 |
Is there proof that Palms preceded Whites?
Until such practices ended in the 1920's, W. filifera palms were used for millennia by Native Americans. These palms figured centrally in sacred traditions and were used for food, shelter and low grade weaving. Curiously, only known to have been used by groups of Uto-Aztecan stock. The Wahirio, ToHono O'odham, Cahuilla (of Palm Springs), Pima and the Moapa of Southern Nevada are all related. All traded with one another for hundreds if not thousands of years. Researchers know this. It is considered FACT. It is also KNOWN FACT that all the other groups (besides Moapa) used this palm. Now apparently we know that the Moapa did as well. Why should this surprise anyone?!
Can we be sure Moapas used Palms?
In 1996, Four Moapa Elders made statements regarding early memories of their grandparents using Palms for Food, shelter or baskets. Some of these memories may date to the early 1920's. Some still own special bedrock mortars in which food preparation of Palm fruit was accomplished!
Moapa local Climate, riparian flora and hydrology are identical in all important respects to other known areas with Native Palms. It is well known that the Moapa had a 900 year plus association with Colorado River trade routes.
|
|
The Warm Springs of the Moapa are also a tributary source of the Colorado & a natural highway to other palm cultures. Linguistic and anthropological factors shared with other palm cultures should not be ignored.
Less conclusive but highly interesting are highly stylized Petroglyphs found 800 km away - among Pima tribal lands in Mexico - which are also found within three kilometers of groves in Moapa in two locations. These are juxta-positioned near glyphs closely resembling mature palms. The Pima have traditionally made use of at least two species of Palms since ancient times.
The Moapa have stated:
'Among ourselves We have always known that Whites did not bring the palms.... Our Grandparents always said that the palms have always been here!'
|NEXT PAGE|
Just 2 more pages...
|