David A Yetman

Interests

Research

Peoples of Northwest Mexico; ethnobotany; natural history of the Southwest;Peoples, cultures, and geography of the Americas; prehistory and natural history of Mexico.

Courses

No activities entered.

Scholarly Contributions

Books

• Becerra, J. X., & Yetman, D. A. (2017). Elephant trees, cuajiotes and copales: Bursera of North America.
• Yetman, D. A., Búrquez, A. M., Hultine, K., & Sanderson, M. (2020). The saguaro cactus: a natural history. University of Arizona Press.

Journals/Publications

• Yetman, D. A. (2018). Peace: A perspective from indigenous North America or What Yaquis and others can teach us about peace. You are here, 22.

Creative Productions

• Yetman, D. A. (2018. In the Americas with David Yetman. Public Broadcasting System. https://intheamericas.org
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  1 – Colombia’s Guardians of the HomelandsHomelands of the Arhuaco and the Wayúu people of northern Columbia offer sharp contrasts. Arhuaco occupy the southern slopes of the gigantic and isolated Sierra Marta, while the Wayúus live in the semiarid Guajira Peninsula in the Sierra’s rain shadow. Both suffer from relentless incursions of outsiders, each responding with its own brand of resistance.2. Medellín: A Colombian TransformationThree decades ago Colombia’s city of Medellín was a symbol for violence and narco-trafficking. Massive government intervention and an indomitable will have transformed the city into what some call “The Paris of the Americas.” The city's arts and urban restoration are an inspiration to large cities worldwide.3. Baroque pipe organs of Oaxaca Centuries ago Catholic religious orders from Spain created a Baroque culture among the Indians of the Mexican state of Oaxaca, overseeing the construction of elaborate churches and installing sophisticated pipe organs. Over the centuries the pipe organs ceased to function and deteriorated. An international group of specialists has restored many of the organs and treats us to concerts. 4. Huejotzingo in Arms: CarnivalHuejotzingo in the Mexican state of Puebla was a town for centuries prior to the arrival of Europeans. Today its Carnival celebrates a purely Mexican event: the defeat of the French in the Battle of Puebla in 1862. City folks hoard vast stores of gunpowder for this special day and many thousands don costumes for fake battles and kidnappings. A couple of hours' drive away in the town of Tlacayapan, Morelos costumed residents assume elaborate dress as they poke fun at the conquering Spaniards, in their peculiar Carnival celebration.5. From the San Juans to Moab by mountain bikeConnecting the San Juan Mountains of western Colorado and the Colorado River in Utah lies a route limited to hikers and mountain bikers. Bicycles are a lot faster, but it is not journey for the faint of heart--it's up and down mountains and valleys, from desert valleys to mountain forests. Our only refuge is huts.6. Islands in the Desert In southern Arizona a handful of mountain ranges jut up from the desert, producing a dramatic change in landscapes and habitats. They are called Sky Islands because their higher slopes are wetter and harbor animals and plants not found below. We visit three of the best-known islands and talk with people who know them best.7. Kites of the Dead in GuatemalaEach November 2, native peoples throughout Middle America celebrate the Day of the Dead. On that day they visit cemeteries where loved ones are buried, freshening up gravesites and adorning them with flowers while gathered around the graves. In one Guatemalan town, Santiago Sacatepéquez, the Kajchikel Mayas add a different dimension--a festival of kites. Kites by the hundreds are raised to the sky, including some sixty feet in diameter that are too large to fly.8. Under the Shadow of the VolcanoesGuatemala has more active volcanoes than any other country in North America. This portion of the famed "Rim of Fire" has left an indelible imprint on the landscape and on the cultures of the nation. With volcanoes come earthquakes and no city illustrates a greater heritage of both than Antigua. And no volcano has left a finer landscape than Lake Atitlán. Volcanoes destroy, however, and we visit a town recently overwhelmed by a nearby volcano.9. Drought and New Realities in the Southwest The Southwestern United States has suffered under lingering drought more than any other region. We track the dwindling Colorado River from its source through the once brimming reservoirs that generated electricity and stored water for millions of users. Now the realities of drought and dwindling water confront forty million users. We follow the river and speak with those affected by the changes in climate and water supply.10. Tlaloc's Revenge: Mexico City's Hydrological HeritageFive hundred years ago the basin where Mexico City lies was plagued with an excess of water. Now water is scarce. University of Arizona researchers Stacey Widlefield and Jeff Banister explain how, with fundamental alterations in social attitudes toward water, one of the world's largest and greatest cities is coming to grips with falling water tables, exhausted springs, and sinking earth. Somehow, the city endures.