on the Salt River reservation in Arizona.

Long ago, the Halchidhoma lived along the lower Colorado River in parts of California and Arizona. When Europeans first arrived, the Halchidhoma were in this area. In the early 1800s, they faced pressure from their neighbors, the Mohave and Quechan tribes. Because of this, they moved to the middle Gila River. Some Halchidhoma joined with the Maricopa people, while others moved to the Salt River and kept their own separate identity. The Halchidhoma currently speak the Maricopa language.

A Look at Halchidhoma History

The Halchidhoma first appeared in written records between 1604 and 1605. A Spanish group from New Mexico, led by Juan de Oñate, met the "Alebdoma" tribe. This meeting happened on the lower Colorado River, where it joins the Gila River.

About 100 years later, in 1700, the Jesuit explorer Eusebio Francisco Kino returned to the river. By then, the Halchidhoma had moved about 100 miles north along the river.

Tribal Alliances and Movements

Tribes along the lower Colorado and Gila rivers often formed alliances. These alliances helped them protect themselves or fight against other tribes. The Halchidhoma were part of a group that included the Maricopa and Cocopa tribes. This group was often in conflict with the Quechan and Mohave tribes.

In the 1820s, the Halchidhoma were forced to leave the Colorado River. They found safety with the Maricopa people on the middle Gila River. Over the next few decades, some Halchidhoma continued their journey to Lehi on the Salt River. There, they kept their unique identity. Other Halchidhoma stayed with the Maricopa and became part of that tribe. The land the Halchidhoma left on the Colorado River was later settled by the Chemehuevi tribe.

Halchidhoma Population Over Time

It can be hard to know the exact number of people in Native American groups before Europeans arrived. In 1776, a Franciscan missionary named Francisco Garcés estimated there were about 2,500 Halchidhoma people. Later, in 1925, a researcher named Alfred L. Kroeber estimated the Halchidhoma population in 1770 was around 1,000.

The Halchidhoma Language

Historical records show that the Halchidhoma once had their own language. It was part of the Yuman language family, specifically the River Yuman group. Due to wars and conflicts with European settlers, the Halchidhoma settled near the Maricopa people.

Today, many Halchidhoma live in Lehi. This is a small community within the Salt River Pima–Maricopa Indian Community. They live on the south banks of the Salt River. Even now, they continue to speak what they call the Halchidhoma language.

Halchidhoma and Maricopa Today

Many Halchidhoma people living in the Salt River Pima–Maricopa Indian Community often say they are Maricopa in English. However, both the Halchidhoma and Maricopa groups agree that they are separate tribes. They keep their own languages and unique identities.