 Irrigation: a way of supplying water to crops with streams, ditches, or pipes  Staple: a main crop that is used for food  Ceremony: a special event at which people gather to express important beliefs

 Region includes present day Arizona and New Mexico. Also stretches across areas that we know today- Utah, Colorado, Nevada, Texas, and California >Part of the Rocky mountains > Large area of region is flat and desert >Small amount of rain

 Climate influenced the way Southwest Indians lived  Very dry area where trees would not grow; did not rain often  They were farmers; lack or rain affected agriculture  Used irrigation systems to help water crops  Irrigation systems were ditches, streams, or pipes that allowed water to be sent to crops in need of water  Water from the rivers flowed through irrigation system.

 Planted Corn deep in the ground so roots could get moisture from the earth  Crops were also planted in areas that flooded during the spring rains

 Trees did not grow since the land was dry  Built adobes- houses made of sticks, stones, and clay  Usually built houses on steep mesas to protect them from attacks

 Oldest Indian group in Southwest  Began living in Arizona before 1350  Lived in dry land  Used irrigation system to grow beans, squash, and corn  Corn was their staple crop

 Grew yellow, blue, red, white, and purple corn.  Grew a large amount of corn to last the entire year; stored in rooms in their pueblos  Hopis constructed pots from clay to store food and water in  First people to fire pottery; this makes pottery hard and strong

 Religion was important them  Believed creator led them to the Southwest  Felt they were meant to be caretakers of the land  Tried to keep land healthy; believed healthy land gave good harvest and rainfall  Caretaking of the land included prayer and yearlong calendar ceremonies

 Still follow cultural traditions  Still live in villages in Southwest  Still have dances and ceremonies  Skilled at making pottery, weavings, baskets, and silver jewelry  Today they hold jobs in local business and other professional fields.