Bands of Gardeners: Pai Sociopolitical Structure

Abstract

In a recent AIQ article Timothy Braatz concluded that "in identifying Pai subtribes as significant and enduring sociopolitical groups, Dobyns and Euler over-formalized aboriginal Pai organization (our emphasis)."' Braatz's article criticized statements in an ethnohistorical monograph we published in 1970.2 Braatz reached his conclusion using such tortured logic and disregarding so many data that we here offer a corrective comment. We discuss these topics: (1) economic camp, (2) band of kindred, and the issue of the similarity of the Havasupai to other Pai bands, (3) irrigated horticulture, and (4) subtribes.