It was one of those experiences you see on "The Desert
Speaks:" an eye-opening exposure to culture and
the Sonoran sun. The camp was nestled in a forest of
sentinel Saguaro cacti crowned with mostly green gems.
When we arrived, our eyes were immediately drawn to
the poles made of dried Saguaro ribs joined with wire
and topped with a slender cross branch, ironically
used to harvest the lofty fruit. Stella Tucker, a member
of the Tohono O'odham tribe, gave a lesson on selecting
the choice fruit (this included a taste test of sweet
fresh pulp and of the dried candy-like treat from an
open fruit) and shared the blessing tradition of the
first crop. Avoiding the jumping Cholla cacti, we set
off in teams of two to gather what we could before
the sun set. Scouring the desert for the scarce pink
treasures was a daunting task, but we returned triumphant
with stiff necks, heavy buckets, and enough thorns
in our socks to build a float for the Rose Parade.
It was not time to relax, as the flesh had to be sorted
from the peel. The Saguaro was again a tool against
itself, for we used the end of the dried flower to
slice open the fruit. Many a finger fell victim to
hidden needles, but our efforts were rewarded with
a couple gallons of pulp. Only then could we feast
on the tepary beans, cholla buds, and homemade tortillas
that were graciously prepared by Stella and her helpers
in the customary Tohono O'odham style. As the full
moon rose and the stars came out, Stella told us more
about the history of Saguaro fruit harvesting with
her tribe. Many of us had questions about the fruit
we had picked, so Stella explained how jams, syrups,
and wine would be made. Despite our combined effort
in the sun, we learned our yield would only be enough
to make two or three jars of jelly. Stella also revealed
how she despaired of future generations continuing
the traditions that were so important to the elders
of the community, and how the Saguaro cacti were so
important to her that she considered them as family.
As we left the camp that evening, I realized that the
trip was more than an opportunity to harvest Saguaro
fruit. It was a brief but poignant insight to an endangered
culture, and our participation taught us to respect
and preserve the history of the Tohono O'odham people.
Jessica Bernier, URBPer in Dr. Ted Trouard's lab, Biomedical
Engineering
It was one of those experiences you see on "The Desert
Speaks:" an eye-opening exposure to culture and
the Sonoran sun. The camp was nestled in a forest of
sentinel Saguaro cacti crowned with mostly green gems.
When we arrived, our eyes were immediately drawn to
the poles made of dried Saguaro ribs joined with wire
and topped with a slender cross branch, ironically
used to harvest the lofty fruit. Stella Tucker, a member
of the Tohono O'odham tribe, gave a lesson on selecting
the choice fruit (this included a taste test of sweet
fresh pulp and of the dried candy-like treat from an
open fruit) and shared the blessing tradition of the
first crop. Avoiding 
the jumping Cholla cacti, we set
off in teams of two to gather what we could before
the sun set. Scouring the desert for the scarce pink
treasures was a daunting task, but we returned triumphant
with stiff necks, heavy buckets, and enough thorns
in our socks to build a float for the Rose Parade.
It was not time to relax, as the flesh had to be sorted
from the peel. The Saguaro was again a tool against
itself, for we used the end of the dried flower to
slice open the fruit. Many a finger fell victim to
hidden needles, but our efforts were rewarded with
a couple gallons of pulp. Only then could we feast
on the
tepary beans, cholla buds, and homemade tortillas
that were graciously prepared by Stella and her helpers
in the customary Tohono O'odham style. As the full
moon rose and the stars came out, Stella told us more
about the history of Saguaro fruit harvesting with
her tribe. Many of us had questions about the fruit
we had picked, so Stella explained how jams, syrups,
and wine would be made. Despite our combined effort
in the sun, we learned our yield would only be enough
to make two or three jars of jelly. Stella also revealed
how she despaired of future generations continuing
the traditions that were so important to the elders
of the community, and how the Saguaro cacti were so
important to her that she considered them as family.
As we left the camp that evening, I realized that the
trip was more than an opportunity to harvest Saguaro
fruit. It was a brief but poignant insight to an endangered
culture, and our participation taught us to respect
and preserve the history of the Tohono O'odham people.
