O'odham society is based in the family, traditionally consisting of the parents, their children, and their sons' families. The Tohono O'odham are closely linked to the land. Baboquivari Peak is inhabited by 'Etoi, The Creator, and is central to much of the intriguing Tohono O'odham lore and oral tradition. First sustained contact with Europeans was in 1698 with Father Kino's missionary effort. The traditional Tohono O'odham view of wellness revolves around maintaining spiritual harmony among the individual, the family, the community, and the land. . .
Illness is thought to be the result of spiritual disharmony.
When this occurs, the medicine men and women, or Mak'ai, are sought out. They are regarded as having special powers and remain central to the health of the community and the overall scope of this complex health system. The Pascua Yaqui . With abundant water, they formed concentrated settlements, or rancherias, and practiced farming and hunting. The intrusion of Spaniards in 1533 was strongly and successfully resisted by the Yaqui, but they allowed Jesuit missionaries to become established.