Traditional Songs of the Salt River Pima

by Earl Ray

The 'Akimel 'O'odham (meaning the "River People"), formerly known as the Pimas, live in the deserts of Arizona on the Salt River and Gila River Reservations. As some of the oldest residents of the American Southwest, the 'Akimel 'O'odham trace much of their agriculturally-rooted culture to the ancient Hohokam people. A member of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa tribe, Early Ray (known in Pima as Lo:dac) is a singer, linguist, and tribal activist and is currently the only one who reads and writes the Salt River Pima dialect. On this recording, Earl sings a collection of rare and historic songs evoking the rich mythology and cultural pageantry of the 'Akimel 'O'odham. Includes detailed notes, translations and transliteration of Sal River Pima words.

38:56 minutes — ©2005