Wa:k Powwow

San Xavier del Bac
1950 W. San Xavier Rd., Tucson
520/294-5727

The Tohono O’odham were dry-farming and gathering juicy saguaro fruit in the Tucson valley long before the Spanish arrived, and they were often considered friendly allies to the Spanish, Mexicans, and Americans, all of whom fought viciously with the Apache, who were the historic enemies of the “Desert People” as well.

During the second weekend in March, the O’odham, formerly called the Papago, gather at the large open plaza at San Xavier del Bac [1] for a cultural festival featuring traditional dancing, drumming, arts and crafts, native foods, and other activities.