The University of Arizona
Saguaro cactus with fruit
Closeup of harvesting fruit with a picking stick
Arizona State Museum, The University of Arizona
Saguaro Harvest Traditions of the Tohono O'odham
Discussion Questions
IntroductionVideo TranscriptionRelated ResourcesCredits

Below are some possible questions to use in a discussion related to the information included on these web pages.

Woman cooking Saguaro fruit
Tohono O'odham woman cooking Saguaro fruit.
Photo by Helga Teiwes.

  • What type of plant is the saguaro?
  • What is the natural habitat of the saguaro?
  • Who are the Tohono O’odham?
  • What is saguaro harvesting?
  • How is the saguaro used by the O’odham?
  • What time of the year is saguaro harvested?
  • Why are saguaro harvested each year?
  • What is used in saguaro harvesting?
  • Can anyone make a picking stick?
  • How does one make a picking stick?
  • What kind of clothes should you wear for protection?
  • What happens after the saguaro is harvested?
  • How do the Tohono O’odham make saguaro wine?
  • How do the Tohono O’odham use the saguaro wine?
  • What else is the saguaro fruit used for?
  • How much fruit does it take to make jam, a lot or a little?
  • What do you think saguaro fruit tastes like?
  • Can anyone harvest saguaro?
  • What role does the saguaro fruit harvest play in Tohono O’odham culture?
  • Why is the saguaro harvest special to the Tohono O’odham?

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