The Yaqui, the Hiaki, or the Yoeme, are indigenous Mexican-Ut-Aztecans to the Río Yaqui region of Mexico’s state of Sonora and the southwestern United States. They also have communities in Chihuahua and Durango.
Yaqui culture originates in Mexico and most of them settled in United States in 1884 leaving behind their affluent farmland in Mexico.
The Yaqui tribe eats the maize, beans, and pumpkin crops. Yaqui men hunt deer, rabbits, and small game, and sometimes fish in the Gulf of Mexico. Yaqui women collect nuts, fruit, and herbs. Yaqui’s favorite foods included cornmeal and soups.
Following are some common words you should know if you are learning about Yaqui Language.
Yaqui Language Words for Beginners
Following is a list of Yaqui words with their meanings in English:
| English | Yaqui |
| Calm | Kopalai |
| Five | Mamni |
| Four | Naiki |
| Man | Takaa |
| Moon | Meecha |
| One | Seenu |
| Rough | Ba’amojakte |
| Sun | Taa’a |
| Air | Jeeka |
| Baby | Ili Uusi |
| Cloud | Naamu |
| Darkness | Kutwaate |
| Dew | Siijo’ote |
| Divorce | Su’utojiwame |
| Dust | Toochia |
| Earthquake | Bwia Emo Yoa |
| Father | Achai |
| Fire | Taji |
| Land | Bwia |
| Light | Tachiria |
| Man | O’ou |
| Match | Seriom |
| Moon | Meecha |
| Mother | Maala |
| Mud | Techoa |
| Ocean | Bwe’u Baawe |
| Parents | Yo’owam |
| Person | Bato’i |
| Plain | Pa’aria |
| Rain | Yuku |
| Sea | Baawe |
| Sky | Teeka |
| Smoke | Bwichia |
| Snow | Sapam |
| Soil | Bwia |
| Star | Choki |
| Steam | Jaawa |
| Stone | Teta |
| Storm | Yuku Jeka |
| Sun | Taa’a |
| Swamp | Ba’ajeelo |
| Light | Taya |
| Marry | Kuuna |
| Two | Woi |
| Water | Vaa’am |
| Woman | Huubi |
| Help | Ania |
| Love | Waata |
| Happy | Allea |
| Hate | Omta |
Let’s now learn about the colors associated with Yaqui community –
- Red represents the blood shed to protect the people of Yaqui, their country, their culture and their religion.
- White symbolizes air purity.
- The blue symbolizes the sky where Yaqui’s mother, Maala Mecha, and Yaqui’s father, Achi Taa’ah, live.
The Yaqui deer dances are sacred and rarely photographed. The dance tells the story of the relationship between the Mayo people and the land, and the traditional dance is of highly importance for the well-being of the communities staying and living today.
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