Introduction
The Upland Yumans were hunter-gatherers and horticulturalists (unintensive farmers) who inhabited a vast and rugged territory in what is now north-central and northwest Arizona. This area is elevationally diverse, containing altitudes ranging from less than 1800 feet to more than 7000 feet above sea level. This elevational diversity results in substantial environmental diversity, which the Upland Yuman people exploited by travelling seasonally back and forth between the pine-covered plateaus and the hot, sage-covered deserts. Two tribes comprised the Upland Yumans; the Pai (the Havasupai and Hualapai) and the Yavapai. Although members of the two tribes spoke the same language, the Pai and the Yavapai were traditional enemies and considered themselves to be separate people. Today, the Upland Yuman people live on five reservations, one occupied by the Hualapai, one by the Havasupai, two by the Yavapai, and one by both Yavapai and Apache.
Map of Upland Yumans Past and Present Territories
Instructions: Using the slide button on the lower right hand corner, toggle between Upland Yuman Past Territories and Upland Yuman Modern Reservations pages. You can also click on the tabs on the top of the map to learn more. The selected page is highlighted in blue.
Required Readings
Griffin-Pierce Chapter 8
Learning Objectives
- Students will be able to describe the origins and early history of the Upland Yumans
- Students will be able to describe the variations in settlement and subsistence patterns and social organization that characterize the different Upland Yuman groups
- Students will be able to describe major historical events that have impacted Upland Yuman lifeways
- Students will be able to describe some of the issues that the Upland Yuman people have faced and continue to face in modern times
- Students will be able to define major terms and concepts relevant to understanding the Upland Yuman cultures
Major Concepts
- Horticulturalist
- Cataract Canyon
- Agave
- Harvest Dance
- Peach Festival
- La Paz
- Wii'gleva
- Supai
- Grand Canyon Skywalk
- Uranium mining
- Red Butte
- Bird Dance
- Yavapai Wars
- General George Crook
- Skeleton Cave Massacre
- Dr. Carlos Montezuma
- Orme Dam
Additional Resources
The following videos are optional for your exploration but highly encouraged.
Videos showing how agave hearts are roasted
Video of Pai bird dancers
Click on next page to continue.