Since 1900, the damming of rivers has reduced the ability of the people to grow their own food, and forced them to purchase processed food. Snack foods or low-priced foods are frequently filled with more fat, sugar and salt than most. Weaving, known as Hohata has been an important Tohono O'odham activity for centuries. Talented weavers are able to make many useful items using products from the desert and the skill of their hands. Hoha is the Tohono O'odham word meaning baskets of many types.
Baskets are extremely useful and can be used for a variety of purposes.
A basket is used for storage of food as well as personal belongings. A special style of basket is used for winnowing grains. The Tohono O'odham also made a special basket for carrying heavy things. In addition, basketry weaving techniques are used to create trays, sleeping mats, walls and doors for brush houses, traps, hats, bags, brushes, cradle boards, sieves, water jug handles and headrings for carrying water jars on the head. The ability to make so many different things by weaving natural fibers emphasizes the long-lasting relationship the Tohono O'odham have had with their desert environment.