Who were the anasazi - Essay Example

The Anasazi Anasazi broadly refers to ancient tribes of Native America who are thought to have resided in the Four Corners of Northern Arizona and Western Mexico; they also lived in areas adjacent to Utah and Colorado, ranging from 1-1300 AD (Hillerman pp1-25). Anasazi gave forth to the contemporary Pueblo People.Mostly, they are referred to as Ancient Pueblo People. Today, the term Anasazi is seldom used among the Pueblo people. Perhaps this is because the label means “ancient enemy”. Today, Anasazi is considered an ethnic slur.

The Anasazi culture somewhat remains strange, since there is no historic evidence or preservation of their culture. This ancient Pueblo civilization remains mysterious. Their economic activity was farming, gathering and hunting, especially during famine occasioned by drought and cold weather. The Anasazi people sheltered in clay made pueblos. The pueblos mostly housed many families at a time as expanding an existent pueblo was more convenient compared to erecting a new one. They spoke different languages, including Tiwa, Tewa, Zuni, Keresan, and Hopi.

They adorned clothing woven expansive frame looms and always made bracelets, earrings, necklaces, wood, turquoise and armbands. Their footwear included Moccasins, snowshoes and sandals (Hillerman pp25-27). Their religion was based on the belief in the significance of nature and its harmony with the universe. Vital religious practices involved observing the moon, stars, and sun. The Anasazi performed rituals and prayers to appreciate successful harvest and hunting. Clan classification was determined by female bloodline.

Conventionally, Pueblo societies were matriclocal and matrilineal. They appreciated unity and rarely went into war.Work CitedHillerman, Tony. A Thief of Time: A Novel. Harper & Row, 1988.