SAGUARO WINE CEREMONY OF THE O'ODHAM

Introduction

For the Tohono O'odham, the saguaro wine ceremony is the most important ritual of the year, since it is necessary to insure the coming of the summer rains. The ceremony begins in the late spring when the saguaro fruit beings to ripen. The O'odham move out of their homes and into temporary camps in saguaro stands to collect the fruit of the cactus. A long pole made of bound saguaro ribs is used to knock the fruit from the cactus. The fruit is collected in baskets and carried back to camp to be processed. The fruit is placed in a ceramic container and left to soak in water. Foreign substances that float to the surface are skimmed off. The container is placed on a fire and the fruit is boiled thus producing a syrup. After boiling, the syrup is strained and the pulp and seeds are dried in the sun and eaten or used to make flour, jam, and other foods. The syrup is poured in ceramic pots, sealed, and left to ferment for a few days. The final product, saguaro wine, is ritually consumed during the four-day rain ceremony, a village-wide celebration that includes song and dance that promotes rain, fertility, and general well-being in the community.

Background on Saguaro

The Sonoran Desert, extending from southern Arizona into northwestern Mexico, is home to the saguaro cactus, one of the largest cactuses in the world. The Sonoran Desert provides the necessary conditions that allow the saguaro to grow: rocky soil, adequate rainfall, and daytime temperatures that stay below the freezing point. The plant grows very slowly, taking more than 150 years to reach its full height and size, which can exceed forty feet. After approximately 100 years, the cactus may begin to grow its characteristic arms. During the summer and winter rainy seasons, the accordion-like structure of the cactus allows it to expand and retain water that can be later used during the dry months. The cactus blooms late in the spring, around mid-April, and then produces a red fruit that is eaten by animals and used by people to make jam, flour, and wine.

Examples of Saguaro Wine Making and Associated Material Culture

Figure 2.3.10  This O'odham man is knocking off the fruit of the saguaro using a pole made from saguaro ribs. The "ribs" of a saguaro are the internal woody frame of the plant that give it its unique structure. This picture also demonstrates how rich the Sonoran Desert is. Note the diversity of plants surrounding the men. (© Arizona State Museum)

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