Recently, I took a trip up to Northern Arizona to Tuzigoot National Monument(Too-zie Goot), but unfortuneatly I didn't have a guide. So I summoned the powers of the Spanish Gods to bring me the King of Tuzigoot. The only compromise? Provide glasses and regular human clothing to keep him "incognito" amongst the commoners.
He began with his story of his people...the Southern Sinagua. It was a prehistoric culture that once flourished in the Verde Valley but around the early 1400's disappeared for unknown reasons. "King Tuzigoot" explained that it may bave been from overpopulation, disease, changes to weather patterns, and depletion of natural resources. And with the Spanish conquistadors and their own beliefs, he said many of his people changed their spiritual ways. He also explained to me that he was surprised that this place was still preserved hundreds of years later.
He missed the old days and tried to summon his people from on top of the hill. These were the fields were his people worked and lived. But a road and developing suburb stained the landscape and reminded him that his people no longer existed. No trace left behind but these ruins.
In the winter, much of the land appeared brown and dead, but the Verde River nearby supplied fresh water and opportunities to hunt for food. While appearing like nothing more than a moderately sized home by our standards today, this village was inhabited by around 50 people. Eventually it doubled in the 1200's. And again later, and this is when the people would disappear. I explained that the same thing was happening on our Earth with the ENTIRE human race. He simply shook his head and together we both said, "Birth control. "
One part of the land was for harvesting corn and other crops. While on the other, trees covered another area which made great habitat for wildlife like birds and deer.
King Tuzigoot recalled his days milling corn and he smiled.
He also noticed a beautiful visitor center and an entrance fee of about 5 dollars. I explained to him that in our culture today we "traded" this money for food, education, maintenance, etc. and that this paper would help preserve the memory of his people.
So he went to the other side of the hill and looked over the riparian section where he chanted and placed a magic spell over his former home so that it would be forever preserved for others to learn about his people and their past.
From inside his home, we sat and enjoyed a bit of shade from the intense sun.
Sadly, we had to depart as the gates to his park closed at 5 PM. I explained that it was necessary to protect his home from vandals and those who would do harm to his lands. He said good-bye to the tourists below, but they ignored him and went on their way. I shook his hand and thanked him for the tour. I drove back to Tucson with a lot to think about that evening.
For more information on Tuzigoot, click
here. Easy walk for everyone. On the day we went, there were 50-60 year old people with their parents. It was really touching and a great way to spend time with family. It's kid and people with special circumstances friendly. Wheelchair accesible except for the very top of the village.
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