Maricopa. An important Yuman tribe which
since early in the 19th century has lived with and below the
Pima and from about lat. 35° to the mouth of Rio Gila, south
Arizona. In 1775, according to Garcés,
their rancherias extended about 40 miles along the Gila from
about the month of the Hassayampa to the Aguas Calientes,
although Garcés adds that
"some of them are found farther down river." They call
themselves Pipatsje, 'people,' Maricopa being their Pima
name. Emory states that they have moved gradually from the Gulf
of California to their present location in juxtaposition with
the Pima, Carson having found them, as late as 1826, at the
mouth of the Gila. They joined the Pima, whose language they do
not understand, for mutual protection against their kindred, but
enemies, the Yuma, and the two have ever since lived peaceably
together. In 1775 the Maricopa and the Yuma were at war, and as
late as 1857 the latter, with some Mohave and Yavapai, attacked
the Maricopa near Maricopa Wells, south Arizona, but with the
aid of the Pima the Maricopa routed the Yuma and their allies,
90 of the 93 Yuma warriors being killed. After this disaster the
Yuma never ventured so far up the Gila. Heintzelman states,
probably correctly, that the Maricopa are a branch of the Cuchan
(Yuma proper), from whore they separated on the occasion of an
election of chiefs (H. R. Ex. Doc. 76, 34th Cong,
1857). Like the Pima, the Maricopa are agriculturists,
and in habits and customs are generally similar to them. Venegas
(Dist. Cal., II, 182, 185, 192, 1759)
states that about 6,000 Pima and Cocomaricopa lived on Gila
River in 1742, and that they extended also to the Salado and the
Verde; they are also said to have had some rancherias on the
west side of Colorado River, in a valley 36 leagues long. Garcés
estimated he population at 3,000 in 1775. There were only 350
under the Pima school superintendent, Arizona, in 1905.
By act of Feb. 28, 1859, a reservation was set apart for the
Maricopa and the Pima on Gila River, Arizona; this was enlarged
by Executive order of Aug. 31, 1876; revoked and other lands set
apart by Executive order of June 14, 1879; enlarged by Executive
orders of May 5, 1882, and Nov. 15, 1883.
No treaty was ever made with them.
The following rancherias and other settlements at
different periods are judged, from their situation, to have
belonged to the Maricopa tribe: Aicatum, Amoque, Aopomue, Aqui,
Aquimundurech, Aritutoc, Atiahigui, Aycate, Baguiburisac, Caborh,
Caborica, Cant, Choutikwuchik, Coat, Cocoigui, Cohate,
Comarchdut, Cuaburidurch, Cudurimuitac, Dueztuutac, Gohate,
Goias, Hinalua, Hiyayulge,
Hueso Parado (in part) , Khauweshetawes, Kwatchampedau, Norchean,
Noscaric, Oitac, Ojiataibues, Pipiaca, Pitaya, Rinconada,
Sacaton, San Bernardino, Sari Geronimo, San Martin, San Rafael,
Santiago, Sasabac, Shobotarcham, Sibagoida, Sibrepue, Sicoroidag,
Soenadut, Stucabitic, Sudac, Sudacsasaba, Tadeo Vaqui, Tahapit,
Toa, Toaedut, Tota, Tuburch, Tuburh, Tubutavia, Tucavi, Tucsani,
Tucsasic, Tuesapit, Tumac, Tuquisan, Tutomagoidag, Uparch,
Upasoitac, Uitorrum, Urchaoztac, and Yavahave.
