The Cochise of Arizona

Bill Ellis

The Cochise were a tribe that lived in what is now southeastern Arizona near the town of Cochise. At that time, the climate was cool and moist.

There was plenty of game approximately 10,000 years ago.

Later the climate became hot and dry after the glaciers receded. The buffalo left and game became scarce.

To live, the people became hunter-gatherers. They had grinding stones to grind their grain. They still were not farmers.

Later, they learned how to grow their own corn and other grains. Evidence of ancient cultivated corn has been found in a bat cave in New Mexico.

Later, the Cochise became the first farmers in the United States. They learned to grow squash and beans from the farmers in Mexico.

The Cochise built primitive pit houses. They would dig a shallow hole, then roof it over with sticks and small branches. They learned to weave useful baskets from the yucca and the agave. They also made crude pottery.

Eventually, almost all of the Indians in North America learned to farm. Their houses were made of wattle, sticks covered with mud. If you believe mud wattle isn't durable, go to Europe. They still have houses made of wattle that were built in the 1600s.

Wado



Chalupas
Well, a chalupa is just a flat taco. To make your own, fry the corn tortillas in hot oil until they are crisp. Remove and place on paper towels to absorb the excess oil. Spread with refried beans. Cover with picadillo. Top with chopped lettuce, tomato and cheese.