Pima people facts for kids
 O'odham portraits
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| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 19,921 +/−4,574 (2010) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 United States ( Arizona) |
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| Languages | |
| O'odham, English, Spanish | |
| Religion | |
| Roman Catholicism, traditional tribal religion | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
The Pima people, also known as Akimel O'odham (which means "River People"), are a group of Native Americans. They live in areas that are now central and southern Arizona in the United States. Some also live in northwestern Mexico, in the states of Sonora and Chihuahua.
Most Akimel O'odham in the U.S. live on two special areas called reservations. These are the Gila River Indian Community (GRIC) and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRPMIC).
The Akimel O'odham are closely related to other groups like the Ak-Chin O'odham. They are also connected to the Sobaipuri people. Together with the Tohono O'odham ("Desert People") and the Hia C-ed O'odham ("Sand Dune People"), they form a larger group called the Upper O'odham.
The shorter name "Pima" likely came from a Spanish phrase. When Spanish explorers first met them, the O'odham often said "I don't know" (pi 'añi mac or pi mac). The Spanish then started calling them "Pima." Later, English speakers also used this name.
Contents
Early History of the Akimel O'odham
Before Europeans arrived, the Pima people called themselves Othama. Spanish missionaries first wrote about Pima villages in 1694. Some of these villages were called Kina, Equituni, and Uturituc. Today, the Akimel O'odham have their own names for their communities. These include U's kehk (Blackwater) and Gu꞉U Ki (Sacaton).
Scientists who study ancient cultures believe the Akimel O'odham are connected to an ancient group called the Hohokam. The word Hohokam comes from the O'odham word Huhugam. This means "those who have gone before" or "The Ancestors."
The Upper O'odham groups were divided based on their culture, how they lived, and their language. The main groups were:
- The Akimel O'odham ("River People"). They lived and farmed along the Gila, Salt, and Santa Cruz rivers in Arizona.
- The On'k Akimel O'odham ("Salt River People") lived along the Salt River. They are now part of the Salt River Indian Reservation.
- The Keli Akimel O'odham ("Gila River People") lived along the Gila River. They are now known as the Gila River Indian Community (GRIC).
- The Ak-Chin O'odham are part of the Ak-Chin Indian Community.
- The Sobaipuri people originally lived near the San Pedro River. They later moved and joined the Tohono O'odham and Akimel O'odham.
Another main group is the Tohono O'odham ("Desert People"). They live in the deserts and mountains south of Tucson.
- The Hia C-eḍ O'odham ("Sand Dune People") lived in the deserts west of the Tohono O'odham. They were also known as "Sand Pimas."
The Akimel O'odham lived in villages along rivers like the Gila and Salt. Their homes were often grouped together, with families sharing a central outdoor area and kitchen. They built round houses called "Olas Ki:ki" from brush. The O'odham are a matrilocal society. This means daughters and their husbands live with or near the daughter's mother.
All O'odham groups speak the O'odham language. There are some differences in how they speak, but they can all understand each other.
The Akimel O'odham's economy was based on farming, hunting, and gathering food. They also traded a lot. Long ago, they built a large system of canals to bring water to their farms in the dry desert. This system is still used today.
The Akimel O'odham were skilled at making textiles. They created beautiful baskets and woven cloth. Before Europeans arrived, their main rivals were the Apache and Yavapai tribes. These tribes would sometimes raid O'odham villages to get food and resources.
History After 1694
The Akimel O'odham did not have much contact with European settlers at first. The first recorded visit was by Father Kino in 1694. Contact with Mexicans was also rare between 1821 and 1853. However, European contact brought new things. These included diseases that the O'odham had no protection against. They also brought new crops like wheat, livestock, and metal tools.
More Americans started coming to the middle Gila Valley after 1846. This was due to the Mexican–American War. The Akimel O'odham helped American explorers like Stephen Watts Kearny. After Mexico lost the war, it gave the land that is now Arizona to the United States in 1853.
Soon after, the California Gold Rush began. Many Americans traveled through O'odham lands on their way to California. The O'odham villages became important stops. Travelers could rest, buy supplies, and get new animals for their journey.
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The Gadsden Purchase in 1853 brought southern Arizona into the U.S. This created new markets for the O'odham. They sold grain to travelers and the military. This made the Akimel O'odham very successful for a while. The Gila River Indian Community (GRIC) was created in 1859.
After the American Civil War, more American settlers moved to areas along the Gila and Salt Rivers. This led to more tension between Native Americans and settlers. The U.S. government started a policy to move Native Americans to reservations. This caused big changes in O'odham villages. Towns like Vahki (Casa Blanca) and Gu U ki (Sacaton) grew as important centers.
By 1898, farming had almost stopped in the GRIC. The Akimel O'odham mostly earned money by cutting wood. In 1914, the government started dividing communal land into smaller plots for individuals. This was an attempt to change their traditional way of life.
A big effort to help the Akimel O'odham was the San Carlos Project Act of 1924. This plan was to build a dam on the Gila River to provide water for farming. However, the project did not help the O'odham as intended. It stopped the flow of water in the Gila River, which caused a long period of famine for the Akimel O'odham. Many O'odham believe these government actions were very harmful.
Over many years, the U.S. government tried to make the Akimel O'odham adopt American ways of life. But after World War II, the Akimel O'odham became more interested in their own tribal rights and economic growth. They have regained their self-government. They have also started successful businesses in farming and communication. They built casinos to earn money for their community. They are also building a new water system to bring farming back to their lands.
Akimel O'odham and the Salt River
The Akimel O'odham ("River People") have lived along the Gila and Salt Rivers for a very long time. Their way of life, called himdagĭ, is deeply connected to the river. The river is considered sacred to them. Himdagĭ is more than just a word; it includes their religion, morals, values, and how they see the world. Their beliefs are strongly linked to the natural world around them.
Today, the Gila and Salt Rivers are often dry. This is because of dams upstream that block the water flow. Also, non-native farmers divert water for their own use. This has caused great sadness and anger among the O'odham people. The lack of water, along with dry periods, led to long times of famine. This was a huge change from the prosperity they once had.
The diversion of water led to a long legal fight between the Gila River Indian Community and the U.S. government. The O'odham won this case, and a law was signed in 2005. Sometimes, during the monsoon season, the Salt River does flow, even if it's low. In 2004, a big rainstorm caused water to be released from dams, which was a small celebration for the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.
The lack of traditional water and the change to a non-native diet are believed to be major reasons for the high rate of type 2 diabetes among the Akimel O'odham.
Modern Life
As of 2014, most Akimel O'odham live in the Gila River Indian Community (GRIC). Many also live in the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRPMIC). Both of these communities include two different groups: the Akimel O'odham and the Maricopa.
There are four federally recognized O'odham tribes in the Southwest. They all speak the same language. These are the Gila River Indian Community, the Salt River Pima–Maricopa Indian Community, the Ak-Chin Indian Community, and the Tohono O'odham Nation. The Hia C-ed O'odham ("Sand Dune People") are not federally recognized.
Today, the GRIC is a self-governing tribe. They live on over 550,000 acres (2,200 km2) of land in central Arizona. The community has seven districts, like small states. They are led by an elected Governor and Tribal Council. There are more than 19,000 members in the community.
The Gila River Indian Community has many businesses. These include three casinos, golf courses, a luxury resort, and an amusement park. They also manage industrial parks and farms. The GRIC is home to both the Maricopa people and the Keli Akimel O'odham.
The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community is smaller. It also has an elected President and tribal council. They run casinos, industrial projects, and construction businesses. This community is home to the Onk Akimel O'odham, the Maricopa of Lehi, and some Tohono O'odham and Keli Akimel O'odham.
The Ak-Chin Indian Community is in the Santa Cruz Valley in Arizona. It is mostly made up of Ak-Chin O'odham and Tohono O'odham, along with some Yoeme people. The word Ak-Chin means "mouth of the arroyo" or "where the wash disappears into the sand."
The Keli Akimel O'odham and Onk Akimel O'odham face health issues. These are linked to the changes in their traditional way of life and farming. They have the highest rate of type 2 diabetes in the world. This is much higher than in other groups in the U.S. Scientists study the Pima people to understand diabetes better.
One idea is that Native Americans might have a genetic tendency for diabetes. This, combined with a sudden change from traditional farm foods to processed foods, and less physical activity, may have led to the increase in diabetes. For example, O'odham people in Mexico, who are genetically similar, have only a slightly higher rate of diabetes than other Mexicans.
Customs
The Akimel O'odham believe that names are very important. From age ten until marriage, boys and girls were not allowed to say their own names out loud. They thought this would bring bad luck. Also, people in the tribe do not say the names of those who have passed away. This is to avoid calling their spirits back. However, the words in the names are still used in the language.
Children were carefully taught about morals, religion, and other important topics. Their ceremonies often included special speeches. In these speeches, a speaker would tell parts of their ancient myths. These stories were especially important when preparing for war. The speeches were changed for each event, but the main message stayed the same.
Notable Akimel O'odham
- Natalie Diaz, a poet, language activist, and former professional basketball player.
- Ira Hayes (1923–1955), a Marine paratrooper famous for raising the flag at the Battle of Iwo Jima.
- Douglas Miles, an artist and social worker.
- Big Chief Russell Moore (1912–1983), a jazz trombonist.
See also
In Spanish: Pueblo pima para niños
