Tohono O'odham Indian reservation
in Southern Arizona

Papago - Signifying "bean people," from the native words papah, "beans," and ootam, "people."

Location

The Tohono O'odham Nation consists of four smaller Papago Indian reservations.
Tohono O'odham Reservation stretches 90 miles across the southern boundary of Arizona, the reservation actually extends into northern Mexico, too.
To the north of Tohono O'odham is the smaller Gila Bend Reservation.
To the east is San Xavier Reservation, near Tucson.
And, east of the Gila Bend Reservation is the much smaller (20 acre) Florence Village, just west of Florence Arizona.

In the territory south and southeast of the Gila River, especially south of Tucson the main and tributary valleys of the Santa Cruz River; and extending west; and southwest across the desert waste known as the Papagueria, into Sonora, Mexico. The location of Tonhono O'odom Nation allows easy access from Tucson and many other Southern Arizona destinations. Sells Arizona is the nation's capitol and just 15 miles to the south lies Baboquiivari Peak, legendary home of I'itoi, the Papago Creator.

The tribe is noted for pottery and basketry.

For more information
or to contact the tribe:

Tohono O'odham
P.O. Box 837
Sells Arizona 85634
520-383-2221

Connections;

The Papago belong to the Piman-branch of the Uto-Aztecan linguistic stock and stand very close to the Pima.

I ' ITOI
MAN IN THE MAZE
     The maze appears on pottery, weaved bowls and baskets

      The man at the top of the maze depicts birth. By following the white pattern at the top, the figure goes through the maze encountering many turns and changes as in life. As the journey continues, one acquires knowledge, strength and understanding. Nearing the end of the maze, one retreats to a small corner of the pattern before reaching the dark center of death and eternal life. Here one repents, cleanses, and reflects back on all the wisdom gained. Finally pure and in harmony with the world, death and eternal life are accepted.