Tohono O'odham family celebrates tradition during saguaro harvest

In the Arizona borderlands, the Tohono O'odham community is experiencing a resurgence of the sacred saguaro harvest, which marks their new year. This tradition entails carefully harvesting saguaro fruit, a vital resource for the O'odham, offering shelter and sustenance to various desert creatures. Families gather for this ritual around late June, coinciding with the feast day of St. John the Baptist, integrating elements of both their Catholic and Native American spiritual beliefs during a Mass held at their desert camp. Hiking to their harvesting location, Maria Francisco and her family set up a ramada adorned with paper flowers, where they honor their ancestry and their connection to the land. The community recognizes this ritual's importance, as it fosters a deep connection to their heritage and the natural environment. With new generations learning to pick saguaro fruit, such as Maria’s young daughter, the hands-on experience reinforces the community's commitment to preserving their way of life and passing down traditions. In the backdrop of their spiritual practices, the Tohono O'odham navigate the historical context of their Catholic faith. Spanish Jesuit missionaries, like the Rev. Eusebio Kino, introduced Catholicism to this region in the late 17th century. Despite the complexities stemming from the colonial history that involved violence and oppression, many O'odham maintain a blended approach to spirituality, articulating their faith in ways that resonate with their cultural identity. As each family member participates in the ritual, be it through worship or the labor of harvesting, they embody the collective strength of the Tohono O’odham Nation. The celebrations not only mark the fruiting season but also emphasize the community's resilience and their resolve to honor both their Native traditions and their Catholic faith, nurturing the bonds that tie them to their ancestors and the sacred land they inhabit.