- The American southwest contains a unique variety of people and landscapes. There are usually more Native American cultures in the Arizona and New Mexico areas than anywhere else in North America.
- Within those native American cultures, there can be Navajo, Hopi, and Apache Indians in Arizona and multiple Pueblo Indian societies located in the proximity of the Rio Grande in New Mexico.
- The Southwest is home to some of the most ancient Hispanic communities in the U.S., as well many of which go back to the 16th - 17th century Spanish conquest.The clothing native Americans wear vary on their religion, beliefs, and environment.
- Native Americans lived in harmony with their environment using it to survive.
- Native Americans usually lived in harsh environments where there were only mountains, rock, and a sun blasting down on them all day.
- The cool weather caused some tribes to make and wear more clothing while warmer weather caused a little amount of clothes to be worn.
- Most native Americans survived by hunting, fishing, (some tribes graze animals) and gathered edible fruits and vegetables.
- Every tribe in American southwest specialized in something related to survival. Some tribes specialized in farming and agriculture while other were good at hunting and crafting weapons out of rock and sticks from the surrounding environment.
- Mostly all the tribes traded with each other. If one tribe was out of food maybe they would trade clothes, animals, or even jewelry. Turquoise was the main jewel used throughout all the tribes. It was considered to be a jewel of good fortune and symbolized happiness.
- Almost all types of native Americans believed that environmental things like plants and animals have spiritual power.
- Tree bark was one of the most abundant resources in many areas and they were stripped dried and shredded to make fibers for clothing. Most clothing was made from women who also created fibers.
- Most Indian tribes had a selected leader and would follow his orders. Most of the Native American tribes would paint the faces of warriors so that could symbolize bravery and courage. The Indians would usually live in pueblos and have small villages. The chief of the village would become chief through war and fighting. There was no monarchy or republic. If a man symbolized leadership and bravery on the battlefield they were considered a chief.
- Blankets weren't only used for warmth, but to Native Americans they were considered as a source of artistic expression as well as a valuable trading item which gave economic sufficiency. Usually worn around the shoulders like a cloak.
- Many Native Americans believed in spirits and were basically intertwined with Mother Nature. Everything in Native American culture was tied to a spirit.
- Native American stories are deep within their tradition and they are very closely related to Mother Nature.
- Some types of modern culture adapted some of the Native American cultures into their own with the use of materials like symbols, for example, New Mexico has the sun as a symbol on their flag which originated in many different Native American tribes
- For funerals the Native Americans would make a wooden totem or would add on to a previously created totem and would carve the face of that person or would carve in a spirit animal that they believed they were tied to when they died.
- During the night time when kids are asleep, there are these so called "creators" who made dreamcatchers for the children so they could block out the bad dreams and the nightmares.
- When Native Americans wanted to communicate over long distances they would use smoke signals for messages.
- Mexican American Cultures
- Almost all of Mexican Americans are Catholic specifically of the Roman Catholic branch.
- Mexican Americans are known to value their families as well as making others feel welcome when hosting parties or other events.
- Classic Mexican foods include Corn Tortillas, Flour Tortillas, avocado, beans, and tomatoes
- Clay art if a very typical art style used by many Mexican Americans. Crafts such as pots pans, and vases are made from the clay and then painted into to meet satisfaction of the creator
- A Mexican-American woman living in a rural area might have a unique, Mexican wardrobe. They include skirts, sleeveless tunics that are called huipiles, and capes known as quechquemitls. A man’s wardrobe might include a large blanket cape called a sarape, and boots.
- Almost all of Mexican Americans are Catholic specifically of the Roman Catholic branch.