Papago Woman: An Intimate Portrait of American Indian Culture

I had to read this book for a school report. It kept me interested and I actually READ it instead of just skimming. Normally, I will donate books I do not like and I decided to keep this one to read again later. The Papago culture is beautiful and interesting. I have to say, it was pretty strange when the anthropologist (I read it 3 months ago so I don't recall her name) was trying to go to sleep and the villagers (whose house she was at) started having sex!!! Right next to their visitors and children...(they all sleep in the same room). It took me a minute to wrap my head around what she was trying to describe was happening.

As an employee of the BIA, Underhill worked for years among Indians of the Southwest, particularly the Papago (now Tohono O'odham) and Dene. One individual she knew well was a shaman who shared what she had learned because of their friendship. The shaman claimed that she became a shaman because of finding a rock, no doubt a chrystal. Underhill elicited all the other contacts, and possiblities for learning about shamanism, that the shaman had, as well as putting the shamanistic knowledge and practice into context. Thus the book is an excellent introduction to the Tohono O'odham culture and some of its history.The book was published for use in introductory anthropology courses but has proved useful for tourists and others in Arizona interested in a people living in the desert and as nearby neighbors.