Paiute (Numa) people occupy the vast area of the Great Basin Desert regions of Nevada, California, Oregon, Idaho, Arizona and Utah. The three cultural divisions of Northern Paiute, Owens Valley Paiute and Southern Paiute were further subdivided into smaller geographic groups. These people live on approximately 30 reservations with 10,000 people enrolled.
The Paiute adapted to the high desert by hunting and gathering such resources as pine nuts, roots, seeds, birds and fish. During autumn, the Paiute people conducted communal hunts for jack rabbits and antelope. These resources are dwindling in a misused desert environment and are a major concern for the Paiutes.
Basketery is considered one of the most exquisite art forms of the Paiute people.
Native American Desert Peoples Index
Prehistoric Desert Peoples Index
