The desert smells like rain : a naturalist in O'Odham country

Published more than forty years ago, The Desert Smells Like Rai n remains a classic work about nature, how to respect it, and what transplants can learn from the longtime residents of the Sonoran Desert, the Tohono O'odham people. In this work, Gary Paul Nabhan brings O'odham voices to the page at every turn. He writes elegantly of how they husband scant water supplies, grow crops, and utilize edible wild foods. Woven through his account are coyote tales, O'odham children's impressions of the desert, and observations of the political problems that come with living on both sides of an international border. Nabhan conveys the everyday life and extraordinary perseverance of these desert people. This edition includes a new preface written by the author, in which he reflects on his gratitude for the O'odham people who shared their knowledge with him. He writes about his own heritage and connections to the desert, climate change, and the border. He shares his awe and gratitude for O'odham writers and storytellers who have been generous enough to share stories with those of us from other cultural traditions so that we may also respect and appreciate the smell of the desert after a rain. Longtime residents of the Sonoran Desert, the Tohono O'odham people have spent centuries living off the land—a land that most modern citizens of southern Arizona consider totally inhospitable. Ethnobotanist Gary Nabhan has lived with the Tohono O'odham, long known as the Papagos, observing the delicate balance between these people and their environment. Bringing O'odham voices to the page at every turn, he writes elegantly of how they husband scant water supplies, grow crops, and utilize wild edible foods. Woven through his account are coyote tales, O'odham children's impressions of the desert, and observations on the political problems that come with living on both sides of an international border. Whether visiting a sacred cave in the Baboquivari Mountains or attending a saguaro wine-drinking ceremony, Nabhan conveys the everyday life and extraordinary perseverance of these desert people in a book that has become a contemporary classic of environmental literature. Longtime Residents Of The Sonoran Desert, The Tohono O'odham People Have Spent Centuries Living Off The Land - A Land That Most Modern Citizens Of Southern Arizona Consider Totally Inhospitable. Ethnobotanist Gary Nabhan Has Lived With The Tohono O'odham, Long Known As The Papagos, Observing The Delicate Balance Between These People And Their Environment. Bringing O'odham Voices To The Page At Every Turn, He Writes Elegantly Of How They Husband Scant Water Supplies, Grow Crops, And Utilize Wild Edible Foods. Woven Through His Account Are Coyote Tales, O'odham Children's Impressions Of The Desert, And Observations On The Political Problems That Come With Living On Both Sides Of An International Border. Whether Visiting A Sacred Cave In The Baboquivari Mountains Or Attending A Saguaro Wine-drinking Ceremony. Nabhan Conveys The Everyday Life And Extraordinary Perseverance Of These Desert People In A Book That Has Become A Contemporary Classic Of Environmental Literature.--book Jacket. O'odham Sounds Xi -- The Desert Smells Like Rain: An Overture 1 -- Chapter 1 On The Trail Of I'itoi -- A Pilgrimage Into The Baboquivari Mountains 11 -- Chapter 2 Throwing Up The Clouds -- Cactus Wine, Vomit, And Rain 23 -- Chapter 3 What Do You Do When The Rain Is Dying? 39 -- Chapter 4 Changos Del Desierto -- Growing Up On The Reservation 49 -- Chapter 5 Raising Hell As Well As Wheat -- Papago Indians Burying The Borderline 65 -- Chapter 6 Plants Which Coyote Steals, Spoils, And Shits On 75 -- Chapter 7 Where The Birds Are Our Friends -- The Tale Of Two Oases 87 -- Chapter 8 Gathering 99 -- Chapter 9 Given Over To Santos And Spices -- Magdalena's Fiesta 111 -- Chapter 10 You Make The Earth Good By Your Work 121. Gary Paul Nabham. Originally Published: San Francisco : North Point Press, 1982. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 133-148).