Legumes in the Papago-Pima Indian Diet and Ecological Niche

The Papago and River Pima diets have historically been based on legumes rather than on grains or meats. Their selection of certain legume foods over other potential staples characterizes their ecological niches. The range of bean pod and seed foods utilized by the Northern Pimans are discussed in terms of folk taxonomy, protein content, preparation, and general importance. Their most important wild food, mesquite pods, and a key cultivated food, tepary beans, are contrasted in terms of yield, reliability, procurement, and protein quality. The nutritional implications of a legume dominated diet are analyzed.