Prayer Sticks

Object/Artifact

New Museum Los Gatos

Name/Title

Prayer Sticks

Entry/Object ID

2011.46.9.A-C

Description

Three wooden prayer sticks, of varying lengths. Each stick has a line across the center, dividing the prayer stick into two halves.

Collection

History Collection

Cataloged By

[email protected]

Ethnography

Cultural Region

Region

Southwest

Continent

North America

Culture/Tribe

Akimel O'odham

Native American

Notes

From the ancient Hohokam, who used to live in the area where the more modern Pima people live.

Lexicon

Nomenclature 4.0

Nomenclature Primary Object Term

Stick, Prayer

Nomenclature Sub-Class

Religious Objects

Nomenclature Class

Ceremonial Objects

Nomenclature Category

Category 08: Communication Objects

Other Names and Numbers

Other Numbers

85A

85B

85C

Dimensions

Width

3/8 in

Length

1-1/2 in

Dimension Notes

For 2011.46.9.A

Width

3/8 in

Length

2-1/4 in

Dimension Notes

For 2011.46.9.B

Width

1/2 in

Length

1-1/4 in

Dimension Notes

For 2011.46.9.C

Material

Wood

Condition

Overall Condition

Good

Provenance

Notes

Phoenix, Arizona area, where the Gila and Salt rivers meet.

Interpretative Labels

Label

This is a "Prayer-Stick" of the ancient Hohokam. Hohokam is from a Pima Indian word meaning "those who have gone." They lived in the river valleys in the area where the Gila and Salt Rivers meet, in the neighborhood of present-day Phoenix, Arizona. They were an agricultural people, and their canal system was well-developed by A.D. 700. The "Prayer-Stick" has two compartments: one for grain and the other possibly for water.