Photo Essay: Tohono O’odham Families Carry On Sacred Saguaro Fruit Harvest

"TUCSON, Ariz. — The saguaro cactus is the iconic plant of the Arizona borderlands, and in June and early July, its thorn-covered small fruit ripens.

For members of the Tohono O’odham Nation, whose ancestors have lived in this hot desert for thousands of years, harvest time for the “bahidaj” is sacred.

The towering saguaros — which live 200 years and routinely reach 25 feet (7.6 meters) in height — are part of the O’odham creation story, and are considered family."

Ross D. Franklin and Giovanna Dell’Orto report for the Associated Press July 2, 2025.

SEE ALSO:

"A Tohono O’odham Family Integrates Catholic And Native Beliefs In The Arizona Desert" (AP)

"Why Tohono O’odham Nation’s Centuries-Old Saguaro Fruit Harvest Is Experiencing A Revival In Arizona" (AP)