Hohokam or Huhugam?
|
| Map of prehistoric Hohokam region. |
Archaeologists call the ancient people of the Sonoran Desert “Hohokam.” The O’odham people living in the region today refer to their ancestors as Huhugam. Although “Hohokam” and Huhugam are similar in spelling and pronunciation, they have distinctly different meanings.
|
| Map of tribal communities in central Arizona circa A.D. 1700. |
Important questions in Hohokam research have focused on what happened to these ancient groups and how they are related to modern Native Americans. The observation that they vanished from the archaeological record centuries ago, yet have living descendants in the area, has long posed a dilemma for archaeologists.
In this exhibit, the term Hohokam is used as a type of archaeological “shorthand” to refer to particular ancient groups based on distinct pottery manufacturing techniques, architectural traditions, and other customs. Hohokam, as an archaeological term, is limited to a specific time period. Huhugam is more inclusive.
|
| Map of tribal reservations today. |
Hohokam traditions changed and eventually disappeared as immigrants arrived and the region’s population declined over many generations. The few people still living in the area during the 15th century are not considered part of the Hohokam archaeological culture, because their pottery, architecture, and other traditions had changed. Nonetheless, they were Huhugam, the ancestors of the O’odham.
O’odham explanation of the term Huhugam…
Hohokam Traditions and Lifestyles…
Key Points:
Hohokam is the name of an archaeological culture. It refers to people who lived in parts of central and southern Arizona between A.D. 450 and 1450.
Hohokam is not the same as Huhugam. Huhugam is an O’odham word for all O’odham ancestors, including those known to archaeologists as the Hohokam.
Hohokam groups practiced irrigation agriculture and built complex canal systems. Their architectural, pottery-making, and mortuary traditions distinguish them from other ancient groups in the Southwest.
This online exhibit was created in partnership with Pueblo Grande Museum, and is made possible by grants from the National Science Foundation.
