Oʼodham
The Oʼodham, 'Upper Oʼodham, or Upper Pima' are a group of Native Americans in [the United States|Native American] peoples including the Akimel Oʼodham, the Tohono Oʼodham, and the Hia C-eḍ Oʼodham. Their historical territory is in the Sonoran Desert in southern and central Arizona and northern Sonora, and they are united by a common heritage language, the Oʼodham language. Today, many Oʼodham live in the Tohono Oʼodham Nation, the San Xavier Indian Reservation, the Gila River Indian Community, the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, the Ak-Chin Indian Community or off-reservation in one of the cities or towns of Arizona.
They have also historically been referred to as Hímeris.
In the Oʼodham language, "Oʼodham" literally means "person," "man," or "human being."
History
Most archaeologists believe the Oʼodham to be descended from the Hohokam, although some argue that one group invaded the other's territory.As of the late 1600s, Oʼodham rancherías in the Santa Cruz River Valley included:
Language
The Oʼodham language, variously called Oʼodham ñeʼokĭ, Oʼodham ñiʼokĭ or Oʼotham ñiok, is spoken by all Oʼodham groups. There are certain dialectal differences, but they are mutually intelligible and all Oʼodham groups can understand one another. Lexicographical differences have arisen among the different groups, especially in reference to newer technologies and innovations.Oʼodham sub-groups
The Pima Alto or Upper Pima groups were subdivided by scholars on the basis of cultural, economic and linguistic differences into two main groupings:One was known commonly as the Pima or River Pima. Since the late 20th century, they have been called by their own name, or endonym: Akimel Oʼotham
- Akimel Oʼodham
- * Onʼk Akimel Oʼodham, now included in the Salt River Indian Reservation.
- * Keli Akimel O'otham, now known as the Gila River Indian Community
- Ak-Chin Oʼodham, Ak-Chin Indian Community
- Sobaipuri,, originally lived in the valleys of the San Pedro River and Upper Santa Cruz River. In the early 18th century, they were gradually driven out of the lower San Pedro River valley. In the middle of the century, their remaining settlements along the upper San Pedro River were broken up by Arivaipa and Pinaleño Apache attacks. They moved west, seeking refuge among the Tohono Oʼodham and Akimel Oʼodham, with whom they merged.
- Tohono Oʼodham ; the neighboring Akimel Oʼodham called them Pahpah Au-Authm or Ba꞉bawĭkoʼa – "eating tepary beans", which was pronounced Papago by the Spanish. They lived in the semi-arid deserts and mountains south of present-day Tucson, Tubac, and south of the Gila River
- * Kuitatk
- * Sikorhimat
- * Wahw Kihk
- * San Pedro
- * Tciaur
- * Anegam
- * Imkah
- * Tecolote
- Hia C-eḍ Oʼodham
- * Areneños Pinacateños or Pinacateños
- * Areneños
| Hia C-eḍ Oʼodham | Tohono Oʼodham | Akimel Oʼodham | |
| Traditional homeland | Between the Ajo Range, the Gila River, the Colorado River and the Gulf of California | Desert south of the Gila River | Land around the Gila and Salt Rivers |
| Meaning of endonym | Sand Dune People | Desert People | River People |
| Habitation patterns | Nomadic | Separate winter and summer residences | Perennial habitation on rancherías |
| Prevalence of agriculture | Nearly 100% hunting and gathering | 75% hunting and gathering, 25% agricultural | 40% hunting and gathering, 60% agricultural |