Native American Tribes of the Desert Southwest
What is the South West Region?
This region is located in Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, and Nevada. Most of the region is hot and rocky and receives very little rainfall. The Southwest Indian region is home to the largest Indian tribe in the U.S., the Navajo. It covers over seventeen million acres in New Mexico, Utah, and Arizona and is larger than some U.S. states.
This region is located in Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, and Nevada. Most of the region is hot and rocky and receives very little rainfall. The Southwest Indian region is home to the largest Indian tribe in the U.S., the Navajo. It covers over seventeen million acres in New Mexico, Utah, and Arizona and is larger than some U.S. states.
Who are the tribes of the Desert Southwest?
There are five well- known tribes from the Southwest: Apache, Hopi, Navajo, Pueblo, and Zuni tribes.
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How did they live?
Many of the tribes lived in different types of houses. Hopi and Zuni tribes were traditionally farmers and had permanent homes. While Apache and Navajo tribes were nomadic hunters. Most of the Southwest tribes lived in a box-shaped home made of Adobe. Adobe is made out of clay, stray, and water. Other tribes lived in mud huts called hogans.
Many of the tribes lived in different types of houses. Hopi and Zuni tribes were traditionally farmers and had permanent homes. While Apache and Navajo tribes were nomadic hunters. Most of the Southwest tribes lived in a box-shaped home made of Adobe. Adobe is made out of clay, stray, and water. Other tribes lived in mud huts called hogans.
What type of clothing did they wear?
Since the weather was hot many of the tribes wouldn't wear much clothing.When the weather was cold they wore clothing made from deerskin, sheepskin, and wool. They wore moccasins on their feet. The clothes were very colorful. They also loved silver jewelry, decorated with turquoise, and wore it most of the time. Turquoise is a pretty blue stone. The tribes looked at it as a stone that promotes health, happiness, and good fortune.
Since the weather was hot many of the tribes wouldn't wear much clothing.When the weather was cold they wore clothing made from deerskin, sheepskin, and wool. They wore moccasins on their feet. The clothes were very colorful. They also loved silver jewelry, decorated with turquoise, and wore it most of the time. Turquoise is a pretty blue stone. The tribes looked at it as a stone that promotes health, happiness, and good fortune.
What were some of their traditions, ceremonies, and art/recreation?
The tribes of the southwest are famous for their beautiful traditional baskets. These baskets are colorful and have beautiful patterns. Often pottery was also decorated with designs that told stories. They used to use sand to make beautiful pictures which was called "sand panting". They used dyes from plants to color the sand.
The Zuni and Hopi Southwest tribes carved dolls, called Kachina dolls, out of wood. The dolls were decorated with masks and costumes to represent the Kachina spirits
The naming of a newborn baby is such an important part of the Southwest culture that it is not done by the parents, but relatives and tribe leaders. Hopi babies are not named until 20 days after they are born. Most babies spent the early years of their life strapped to their mothers in what is sometimes referred to as a papoose. Young girls learn to help around the camp, doing chores such as making food, weaving baskets, and sewing. Young boys of the Southwest tribes learn to make weapons and hunt.
The tribes of the southwest are famous for their beautiful traditional baskets. These baskets are colorful and have beautiful patterns. Often pottery was also decorated with designs that told stories. They used to use sand to make beautiful pictures which was called "sand panting". They used dyes from plants to color the sand.
The Zuni and Hopi Southwest tribes carved dolls, called Kachina dolls, out of wood. The dolls were decorated with masks and costumes to represent the Kachina spirits
The naming of a newborn baby is such an important part of the Southwest culture that it is not done by the parents, but relatives and tribe leaders. Hopi babies are not named until 20 days after they are born. Most babies spent the early years of their life strapped to their mothers in what is sometimes referred to as a papoose. Young girls learn to help around the camp, doing chores such as making food, weaving baskets, and sewing. Young boys of the Southwest tribes learn to make weapons and hunt.