Pápago Tribe

Several hundred Indians of the Pápago tribe still live in Sonora. This tribe, which is closely related to the Pima, also has about 12,000 members in South Arizona. In 1950 there were still 15,000 Pápagos in Mexico but the majority of these subsequently emigrated to the United States. It is believed that the Pima-Pápagos are descendants of the Hohokam people, whose civilisation flourished in the south-west of the USA from about ad 700 to 1400 (Pima: "the people who have gone"). This half-nomadic tribe, which has constantly feuded with the Apaches, became partially converted to Christianity at the end of the 18th c. by the Jesuits. In the middle of the 19th c. there were large rebellions which were however put down by the Mexican government. The Pápagos today live as farmers, hunters and gatherers. Their religion, which exhibits only certain Christian characteristics, embraces a belief in the immortality of the soul and includes the sun and stars among its deities. Its festivals, which have a strong dance element, generally take place in connection with harvesting and hunting. Their main Catholic feast day is October 4th (Día de San Francisco).