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Yuma (Quechan)

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Location:

Southwest United States. The Yuma (you-ma) traditionally lived in the Colorado River Valley. Other areas of residence include Southern California, Arizona and Northern California.

Language:

Yuman

Traditions:

The Yuma traditionally made their houses with a frame of logs and poles and had a thatch or arrow weed covering, which was also covered with sand. Their house was only usually visible from one side to keep the extreme heat out and they used to ground to help cool their homes. The ground plan of their homes was usually rectangular or had a square shape, and the dimensions were 20 by 25 feet. The door was in the middle of one side of the house, and it was always located on the south side due to the extreme heat. The roof was very flat and had four pitches, and this was also covered with sand. Their fireplace was near the door because there was no smoke hole and because the warm climate made it unnecessary for them to use heat during much of the year. These houses were usually occupied by a number of family members.

The Yuma Indians were grouped into loose bands of an average of 135 people, but during most of the year they broke into small extended families of 25 people. These bands were usually lead by headmen who had good war records and who spoke freely about economic and military matters. They were also sometimes organized into tribes of 2,000 to 3,000 members who were then lead by chiefs.

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Though this page has been carefully researched, the author does not claim expertise on Yuma culture.

Please send questions, comments, and corrections to emuseum@mnsu.edu and include the web address of this page.

If you are Yuma, your feedback is much appreciated.

 

ITCA: Inter Tribal Council of Arizona: Fort Yuma-Quechan Tribe http://www.itcaonline.com/tribes_quechan.html

 

References:

  • Notes from "The North American Indian" By: Es Curtis
    • http://www.curtis-connection.com/tribe%20data/yuma.html
  • "The Yuma Crossing" By: Gregory T. Jones
    • http://www.pr.state.az.us/text/yumaaxmgstory.html
  • Indians of North America By: Harold E. Driver Publisher: The University of Chicago, 1969
  • The Americana Encyclopedia. Volume 12, 1994 Americana Encyclopedia Inc.
  • Encyclopedia Britannica Online

Written by: Andrew Hedlund & Nicolle Wigham