Desert People

THE INDIANS OF AMERICA

You must have heard of the American Indians who live in the Great Basin. These Indians are divided into various tribes and the two well- known tribes were the Hopi and the Zuni which live in in the south of the Great Basin, the Pueblo Indian territory. The anscestors of both the Hopi and the Zuni had roamed the Great Basin regions for thousands of years, but these two tribes were different from each other. The Hopi live on the high and dry Colorado plateau and coped very well with their environment though it was really difficult compare to the others. The major problem is that the place is lack of water for stable crop systems. But they can also solve the problem by harnessing flood waters to form raw irrigation systems, and by families sharing resources. So well- organised is the Hopi tribe, each member so cooperative and helpful, as a result, the tribe is so successful and peaceful for all the time. The lives of the Zuni people are more elaborated, with ceremonies and dancing. This is because of the Spanish conquistadores who once invaded here increased this emphaisis. They also cope well with the harsh situation though not as good as the Hopi. Apart from these two tribes of men, there is also the Pueblo tribes, famous for their amazing architechture in the desert. These houses are made of stone or adobe mud, as simple as just a thick wall and small windows. But the stonework was crafted with an exceptional degree of skill, so faultless that the joints are close- fitting. Inside the house, there are inbuilt water-storage and grain-storage containers. As for defending themselves, there are ladders which could be drawn up for escaping.