"Southwest Native American History"

Starting today I'll be bringing forth different Native American cultures. From Canada to Meso-America. When people think of Indians. They think of the American Indian. When in fact the Native Americans. Actually range from Alaska-Canada north. Down to southern Mexico and the indigenous tribes of Meso-America. Such as the Mayans, Toltec, Aztec and other tribes of people. I'll start with the different regions. Such as Southwest, Northwest, Northeast etc. of the United States. Then do other areas of the Americas. These will be brief history's of the tribes and cultures. My self wanting to start a Internet Radio show. Featuring the different Native America Indian culture. I thought by learning these facts. I might as well put them in my blogs. When possible, I'll try to while writing about the tribes of Arizona. I'll try and visit as many reservations as possible. I went to the Pima and Hohokam museums yesterday to record some videos. But my new Camcorder sound was faulty. So today I went and got a replacement.

Today will be about the early Tribal cultures of the Southwest area. Which incorporates Arizona, Utah, Colorado and New Mexico. Commonly know as the Four Corners area. These cultures are not necessarily the first inhabitants of the area. As there seems to be quite a spread. On who was the first inhabitants of North America. Today will be the cultures of the Mogollon, Hohokam and Anasazi. Then I'll get into each of the individual tribes of the area. Such as the Apache, Hopi, Navajo, etc. of Arizona.

Mongollon (mo-goi-YONE) Is a area that reaches from the west of Jerome Arizona. To the central border of Arizona and New Mexico. These tribal areas were first started in 300 BC. And extended to 1,300 AD. These tribes were descendants of the earlier Cochise culture. Some of the tribes of today that live in the same area are. Apache, Navajo, Zuni and the Yavapai of the Prescott area. These inhabitants were mainly farmers. Who lived in the high valleys in the mountains. Which offered them protection from marauding tribes. Most of this area is rugged mountains. With valley elevations ranging from 4,000 feet, up to 7,000 feet. There main crops were, corn, beans, squash, tobacco and cotton. There home were called Pit-Houses. Which were partially built underground. Then using logs for walls and small timbers for roofing materials.

Hohokam (ho-HO-kum) The name Hohokam means, 'vanished ones'. The Hohokam lived the desert areas of central Arizona. There era was from 100 BC and survived till 1,500 AD. Known today as the Valley of the Sun. Which incorporates the Phoenix metro area. Mainly along the Gila and Salt rivers. Hohokam where the first canal builders of North America, and maybe the world. They would build canals up to 10 miles long. A good site to go to is www.pueblogrande.com It will show the canal system and other cultural artifacts. The Hohokam were also mainly farmers with crops of corn, beans, squash, tobacco and cotton. The Hohokam have a connection to the Mayans of Central America. They both had Ball Courts. And used a rubber ball in there games. Although the Hohokam games were far more passive. And were probably against other tribal units of the area. The Hohokam were also very great artist. They were the first in the World to do acid etchings. That they would use on sea shells. Which would have had to come up from Mexico. They also used copper, silver and gold in there art work. They even had "Time" for pets such as dogs and macaws. That surely had to be imported from Meso-America. Snaketown was the largest settlement and had over 1,000 residents. Today there is no idea what happen to the Hohokam. They left plenty of petroglyphs on what is called South Mountain. (my You Tube channel RD47blog) But no one has a clue what happened to this very sophisticated populace. Hence the name given to them, 'Vanished Ones'.

Anasazi (ah-nuh-SAH-see) 100 Bc - 1,300 AD Anisazi means 'ancient one or enemy ancestors'. They were from the Four Corners area know as. Where Arizona, Utah, Colorado and New Mexico meet. There first phase was from 100 BC until 700 AD. Then they were know as the 'Basket Makers'. And they also were farmers mainly. Growing the same crops as the other local tribes. They lived in Pit-Houses also during this era. After 700 AD they had a great change in there culture. They went form Pit-House to building elaborate Pueblos, or apartments. They located too an are know as Chaco Canyon. They also built there pueblos on the Mesa's of the area for protection. The in 1,150 AD they suddenly left the Chaco Canyon area and started living in Cliff Dwellings. I believe these were the original Hopi and Zuni tribes. Because of there arts and culture. They were mainly a passive people and were great at making. Dyed cotton clothing, silver jewelry, elaborate pottery and inlaid mosaic turquoise jewelry. Next I'll start with tribes of Arizona.

"God" bless
bye